About The Book
Hitchhiking—today, it conjures images of drifters, outcasts, and uncertainty. But in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was a rite of passage, a way for young dreamers—especially “hippies”—to experience the world. My Trip to Mardi Gras is the true story of one such journey, told through the eyes of an ordinary Midwestern teenager who dared to take the road less traveled. As high school graduation loomed, college seemed like the expected path. But the narrator had other plans. He craved adventure, freedom, and the unknown. What began as a simple urge to see the world soon became an eight-month odyssey of survival, self-discovery, and transformation. From bustling cities to forgotten highways, from fleeting friendships to life-changing encounters, this journey reshaped not only where he went—but who he became. The book also includes two reflective short stories: The Rise and Fall of a Dictator, a cautionary tale about an ill-equipped school principal, and My Affair with Katrina, a deeply personal account of resilience in the face of a natural disaster. At its heart, My Trip to Mardi Gras is more than just a travel memoir—it’s a coming-of-age story, a glimpse into a bygone era, and a testament to the experiences that define us.
