This is one of the few days each year (well, O.K., the ONLY one, really) during which I wish I was Catholic. I mean, any festival which owes its existence to the long period of self-deprivation and abstinence to come deserves our rapt attention and reverential respect, and I hereby propose that people of all faiths (and none) become Catholics-for-a-day to participate, if only vicariously, in the colorful pageantry and drunken debauchery. (Preaching to the choir, ain't I?)

So as you prepare to attend the local observance of your choice, don't forget that Mardi Gras and Carnivale are two sides of the same base metal doubloon.

To wit:

Any joker, masked or otherwise, can hang out on Bourbocam on Fat Tuesday; but if you want to move beyond beads and boobs (and who among us doesn't? Seen one set, seen 'em all, right? And here I refer to the beads, of course...), here are an array of Carnivale destinations submitted for your approval:

History/background of Carnivale.

Carnivale in Sicily.

Carnivale in Venice.

Yowza! Carnivale in Rio.

On this page, click on "Watch the Carnivale of Venice video now." Toto, we're not in NOLA anymore.