An introvert’s exploration of New Orleans’ Garden District

 

I opened the door to the luxurious foyer and immediately felt my tired muscles relax. My shoes softly stepped on the shiny marble floor as I moved to peer into the sun-filled room.

 

An eclectic mix of French styles delighted my eyes and textural proclivities. I flopped backward onto the bed and took a deep breath in.

 

“I don’t want to leave this room the whole week. This is an introvert’s dream.” I said out loud to myself.

The suite was richly designed and delightfully quiet, high above the festivities of the city below. I explored the space, opening drawers, sitting in the purple chair, catching the reflections in various mirrors, and taking in the marble and glass of the gorgeous bathroom.

 

Here I was visiting one of the most lively and unique cities in the world, and I was content to stay inside my beautiful hotel room.

 

This was not your standard work trip Hilton. This was the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Solo travel for the professional introvert

I was on a solo professional trip for a writing conference whose leader had scored a mid-week bargain in this beautiful hotel.  I felt both intimidated and relieved in my anonymity.

 

New Orleans is a great place to feel free and experimental. Shouldn’t that be an introvert’s escape? It’s the perfect city to go a little wild and walk away with my identity still hidden. I still wasn’t sure about my courage.

 

That evening I wondered about the grand foyers, lush courtyard, and plush darkened lounge. Polished marble guided my eyes and gushing water fountains entertained my ears. As I sat on a loveseat enjoying a salad on a low table, I observed a gentleman at the next table diligently working on a PowerPoint presentation.

 

My perfectionist wanted to tap him on the shoulder and tell him that the font size on his slides was too small. I giggled inside at the idea, but my introvert voted a firm no and kept me sunk deep into my velvet seat.

Having visited New Orleans twice previously, I had explored the French Quarter, eaten beignets, ridden a sternwheeler on the Mississippi River, fed alligators on a bayou tour, and visited historic plantations. What should I do during my free evening of this solo trip, besides lounge in my fabulous suite?

 

The next morning, I asked the concierge if there was an option for a private walking tour, perhaps in the Garden District—a part of New Orleans I hadn’t yet visited.

 

She said yes, she could arrange this, and asked if I would perhaps be interested in dinner after the tour.

 

I replied that I would be interested in dinner but needed a restaurant with reasonable vegetarian options—knowing this was an unusual request in New Orleans.

 

Shortly, she emailed me the details of a private walking tour in the Garden District and options for dinner. I chose the neighborhood gathering place called Coquette.

 

The contracted tour guide called me to confirm the walking tour and asked me to meet at a coffee shop in the Garden District.

 

I couldn’t ascertain much about him from his voice and brief conversation, but I admit I was a little apprehensive about this solo tour.

 

A tour of the Garden District

I took a Lyft to the designated coffee shop, arriving 5 minutes ahead of schedule. It was a cheery space with a few afternoon patrons and a friendly barista. I ordered my usual cappuccino to go.

 

As I waited for my coffee, a pleasant retired-age gentleman wearing a straw hat with a jaunty red ribbon band and carrying a soft bulging briefcase approached me.

 

“Are you Julie?” He asked.

 

“Yes,” I replied.

 

“I’m Naif,” he said and handed me a business card.

 

He went on to verify the details of our scheduled walking tour and confirmed my dinner reservation at Coquette. He had planned a leisurely tour and promised that he would deliver me to Coquette on time for dinner.

 

As he was talking, he flipped the business card over and assured me, “You’re safe with Naif.” I looked at the card and sure enough, there it was printed.

He was a retired teacher with a family history in New Orleans. Clearly, he delighted in teaching, sharing his stories, and showing visitors his city.  This passion and purpose continued to reveal itself throughout my tour with Naif.

 

The streets we strolled on in the Garden District were quiet and canopied with beautiful, twisty, lichen-covered old trees. Historic homes loaded with stories lined these avenues. I loved the diversity and serenity of it all.

 

Being so caught up in the present moment, I only remember a few tidbits of the many landmarks and stories the Garden District holds. I was mesmerized by his knowledge and enthusiasm and relished the two hours with this genuine gentleman.

 

Highlights of the Garden District

On Coliseum Street, we passed by the only home built in a Swiss chalet style. Loving all things Swiss, I was intrigued. Built in 1876 by architect William Freret, it is currently owned by actress Sandra Bullock. I didn’t get the view or photos I hoped for due to the abundance of privacy foliage lining the property, but it was a charming mix of New Orleans style wrought iron and classic Swiss design.

 

 

Nearby, we stopped in front of a lovely home with a pair of curved ascending staircases. Symmetrically pleasing, Naif informed me that these staircases were for the men to enter on one side and the women on the other so that the men would not see the women’s ankles when they lifted their dresses to climb the stairs. Imagine the scandal of spying a lady’s ankle!

 

 

Down another street, Naif pointed out one of the only remaining original cast horse head hitching posts. This once-functional art adds an element of historical elegance to the more modernized infrastructure.

 

 

I was drawn to the geometric texture of an old home with leaded glass windows and doors. I loved the squared windows with rows of circles and the contrast of clear shiny glass to the dark heavy lead.

 

 

Toward the end of the tour, we passed by Colonel Short’s Villa with an impressive cast iron fence. The fence is articulately detailed with corn stalks and ears of corn. The story is that the gentleman’s wife missed the corn fields of her Iowa home and so her husband commissioned this fence to help the garden feel more familiar even while they were living in New Orleans.

 

 

Before I knew it, two hours had flown by. It was the most relaxing evening wandering these iconic streets. Naif skillfully wove important history, personal stories, and current events into our conversation.

 

A gentleman and an elder

As we turned the corner towards the conclusion of our tour, I shared with him some of my coaching work on the emotional aspects of retirement for professionals.

 

I love Chip Conley’s concept of the modern elder—someone who not only embodies and shares the wisdom of the past but also continues to learn and evolve as the future unfolds. I often incorporate this idea in my work, and I love watching individuals who embody and live this model. Naif had these skills mastered.

 

Modern young people compete to capture the best image for Instagram and target the trending topics on social media. While Naif, a modern elder, is a dynamic content creator in his own right.

 

He walks the streets of his beloved city, laying his briefcase on the sidewalk as he smiles and tantalizes his listeners with stories, both old and new.

 

To him this is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. He wakes up with a purpose and fills his days with joy as he shares his wisdom in this wonderful non-technological methodology of the walking tour and oral tradition.

As promised Naif delivered me safely to Coquette. He coyly reminded me that coquette means a flirt. How perfect, I thought. Here I have spent this charming evening with a modern elder and isn’t New Orleans itself a bit of a flirt to her visitors?

 

I stepped inside the restaurant to inform them of my arrival and Naif stayed with me until I was comfortably seated at my patio table before saying goodbye. I was truly safe with Naif.

 

Coquette

The evening was perfect, warm and dewy, with just a hint of breeze. A covering of green leaves and warm lights enveloped me. The sounds of nearby traffic, neighbors greeting, and nearby music danced through my ears.

 

I sat at my sidewalk table, sipping my glass of wine perfectly content, enjoying the moment of pure pleasure and peace in an otherwise raucous world.

 

The food was delicious, fresh, and portioned exactly right. When my server brought the dessert menu, I couldn’t resist ordering a glass of port and a chocolate torte. While living in the perfect moment, go all in.

 

I amused myself with the irony of having port at Coquette.

My girlfriends and I had enjoyed port tasting at Taylor Fladgate Cellars in Porto, Portugal. Whenever we find a Taylor port on the menu, we always order it and share a moment together.

 

This has become enough of a tradition that if one of us drinks a Taylor port without the others, it is considered “cheating.” It makes for some good laughs and texting threads when we are in various individual locations.

 

At Coquette, the port was not Taylor. However, I captured the necessary picture of my glass of port, sending it with the clever line, “I’m not cheating, I’m just flirting.”

 

And indeed, it felt as though the city was flirting with all my five senses.

The privilege of travel

Relaxed and happy, I returned to the hotel and lingered in the courtyard listening to the water fountains under the dark yet glowing city sky.

 

I reflected on how privileged I was to have the ability to not only travel in fascinating places but to have the opportunity to learn in a beautiful environment.

Furthermore, I was grateful for the freedom to be a solo professional woman who could manifest a trip that not only grew my skills and knowledge but also fed my soul and rested my body.

 

And with a bit of creativity, you can design your free time to exactly suit your needs and desires.

 

I didn’t go wild or push my introvert out of its comfort zone. However,  I did enjoy a remarkable experience in the Garden District.

 

I’m not the kind of girl who requires fancy travel. In fact, most of the time, I will choose a simple mountain cabin and a hike over the posh hotels and entertainment of a bustling metropolis. Occasionally, it’s fun to treat yourself to the worldly luxury of a culturally rich city.

 

I made one last twirl in the warm shadowy courtyard. Then I turned and retired to my luscious French-inspired suite.