As a little girl growing up in Pensacola, I always went to the parades downtown. Mardi Gras parades, Fiesta of Five Flags parades, Veterans Day, Christmas. Of all the Krewes that took part, my favorite was the Mayoki Indian Krewe. They always had the best floats, the shiniest costumes, and threw the best beads and prizes. Even Moonpies! (You gotta be from the area of New Orleans-Mobile-Pensacola-Ft. Walton beach to get that one.)
As a college student, I remember being in a Village Inn at 1:30 in the morning after a parade night, and the resturant was totally empty. Next thing we knew, 60 Mayoki Indians come in, in full costume, drunk as skunks. They were hilarious - so much fun!
As an adult, I was so thrilled to be approached by a Mayoki to attend a prospective membership event. (It is very difficult to become a Mayoki. You have to be invited to join.) Unfortunately, Bart and I moved to Atlanta before we could pursue my Mayoki dream.
Fast Forward 10 years. We now live in Tampa, home of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. I have a minor obsession with all things Pirate, and I don't quite know why. It may be that I have some far-back realtions to the infamous female Pirate Anne Bonney. It may be that I've listened to too many Jimmy Buffett songs. It may be that I wish I had a sailboat that I could putter around in and fly the Jolly Roger. In any case, a Pirate Festival that happens every year is right up my alley.
As in Pensacola, the Krewes in Tampa are notoriously hard to get into. Many are by invite only, and even if they aren't, there is a rigourous application process. You have to attend events as a non-member. You have to pay a HUGE fee. You have to be interviewed, and sometimes provide references.
Not one to be put off by such trivialities, I began searching for a Krewe. Not only would it allow me to live out my Mayoki dreams, but it might also tie into my whole Pirate thing too. AND it's a great chance to meet some new people and also participate in some very worthwile charitable endeavors.
My search began by limiting the search to all-female Krewes. (Bart's 100% not interested in doing this at all...) There are quite a few in Tampa - 10 or so. next I looked for Krewes that had been established for awhile. Then I cut out the ones that were invitation only (that would be the Bonney-Read Krewe, which I was greatly interested in). Then I reviewed the charities (some are social only.) Then I read the history of the Krewes left, and the story of how they were named.
One stood out from the rest: The Thieves of San Lorenzo. They are a large Krewe (capped at 130 members), established in the late 90's. They will accept applications, but you have to go through the process to be considered. You have to be 30 or older, so that eliminates all the drunk and puking 22 year olds. They are named after a bunch of women who had their homes sacked and their belongings stolen while their husbands were at war. So they stole back what was theirs. They are generally Pirate-themed, and the pics look like they have a great time.
I can afford the fees (sort of. Bart can.) I like the charities. I have the references (I can produce my Mayoki contact as well as references from my parent's Krewe. (My mom and dad, along with my Godparents, were longtime members of the Krewe de Bienville in Mobile, Alabama. I was actually "presented" by my Dad to the King of Mardi Gras at a ball in 1992.) I have the time, I have the interest. So I'm going to go. I'm hoping I can persuade a few people to do it with me, but if not I'll forge ahead alone.
I doubt the process will move fast enough for me to make it on a float this year, but maybe next year. I will keep you posted on my aspiration to become a "Thieve".
