Up the Mississippi River from New Orleans are the "River Parishes," home of Cajun Culture.
My friend Russell, who lives in St. Charles Parish, agreed to show me how the residents celebrate Christmas Eve. It was a rainy drive... part of a record breaking rainy December.
It seems that Papa Noel lives deep in the bayou... making toys for children. On Christmas Eve he gets in his bateau and, pulled by eight aligators, navigates the interlocking canals and passageways along the river.
But often it is foggy on Christmas Eve, so the locals build bonfires to help guide the bateau. This one had a sign "Cajun Fireplace"
There are quite a few of them built... and, if the weather breaks, they will be lit just after dark.
It's a family tradition, with certain families owning rights to build the fires.
Sometimes folks get creative...
And this one, built by the fire department (!!) is beautiful!
Russell and I drove back downstream and got some lunch, and it was still raining.
But when I got back to Community Church for the Christmas Eve service, the rain had ended.
Joyeux Noel, y'all!
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