You can't rain on our parade: Mardis Gras in Sydney

People travel all across the world to witness the spectacle of Mardi Gras in Sydney, and for good reason. The city turns into an eccentric festival in celebration and support of gay rights. And even though the rain hadn't ceased since we arrived at Sydney , we would not let it "rain on our parade" as our group that signed up for this weekend trip with Extreme Adventures marched to join the party. Bystanders would see neon colors, tight tops and short shorts..oh and the girls dressed up too.

We left for the bar we would be V.I.P at around six o' clock and the sights we saw on our mass migration of  Mardis Gras advocates only foreshadowed the flamboyance and bizarre things we were to encounter at the actual parade. The crowd was adorned in feather boas, sequin bra tops, high heels, obnoxious make-up ..and some of the girls dressed up too. Really though let me take this time out to reinstate that the more scandalous an outfit the greater chance it was on a guy.

The streets were a blinding sea of sequins, glitter, only allowing colors in their most brilliant shades to meander through the waves of onlookers. People watching was a sport. If you blinked too slow you missed a jaw-dropping outfit that completely outdid the one before.


The parade is set off annually by the "dikes on bikes." They were leather jacket-wearing, spikey-haired, stud embellished women confidently setting off the parade like they owned it. And by the looks of the size of some of them, I wouldn't dare to argue otherwise. They fiercley rode thorugh the rainy streets commanding the repsect and attention of every onlooker, whether out of fear, intimidation or just plain awe.Their opening was followed with crazy floats of all lights and colors calling for equal rights for gay marriage to support that love knows no boundaries or discrimination. People were crawling over each other to get a good look, as other retreated to the sidewalks where there were plenty of "Sausage Fests" and vendors selling food, stools to see the parade better, and accessories to further enhance costumes. The streets were swarmed with people who all seemed to be united for the cause.

Overall I'd say the day was just as rewarding as it was shocking. It was great to be a part of a Mardi Gras celebration that was about earning respect and recognition, opposed to earning a couple strands of shiny plastic beads.