. . . the Sages of the Talmud stated that one should drink on Purim until he can “no longer distinguish between the phrases arur Haman (‘Cursed is Haman’) and baruch Mordechai (‘Blessed is Mordecai’).” – Wikipedia

It’s not clear if they were drunk enough for that, but they were having a good time nonetheless. I’m not Jewish and I’ve never even heard of Purim, but I enjoyed a glass a wine myself.

Purim is a holiday when Jews celebrate that fact that they survived Haman’s plot, that which would have killed off each and every one of them. During the holiday, it’s common to read the megillah, donate to the poor, eat, and drink (as already described). I did find one video of a parade, including costumes, be I believe that this is not the norm. But, in New Orleans, would there ever be another way a day like this? Of course not.

The culture of New Orleans, the requirement to parade, makes all that would be private, public. It creates the opportunity to express our differences in a way that is a part of the culture of everyone. That is what convinces me that this place is special. We rejoice in our differences, but we do it together, creating a unique gumbo, as they say.