Igor's is right around the corner from a few International Youth Hostels. For about two months Marc Stephen Garrison, North London (not this real estate Marc Garrison), had his pints at Igor's.
Getting to know Marc was an adventure in culturalisms. A 22-year-old Londoner in New Orleans is the perfect reverse of Mark Twain's tales.
Garrison signed on with a local day labor service, and earned enough to keep in the hostel and regular visit to out beloved Igor's. He didn't dare tell his Father what he was doing. He received email from his father, warning him to stay on this side of the river, and definitely stay away from Algiers. Of course the Labor service sent him commuting to Algiers tearing down and old public housing project!
Marc explained to me the Colonial game of cricket. Of course I asked him, "What is a sticky-wicket? I've heard that expression outside the context of the game." When the bowler throws the ball and strikes the wickets, the pegs usually take a tumble and count against the batter. Sometimes the pegs do not fall when struck.
I asked "Why is that?"
"Because it's a sticky-wicket," he replied in that dry English humor!
Marc Garrison became more than a drinking buddy and humorist. Late one afternoon a customer was complaining to the bartender that he felt sick and was sure that someone slipped a drug into his drink. That got my attention!
The bartender asked him what's wrong. "I suddenly feel really drunk. That was only my third drink. Someone must have drugged it!"
The bartender replied, "That was your third Hurricane in 30 minutes, of course your drunk!" A hurricane as a fruity icy drink that is 40% booze or stronger, usually served in a 16 ounce glass.
The guy still gets panicky and I ask him, "When was the last time you ate anything today?" He had only breakfast that day before touring the streets under 95-degree weather. But he was still convinced he had been drugged.
Luckily, Marc came in and knew the guy from living in the same hostel. Marc and I walked him back to the hostel. The funny this was that the guy was an intern for the City Planner in Miami FL. To think that he didn't know that gulping 16 ounces of alcohol in 30 minutes was going to get him drunk.
That's when I had more respect for young Marc. He had the presence of mind and sincerity to help out someone he barely knew.
Here's to you Mr. Marc Stephen Garrison! Cheers!
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