The best place in all of New Haven is the New Haven Green. When the city was originally planned in the nine squares, the center square was set off as public land, forming the Green we know today. I think its a refreshing place, and nothing's better than walking down Temple Street, then cutting through the Green, on my way to 9:00 am section in LC.Well, what else could I have done when I heard the news that there was a special Christmas celebration today on the Green? It had all of my favorite things, in order:
1. Christmas
2. celebrations
3. the Green.
So, I went. And it was a blast. Cars were lined all the way up Temple Street as families came out in droves for the festivities. There were carousels and Santa visits for the kids, a "take your photo in this winter wonderland" stand, and best of all, a massive Christmas tree, lit for the first time tonight in speckles of red, blue, and green.
As a college student, it's hard sometimes to get to see and interact with real townies. Well, here I saw a different side of New Haven. First of all, there were lots of children--you rarely see those in our explorations around the restaurant districts on weekends. But there they were, bundled up, cared for by their parents, and having a great time. It was a good thing to finally get to see after a semester at Yale; it wasn't so long ago when I was one of those children, being cared for by my parents back in Fort Wayne.
The best part of the night was a "hayride" in the back of a tractor that drove us around New Haven Green. About 20 of us piled on, kids, adults, and students. An energetic 20-something waved his glowstick in the air and decided to conduct us in singing carols. As the tractor started its engines and pulled us around the Green, our group of strangers sang "Jingle Bells," "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer." Then we ran out of songs to sing, and laughing, I started a rendition of "The wheels on the tractor go round and round..." In an attempt to move back to a Christmas songs, we tried "O Chirstmas Tree", but no one knew the words. "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree...", pause, laughter, mumbling. I spontaneously made up some lyrics. "We're riding round New Haven Green... uh... I took a shower, I feel so clean!" We were all in good spirits as the ride came to a close.
As we got off the tractor in single file, we wished each other Merry Christmas and went our separate ways. I walked back down Temple Street, only to notice that the walkways across the Green, near Center Church, were lined with candles. (They do this every Thursday from 6-9, so take a study break next Thursday and take a walk to the Green.) It was a beautiful sight to walk home to.
In the end, a great way to kick off the Christmas season (thought finals does dampen the prospects a little.) It's refreshing to break out of the Yale, and even the TD bubble once in a while.
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