Abroad in Houston: Mardi Gras Galveston Laissez les bon temps rouler.

Revelers celebrate Mardi Gras in Galveston Island's historic Strand District on Saturday, February 7, 2015. Revelers celebrate Mardi Gras in Galveston Island's historic Strand District on Saturday, February 7, 2015. Photo: Andrea Waguespack/Houston Chronicle Photo: Andrea Waguespack/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 77 Caption Close Abroad in Houston: Mardi Gras Galveston 1 / 77 Back to Gallery

Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday. A holiday we can all get behind, no matter what language it's translated into.

Technically held on the day before Ash Wednesday, this festival spans for a few weeks prior to the official holiday in order to get the eating, drinking and general debauchery out of our systems before we give it up for Lent.

Even as a child growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I recall thinking that Mardi Gras should be celebrated after Lent. As in, "We did it! We were able to give up chocolate for 40 whole days! Let's party!" Obviously I was outvoted on this one.

RELATED: Mardi Gras photos from the 1930s and beyond

Mardi Gras is seen in many different forms around the world, including Brazil's Carnival, but the Louisiana style is the one that took hold of Texas.

It came over to Galveston in the 1800s, with the first recorded festival occurring in 1867. The first grand-scale celebration, however, wasn't held until 1871.

Mardi Gras continued in true form on the island until 1942, when World War II meant, among other things, a shortage of men and materials. For the next 40 or so years, the island's festivities lay dormant until 1985 when George P. Mitchell and his wife Cynthia (of Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands fame) revived the event.

RELATED: HoustonChronicle.com suggests local Mardi Gras events

That was then. This is now. Check out the slideshow above to take a peek at the Mardi Gras 2015 festivities in Galveston's historic Strand District.

This is the first installment in a series titled "Abroad in Houston," where you'll learn how to travel the world without leaving town. I'll be exploring the unique cultural and ethnic festivals, restaurants, districts and traditions that make up Houston.

Where in the world (in Houston) should I go next? Let me know in the comments section below.