Zulu coconuts

Flying with King Cakes and Rubber-tipped spears?

It’s Mardi Gras season and the folks at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) have some intriguing travel advice posted on the Web site:

king_cake

What to do when traveling with a King Cake:

King cakes, filled and plain, can be brought through the security checkpoint.  But, please be advised that king cakes are subject to additional screening.

Other Mardi Gras Items:

Rubber tipped spears and Zulu coconuts will be allowed through security and may be subject to additional screening

What’s a King Cake?  According to the city’s official tourism Web Site, NewOrleansonline.com:

It’s a traditional confection “made of braided Danish pastry, laced with cinnamon. It is always iced in the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power). Hidden in each king cake is a tiny plastic baby. The person who finds the baby must buy the next king cake or host the next party.”

Zulu coconuts? They’re the most most coveted Mardi Gras souvenir.

msy-mardi-gras

(Photo courtesy: Jean-Paul Gisclair and NewOrleansOnline.com)