It's the first Mardi Gras since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. But this Carnival season sounds jubilant to DERRIK J. LANG.
Marching bands rev up the crowds in between parade floats. (AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)
"Woohoo!"
It's a battle cry you haven't heard much in New Orleans during the six-month aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Now, during the city's 150th Mardi Gras celebration, it's hard to get away from woohoo.
The same goes for the jazz that wafts out of bars and lounges in the French Quarter, the percussion of marching bands stomping down St. Charles Street, the chirpy chimes emanating from riverboats on the Mississippi River and the rock tunes blaring along Bourbon Street.
Turn on the television and it's easy to see that New Orleans becomes its most colorful during Carnival: shiny plastic beads, highly detailed floats, exuberant masks, flavorful food. But it's just as much a feast for the ears as for the eyes (and taste buds).
Even though it's only been about half a year since Hurricane Katrina, the sound of joy is inescapable in New Orleans this Mardi Gras. In this audio essay, asap finds a city rejuvenated with music, laughter, cheering and -- of course -- lots of woohooing.
To listen in, click on the audio player above on the right, or you can download the audio report here.
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asap reporter Derrik J. Lang is in New Orleans covering the sights, sounds and smells of Mardi Gras 2006.
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