Mobile in Mobile

We walked through the various historic districts on a 10K volksmarch in Mobile. The houses ranged from antebellum through early 1900s to post WWII. A few used the original gas lamps on their front porches.

Many of the buildings in Mobile have historic designation which makes remodeling impossible, maintenance costly, and selling problematic. We saw a 7000 square foot, three story home in need of some work on sale $650,000. The public buildings like restaurants warn “facility” users that the plumbing is original (175 years old in some restaurants) and must be treated with respect.

After our walk, we went to the Mobile Carnival Museum. What we saw in Natchez was no where near as lavish as the costumes here. Post Revolutionary War, cotton planters decided to celebrate Mardi Gras. After the War of Northern Aggression and during Reconstruction, the practice returned with more groups forming. MAMGA, the association of black groups has had its own parades and societies since 1939. The two groups share many activities. Mardi Gras has stopped only during the two world wars.

The costumes can cost as much as $25,000 and some include crystal and pearls. The robe’s have trains eight to ten feet long.

The king is always called Felix III, the queen by her own name. The black king is Elexis I. Their duties include hosting the gala ball and well as dinners and other events throughout the year. They each have their own dinnerware and sterling services. The commitment is huge and some have been known to refuse.

We went in to admire the stained glass windows in the Cathedral and went down to the crypt where its bishops lie.

Jerry took Anna Lee out for an early Mother’s Day brunch at Spot of Tea where she relished Eggs Cathedral, a crab benedict, and Jerry enjoyed bananas foster french toast. Sated, we crossed the street to shop at the farmer’s market where we got some privet honey (anyone ever heard of it?)