Let the Carnival Good Times Roll

It's the season of Carnival -- the 40 days before Lent begins -- all over the world, and if you're lucky enough to be traveling this month, you might see Carnival street happenings where you are at any time, including the US of A where parades in New Orleans happen up until the tourist-packed finale on Fat Tuesday, *the* Mardi Gras day on February 20. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 21, when it's all over but the cleanup.

Carnival (or Carnevale or Carnaval, depending on where you're parading) and Mardi Gras resources:

• Carnival Celebrations Around the World
• Mardi Gras in New Orleans

_{Photo: In Italy's most mysterious city, parades started on February 11 and the masks come out February 20 for Venice's Carnevale. Photo © Martha Bakerjian}