My favorite daily comic strip is Pearls Before Swine. Anyone who knows me, knows that I obsessively laugh at the witty puns and general humor of the strip. Occasionally, Stephan Pastis will create a more poignant and thought provoking strip which continues to endear me to the strip. Throughout yesterday morning I began to noodle on how I was going to write the entry for this week. The lunch was unique and wonderful, how was I going to capture it properly? Then I read Sunday’s Pearls Before Swine – the theme and the timing were absolutely impeccable.

When I went on my music trip last fall, people would stop me as I was telling my travel story. “Wait. You did this alone?” In a matter-of-fact manner, I replied, “Yes.” It never occurred to me that I shouldn’t have done that trip alone. In hindsight, I am absolutely happy that I did and I would do it again if given the chance.

My lunch this week was with a warm and charming woman whom I met while I was in New Orleans. Last September, Rhonda and her girlfriend from college, Michael were meeting for dinner and drinks at a restaurant called Peche. When I arrived, the restaurant was busy with only seating at the bar. I sat down at the corner and ordered my drink and obligatory raw oysters on the half shell (ala …When in Rome...)

I happily devoured my appetizer and sipped on my Old Fashioned. The ambiance and general energy were pleasantly easy to absorb. The gentlemen to my right were two computer IT nerds catching up on the latest Raspberry Pi and Python computer language excitement. Yes, I know I am in IT when I am not on Coffee Break, yet that seemed dull and unexciting to me.

To my left sat Rhonda and Michael. I could ascertain they hadn’t seen each other in a while as they were comparing notes along with sharing memories of days gone by. Obviously I couldn’t participate, though I privately appreciated the joy one feels when reconnecting with an old, dear friend. In my own little world, I began to recall some joyous reunions I had over the past few years.

Lost in my own thoughts, Rhonda turned to me and said, “The way I am sitting, I feel like I am excluding you from our conversation.” Michael nodded in agreement. I laughed and made some joke about how they had known me all these years and everything. We instantly began discussing the various current events of the day. Our conversation blossomed from there. I shared about my trip and where I was staying. Truth be told it wasn’t in the best part of town, yet I assured them that it was some of the best and most quiet sleep I had experienced. “There were no helicopters flying overhead.” The look of shock on their face made me almost giggle, “That’s your gauge?”

We sat for the rest of the evening chatting and talking about everything under the sun. I actually felt like I was indeed one of their friends from the past and now the three of us were catching up. Michael had to leave after a couple of hours. Rhonda and I spent at least another hour talking with me learning about her world in New Orleans and my sharing about my world in the Pacific Northwest. The beauty of social media is that it allows you to quickly connect with someone. Rhonda and I exchanged profile information and went our separate ways. Though I left New Orleans a couple days later, I knew I left a friend behind. It was a good feeling.

Rhonda and I remained in touch through texting or messaging from time to time. I found myself missing my friend. I truly enjoyed our conversations and connections. Fast forward to this past week. The New Orleans Rock and Roll Half Marathon was a fantastic reason to return to NOLA and perhaps catch up with Rhonda.

When I asked if she was interested in being my lunch for the week, I received an emphatic – Yes! I am always sensitive to the fact that most of my lunches involve working people. I wanted to be as flexible to her time schedule as possible. We found a time that worked and she picked me up. I have to say as much as I like the convenience of a Lyft, having a friendly face in an unfamiliar city is a very welcome sight!

We settled on a restaurant called The Country Club. It was a unique restaurant nestled in a residential section of the city. The brilliant colored flowers painted on the walls instantly appealed to my senses. I knew I was in for a treat.

Our lunch conversation was some of the most visually stimulating I have ever had. The absolute novice NOLA history person that I am had no idea the number of parades that take place in this city. Rhonda took me on a journey through the various parades and the themes. The colors and the energy of each of the parades made my mind nearly spin. Clearly, I have yet to attend a parade in New Orleans.

Both Rhonda and our server agreed that they always have at least five things to do each day aside from the usual go to work stuff. The vibe struck me as never waning. Our conversation confirmed as much. What impressed me was it was a busy lifestyle in NOLA and yet, busy was not a four letter word. There seemed to be balance and understanding.

Rhonda is a commercial real estate developer. This naturally lends itself to conversations around how the city has grown, changed and is still establishing itself after Hurricane Katrina. Do not mistake that last part for the city finding her identity again. New Orleans has a spirit and soul unto herself. That never drown or washed away in the horrendous storm. It never will.

While she isn’t a native New Orleanian, Rhonda absolutely has made it her home. From what I can tell, the city has absolutely welcomed her with open arms. She talked of the family atmosphere and how it is so prevalent in all that goes on. How, while people may go to college elsewhere or even get a job in a different part of the country, they often return to their motherland.

We talked about Jazz Fest. YOU MUST COME BACK FOR IT! Jazz Fest will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. I have heard from others as well that this is a wonderful celebration of music. Naturally, it seems as if I should be there, doesn’t it? The festivities begin at the end of April. I do hope I can make it work.

As with all my lunches, this one had to come to an end. When we got back into her car she said, “well it is sort of a sunny day, do you mind if we put the convertible top down?” Was she kidding?! Of course I was all in for that! She continued to share about more of the history of the neighborhoods and whatnot. While I was bummed we had to part, I knew we would see each other again, soon. As luck would have it we reconnected the next day when my flight was canceled.

I had the opportunity to have dinner with both Rhonda and her lovely daughter. They helped the bit of homesickness that I was starting to feel for my own family. We had a wonderful evening spending time enjoying delicious French cuisine and with this gift of time getting to know more about each other.

I am truly fortunate for taking the seat I selected in Peche that fateful evening. My life has been truly enriched and broadened from meeting Rhonda. I know that no matter where I go in this world, I will always have a friend in New Orleans, Louisiana. There is a saying that people enter your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Fate introduced me to someone that I know will be around for a very long time.

When I look back on this past week, and even recall my trip last September, the comic strip absolutely is appropriate. Traveling to parts unknown (to us) cities, lands, worlds makes our lives more colorful, beautiful and wonderful. When you find yourself out and about, be it in your own town or in ‘parts unknown’ say Hello to a stranger. I promise, they will change the colorful kaleidoscope of your life.

Until next week…

Peace. Love and Rock n Roll…