You know, that succulent sweet spot of South Louisiana, where you can “pass a good time” pretty much anywhere you happen to be standing?
Lafayette might be the unofficial capital mon cher, but you can find a “Fais Do Do” going on weekly pretty much anywhere. This is true from Morgan City to Marksville, Grosse Tete to the Sabine, and many other places right in between.
Saturday mornings down in Mamou, you can go to Fred’s and practice your two-step you. You can also have a beer for breakfast, and tell stories about old Taunt Sue.
You can “pinch da tails and suck da heads” in Breaux Bridge much of the year, but it can be a competitive endeavor during the world famous Crawfish Festival here.
In Acadiana, you can have your po-boy “dressed” any way you want, and enjoy the “Holy Trinity” in every Étouffée, gumbo, and jambalaya you get to taste from Houma all the way to Crowley.
There is hunting and fishing and shrimping, oh my. You can gather baskets and go crabbing . . . which is so much fun to try.
And yes, there are festivals a-plenty to add to your bucket list, but you can be steeped really deep in Cajun tradition if you drink in the sights, sounds, and smells of a big Cochon de Lait. Be sure to get up to Mansura during their long running party, because nowhere do they know how to hang a hog better than there, and it’s a annual favorite fun family affair.
Acadiana’s motto whether you’re in Thibodaux or Pierre Part, Cocodrie or Carencro is “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler” . . . and we really mean dat for every one of you . . . and for “your momma and dem” too!!!
For Mardi Gras, you can take your crew to see a royal Krewe in Lake Charles, and join the chorus of people shouting loudly, “trow me sumting mister!” at each passing float.
But if you want to see a real Cajun rooted Mardi Gras, you’ve got to go visit Ville Platte. Because let me tell you mes amis, that’s where Louisiana’s Fat Tuesday is really at.
On any given day in Acadiana, you can paddle your pirogue to Plaisance . . . or carry your derrière to Pecaniere.
You can always find a local restaurant to satisfy an “envie” . . . and then like nowhere else in the world, you can make a quick pass at da shack for a drive through daiquiri.
Acadiana is the land of “parishes” . . . where you’re much more likely to score some “lagniappe” . . . than you are to suffer from a “gris gris” cast by a voodoo queen.
We holler “Geaux Tigers” and “Geaux Cajuns” . . . and we build championship bonfires to guide Papa Noel down da bayou. We light up Cottonport at Christmas every year for all to enjoy the season . . . and its real reason.
Whether you’re in Lafayette, Rayne, Eunice, Scott, Bunkie, Abbeville, or New Iberia . . . you can always pick up cracklins from a locally owned store . . . who’s purveyor probably has status galore.
Acadiana is indeed the best sweet spot that a sweet state could ever be so lucky to have. It has something to satisfy the curiosity cravings of every one of your young and every one of your old . . . also for each of your timid and your bold.
South Louisiana folks red line the meter on joie de virve; not just ‘cause there is so much here to see. That joy of life is ingrained in our core, this you will learn from our legends and lore.
So come on down and “make us a round” mes amis. Come taste the boudin and all other cuisine, because we don’t want you to leave here looking too lean. Stop in anywhere and just say bonjour or good day. You’ll find that we all just laissez les bons temps rouler!
