Louisiana is divided into Parishes rather than Counties. Acadiana is comprised of the Parishes of St. Mary, St. Martin, Iberia, Vermilion, Lafayette, Acadia, Evangeline, St. Landry and Calcasieu. The area was settled by French Acadians who were driven from Nova Scotia by the British. There is also a large Black population who prefer to be known as Creoles.

Lafayette is the hub of Acadiana. It is a pretty good place to live. The population is approximately 100,000 and rising. The economy is booming and residential and business construction is at an all time high. Winters are mild but summers are semi-tropical (lots of humidity). Location is at the intersections of I-10 and I-49; 135 miles West of New Orleans and 100 miles East of the Texas border.

The people are a dichotomy: nice, kind, generous and helpful, but there is the old Cajun temper lingering below the surface. Anger can flair up quickly only only to disappear in the next moment. There is also a very conservative mindset. The cause is simple: too damn many Republicans. Being a University town (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) does not help because so many of the students are conservative. But that's the way it is.

Lafayette does have a lot of gay citizens. Some out and some in the closet. There is not much open hostility to gay people. On the contrary, it seems that gay life is accepted quite well. A recent publication of a local newspaper headlined the gay aspect of Mardi Gras. Certainly the Krewe of Apollo Mardi Gras Ball is accepted by most of the populace as a positive community event. There are a hell of a lot more straight people than gay people at the Ball. Lafayette has another Gay Mardi Gras Krewe by the name of Unicorn. While not as prominent as Apollo, it's ball is more relaxed and usually a lot of fun.

In addition to Mardi Gras, the area has an abundance of good music and great food. Festivals abound. Lafayette itself has two worthy of mention: The Festival International and the Festival Acadiens. The first is a celebration of music of the French speaking world and the second is Acadian/Zydeco music. Both are a lot of fun!

On this site you may find a few banners to click on which take you to another site. When you do so, we earn a few pennies. All funds collected are donated to Acadiana CARES. This an organization providing assistance to our area through education and direct assistance to persons who are HIV positive.

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