Lunch in the Amphitheater

Korrin B.

October 9, 2010 - 6:30 PM

I usually link the UO Street Faire to rain. It seems as though more times than not, Eugene chooses this wonderful event as a good time to rain. For those not familiar with the UO Street Faire, it is a three-day event where food and craft vendors come onto campus and students can mill about eating and socializing. It is a great way of bringing the campus community together and I look forward to it every fall and spring. This year's Street Faire was even better. Why? Three gorgeous days of sunshine!

The first day of the event, I had to go get my favorite food item. I look forward to getting one every time the Street Faire comes. One of the booths is Peruvian food and they offer the tastiest Empanada de Yuca ever! It is so good. However, when I returned to the Street Faire the next day, I decided that I should try something new and it was this event that in turn lead me to the topic of this post - soaking in my final year as an undergrad.

I decided to go with some vegan curry from the Indian food booth. After getting this, my friend from sign language class had to part ways with me, so I walked off in search of a good place to sit down and eat. I ended up meandering my way through the crowded strip of food vendors to the EMU Amphitheater. Once there, I found a perfect spot on one of its steps to sit down in the warm sun. As the taste of Indian spices hit my tongue and the bright sunshine warmed my back, a couple of students on the stage of the amphitheater began to play some music. The music was a mixture of feel-good electronic hipster songs. They were the types of songs that allow you to just zone out and declare, "It's all good."

While zoning out on the fact that "the now" is such an awesome place to be, I found myself smiling and completely relaxed. I looked around at all of the other students and all of the activities and booths all around me. Campus is such an incredible environment filled with so much life.

A moment then hit me that I am entering into a series of "lasts." This would be one of the last times I would sit in that amphitheater as an undergraduate student at the University of Oregon. It would be one of the last times that I could truly feel that freedom that only a student really can. I hope to soak it all in as much as I can.

I want to remember these lunches in the amphitheater and learn from them all I can.