Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras! This is the last week of Mardi Gras, which is most famously celebrated in the US in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the American version of Brazil’s Carnivale. Around this time of year, many people often travel to New Orleans to celebrate. If you’d like to find out more about how the locals celebrate Mardi Gras, you could watch the documentary called Don’t Worry Honey: I Live Here at: http://www.nola.com/mardigras/video/?/mardigras/video/content.ssf/localmghi.wmv
You could also visit New Orleans’ official website at: http://www.nola.com/
Assignment:
Unfortunately, New Orleans is still devastated by the effects of Hurricane Katrina. So, for this assignment, you are going to listen to an excerpt from a public radio show called Weekend America Online where they discuss whether or not Mardi Gras should take place.
You can listen as many times as you like, and when you’re ready, answer the questions I give you, which you will turn in for a grade.
You need Real Audio Software to listen. Click here to get it.
Blog Question:
What’s your opinion? Do you think they should celebrate this year or wait until next? Why or why not? Blog the answer to this question, and feel free to respond to your classmates’ opinions too.
posted by Leah @ 11:04 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Hi Dear my teacher and classmates!
This is a very difficult topic, is'nt it? I actually agree with both point of views. The devastation of hurricanes brought tremendous tragedy. Many people died, lost their houses, cars, jobs, everything. Therefore, when I think about those people, they should not celebrate Mardi Gras. However, in other hands, they need to be encouraged by celebrating Mardi Gras in order to live with hope. ummm... but if I have to make an opinion, I kind of disagree with celebrating Mardi Gras. because there are still lots of people who have not been able to get back nomal life as the speaker said. They could wait until next year. but still difficult..... ummmm.....
I totally disagree to have Mardi Gras this year, because the devastation of Hurricane Katrina it is so recent. I understand that the celebation would be nice to encourage people that the spirit of the city didn't die. However, the city should concentrate more in those people who lost their houses and need the money to rebuilt their houses and their lives. I think one year without Mardi would not be bad... maybe next year people would be happier to celebrate when they have their wonderful city back
When I heard about festival 'Mardi Gras', it might encourage the people whp are suffering from herricane 'Katrina' in New Orleans. As listening this audio article, I have changed my mind. Especially, I'm so impressed with Greg's opinion. He said that Mardi Gras is a festival for New Orleans people, but they still couldn't go back their hometown. How can we enjoy the festival without them? Through this article, I believe that it gave us the opportunity that I think about unsolved problem of Katrina.
I totally agree that they have Mardi Gras because this is one of annual events in Louisiana. If they don't have the event, it means they may destory their tradition. Yesterday, we watched the news about this event a little bit, and as you guys know the budget for this year's event was a lot lower than last year's because of Hurricane Katrina, which was very shocking and tragic. But I think they have to keep the city and people who suffered from the disaster up with fun events such as, Mardi Gras. I just can not stand remaining any sad situation. We got to do something that is so much fun
Hello everyone.
I'm wondering how can I hear this listening activity. Actually, I have been trying since the day before yesterday.. but it doesn't work in my computer. when i clicked "listen to the clip" link, i could downloaded just "18_prw_02.ram" file.
If you guys know that why this link doesn't work, plz tell me~
Dear my lovely classmate^^ & Leah..
according to this assignment, i agree with u guys but not including Kohei's idea..
i mean i disagree to celebrate Mardi Gras thi year. it should be postpone to next year,isn't it?. also, it is not the right time to celebrate because people are still suffering from the devastration ofHurricane Katrina. and, i was surprised after i looked at the cost that they spent for this celebration. infact,i think they can use this cost to rebuild this city again.
And, Jasueng.. i think you should try to open it with the real player because i faced the same problem with you last night.
anyway, i hope u guys have a great spring break time with lots of fun and relaxtion.
see ya soon.
Hey guys,
If you're having trouble listening, make sure that you have real player installed. You can get the free player from:
http://forms.real.com/netzip/getrde601.html?h=software-dl.real.com&dc=31228227&f=windows/RealPlayer10-5GOLD_bb.exe&p=RealOne+Player&oem=dlrhap_bb&tagtype=ie&type=dlrhap_bb
Hi guys,
Nan was right I could listen to the clip after I had downloaded Real player.
Before I heard the clip I agreed with the idea of having Mardi Gras this year. It might encourage people in difficult times and they could forget about their problems for a while.
Now I agree with Greg Stafford that Mardi Gras is for people of New Orleans and not all of them are there. They cannot come back, they don't have houses to live in....and money should be spend for helping those people. There are still so many problems in that city and Americans should not have the impression that it's getting better just because they are celebrating again.
It is a difficult matter because there are differents kinds of feelings and thoughts involved. On one hand, some people want to see a better New Orleans today with their own particular hapiness, music, parties. On the other hand there are people who are still devastated by the hurricane and feel that Mardi Gras should wait until the entire city has been completely recovered.
I agree with the thought that Mardi Gras should wait. This city someday will be again the great city that it was, and by then New Orleans will have had its infrastracture completely fixed, its hotels, restaurants, and services working in good conditions in order to welcome the tourists that will enjoy a better Mardi Gras.
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