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The Big Easy: New Orleans
With the temperatures dipping below zero and the streets of New York looking like a ghost town, it’s only logical to think of going somewhere warm and inviting. The first thought that popped into mind was New Orleans. I think the combination of black history month, carnival season and the craving of beignets made it an obvious choice. Speaking of beignets…the best place to indulge in those powdery bites of fried dough would have to be Cafe Du Monde. Just make sure you aren’t too hungry when you get there. It’s not a well kept secret and the lines show it!
I know we are over a week removed from Mardi Gras but there is still plenty to enjoy in the Big Easy. Strip Clubs are plentiful and your pockets better be too. Once the drinks starts rolling you may find yourself in the huge playpen of Rick’s Cabaret which could lead to a good bad decision. You know what I mean!
If you love live music and up close and personal entertainment, New Orleans may be just what the doctor ordered. There’s always a way to avoid the blues and enjoy yourself. One of the more notable establishments to catch some authentic jazz would have to be Maison Bourbon. You won’t be disappointed.
Just taking a stroll down Bourbon Street will lead you into one of the million bars calling for your attention and looking to test your liver. You’re also likely to bump into an impromptu party or two at any turn you may make. You can accomplish both of those feats and then some once you find your way into the Cats Meow. The combo of drinks and partying will have you belting out some of your favorite tunes on center stage in no time. Karoke anyone?
New Orleans is also one of those historical cities that preserves enough of the past to get a feel for different generations before us. Filled with colonial style architecture, trolley rides traversing the city and reminders of the civil war…you’re truly traveling through history. Jackson Square is the perfect venue to take it all in and find a tour to feed your curiosity.
Any tour you may choose to take will guide you through one of the more interesting cities in the world with equally entertaining stories of how they became so unique. Plenty of those anecdotes revolve around ghost stories and fine dining. Experience it all at Muriel’s Jackson Square restaurant. It’s a memorable destination whether you’re into the food or folk tales.
Lastly, make sure when you venture down to NOLA to keep a watchful eye on your belongings. There is no shortage in the pick pocketing community. They even tried to help themselves to these guys. You can check on their well being and tear down some cajun food in New Orleans Musical Legends Park.
That should give you enough reason to carve out some time and experience New Orleans. If not…ask Beyonce. She’ll tell you!
Almost every year for the past 6 years and on the same day, I’ve posted the same pic of me in the hospital during my temporary and untimely demise in 2015. A few weeks after I was back to “normal”, I asked Eric “Why’d you take the pics?” And he said, “I knew you would want to write about it if you lived.” Eric was right. Eric was often right and Eric always had my best interest at heart. I am going to miss my friend.
You ever meet someone and become friends immediately?! Well this was not the case with Eric. Before he was my manager at Morgan Stanley, I would often see this 6’4″, giant white guy walk up to the only black woman at work, say something then walk away without any hint of human emotion. Naturally I thought he was a jerk until I asked her “Yo, is that dude bothering you?” She laughed and proceeded to tell me he was a great person, which I ultimately got to experience first hand. Little did I know this Italian from Staten Island was more Brooklyn than most Brooklynites.
Eric was not with the shits!! If there were ever someone who lived their life in direct, honest and no uncertain terms, that would be Eric. He would ask me questions at work like “Why are the other consultants making more money than you?” I knew the answer to that question and so did he. Eric then proceeded to increase my salary by 15K. After arguing with all our managers that “You need to hire Alfred!”, they eventually did 1 year prior to the 2015 incident. In the hospital, one of my friends asked me, “What if you didn’t have health insurance when this happened?” I would be in debt for the rest of my life is the obvious answer. I still am in debt for the rest of my life but at least, it is to those who made sure I had a more enjoyable life and for that, I will gladly repay.
My mom loved to tell me the story of how she met Eric. After they told her I was going to be in the ICU for some time, she told the doctor “Well I’m not going anywhere.” She then hears a voice from that back of the room that says “Well I’m not going anywhere either!” That was Eric and in true form, he was at that hospital every single day until I was discharged.
Eric passed away in December 2021 of stage 4 cancer. After feeling faint on his way to my bbq, he went to get checked out and was diagnosed. During the past 5 years, Eric lost his mom, twin brother and dad. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have felt like but I’m glad that pain he was feeling is no more.
From being my manager to my business partner, writer, book editor, artistic director, and most importantly, my friend, I am going to miss you MC Krispy E a.k.a “Enrique Pollazo!” And although you told me Enrique means Henry in Spanish and not Eric, it was too late!
Sidebar. The day I was discharged, while everyone was deciding what was best for me, no one had remembered that I would need clothes in order to leave the hospital. Eric shows up (unasked) with all the clothes I had on the day I coded, laundered and ready to go. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve friends like this but i need to keep doing it! Sidebar complete.
Rest in Peace Eric. “Be Good.”
I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a panel discussion on writing your first book, presented by the Harlem chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Alongside Jim St. Germain, Author – A Stone of Hope: A Memoir and Dr. Keneshia Nicole Grant, Author – The Great Migration and the Democratic Party: Black Voters and the Realignment of American Politics in the 20th Century. We opined on pain points, benefits and strategies regarding our inaugural voyages into authorship. Feel free to watch for your self and I hope this provides some insight to all those looking to make the same voyage. Enjoy!
