Our Affair, with New Orleans.

We were already imagining the aromas of Creole food wafting in the air, and live jazz bands playing to packed bars. This was even before our long journey to New Orleans. She (New Orleans is definitely feminine, beautifully lady-like at times, but nevertheless filled with all the enthusiasm of a teenaged girl) beckoned to us invitingly, and we couldn’t wait to be there! The excitement in the air was palpable, almost electric.

For many of us, the visit to New Orleans and to the United States was a first and we were eagerly looking forward to a new business climate, myriad cultures and of course sinking our teeth into meaty challenges at work. For the uninitiated, New Orleans is unique and crazy in a bunch of ways. She was hardly like the other American cities that some of us had visited; certainly not a bunch of glass-and-steel structures, a few eateries and cafes, and a street of nightlife. She had something that very few American cities can claim to possess. Culture.

The riverfront “South” mixed with French sophistication coupled with African-American energy (quote: Wikitravel), makes her truly mesmerizing.

The 18 of us from the General Management Program at XLRI took classes on Strategic Consulting at Tulane University. We were taught by Professor Michael Wilson, a renowned consultant himself. We had also been assigned projects at different organizations. Now, these projects were essentially “problems” that the organizations faced, and we were roped in to help as consultants (how fancy!). Our schedules were in such a way that we alternated between school and work. At school, Professor Wilson taught us concepts substantiated with examples from his personal consulting experience, and guided us on the projects as well, and at work we attempted to practice what was taught to us. The schedule helped us bridge the gaps between learning and application.

The bunch of us with Professor Wilson

EMHStrategy, a consulting firm, acted as our liaison with the organizations and helped us in procuring the projects. A perfect example of the different people that we met during our 3 week stay at Tulane is Francisco Robert, nicknamed Paco.

Paco (who is of Puerto Rican descent) was an MBA grad at Tulane University. Before enrolling in business school, Robert was “chef de partie” at Alinea, the celebrated Chicago restaurant and a graduate of the famed Culinary Institute of America. Paco was interested in full time consulting as well, and hence decided to pursue his MBA at the Freeman School of Business, Tulane University. Today, as a consultant with EMH Strategy, Robert specializes in helping restaurants and food-related businesses manage change and prepare for growth. Picture that for an interesting life!

Francisco “Paco” Robert and Duchess, one of three chickens he and his wife are raising in the backyard of their home on Panola Street.

We had our fill of Ghost tours, Jazz bars on Frenchmen Street, Coffee & Beignets at the famed Café Du Monde, the French Quarter and the Flea Market, Swamp and Alligator Tours, Absinthe hallucinations, Country music on Decatur Street, Voodoo shops (complete with voodoo toys and dream-catchers), 25 cent martinis on Commanders, and all-night-long parties in the sinful Bourbon Street!

           The 3 weeks went by in a flash, and the return journey felt like a rude awakening from a fantasy filled dream. Indeed, she (New Orleans) is either partying or recovering from a party. She will be missed sorely by all of us!