1. Mardi Gras 2 weeks for a city with some smaller stuff in other cities vs Carnival which is nation
2. Actually Mardi Gras pre-dates Carnival but you probably knew that
3. Carnival is about the Queens, Princesses, and Samba Dancers vs Mardi is basically a bunch of various kings (yawn) who reign (double yawn)
4. Both Roman Catholic origins.
5. Probably more resources behind Mardi Gras but Carnival just shows u what poor people can do
6. Mardi Gras = Social Clubs (alcoholics) vs Carnival = Community (stronger)
if you like things more organize and 1st world balls than MG is your thing. if you like a 2 day spectacle but are ok with crashing poverty but REAL poeple then ur at home with C.
u already know my answer.
similar - crime up the A-Hole both
Never wanted to go to Mardi Gras, just looked like a bunch of drunks and women lifting their shirts up for beads (and most of the women are unattractive), the floats seems okay, but this is America, so it seems quite tame. I know people who are from NO, and they tell me it's okay.
Carnival seems more of a celebration, huge, more put together, prettier women (more focus on the Queens, Prinesses and Samba, like you said), and then there are capoeiraistas, and the older ladies in white, and the floats seem to have better themes. Overall the energy seems bigger and better with Carni. But as you said, it shows what poor people can do.