Look, I know Mardi Gras can make things crazy. However, I had no idea exactly how crazy until I tried to book a room for this weekend. CZ’s dad’s in one of the super krewes, so it’s a tradition for her family and friends to spend the weekend downtown. Last year she had booked us into the Sheraton. The insanity of Canal St during Mardi Gras was a first for me. People EVERYWHERE! The hotel was just okay though, so this year I thought we could Priceline a room. We started trying to bid in December. I tried off and on until a couple of weeks ago. Things were getting serious. Obviously for major events, PL is a failure. I was trying multiple websites, Kayak, PL, Expedia, to no avail. The only places available were on the wrong side of St Charles or too expensive. I would try day after day and check multiple times a day. Finally, after getting home from a cooking class where I learned how to make gumbo, I tried kayak and found success. We got a hotel in the warehouse district, for roughly the same price as staying at the Sheraton (WAY MORE than I wanted to spend but at least it’s not $400/night), but this place has free breakfast. WIN! It is across the street from a club that’s going to have free shows all weekend. WIN WIN! We can also walk to everything and the WH has more places with cheap drinks. WIN WIN WIN! Sure, maybe I’m paying the same amount as 4 star hotel to stay at a 2.5/3 star place, but I’m saving on parking, drinks, taking a taxi, and worrying about breakfast in the morning. The free concerts across the street won’t hurt either.