Above the Mason-Dixon Line: Part 1
This past weekend, I did something I have never done in my life. I walked in new waters. Waters above the Mason-Dixon line. I entered the North: an eye-opening experience.
Now you’re wondering, why did I spend a weekend up in the north? Well, I was invited with two other guys to attend the National Knights of Columbus College Council Conference in New Haven, Connecticut. I am currently the Grand Knight of the college council in the Nashville area that has a combination of Vanderbilt and Belmont students and we were invited to New Haven with all expenses paid. Sure, it was two days of traveling, but to go for free? Of course we’re going.
Early Friday morning before dawn, we got ourselves to the Nashville Airport and hopped on a plane to Newark, New Jersey where we caught a train to Pennsylvania Station in New York. I had never been to New York before and as soon as I got off the train, I realized I wasn’t in the South anymore. There were people everywhere scrambling to get to their destination. There were loud noises coming from all places. I felt so scared, so unsure what to do. It was awful. We finally managed to get out of Penn Station and there I saw the words, “Madison Square Garden.” Like a true fan, the first thing I thought of when I saw those words was that this is the place that Taylor Swift had sold out in sixty seconds at the mere age of 19. I then experienced my first taste of authentic New York City food. We sat on the steps of the Garden and ate lamb gyros from a food truck. It was truly a magical experience and one that I will never forget.
We then spent the remainder of our time walking to Times Square. I then realized that I will not be living in a large city if I can help it. The people moving around everywhere and the smell of garbage truck was overwhelming for me. My New York friend claims that I went to the two worst places in NYC and that I shouldn’t base any opinions on the city based on what I experienced. Maybe she’s right, maybe she’s wrong. I really wanted to see the Status of Liberty just like in the Titanic but alas, I could not. Maybe in another lifetime.
After a few hours in the city, it was time to reach our final destination. We all hopped on a train and two hours later we were finally in New Haven, Connecticut. From a distance we could see the headquarters of the Knights of Columbus which kind of looks like a fortress.
Check back soon for part 2!
