Rose Bowl memories
In honor of the New Year, and thinking back on the bowl games that the Wisconsin Badgers have participated in, I thought this would be a fitting time to look back at when the Badgers played in the 2013 Rose Bowl.
This was a work-related trip, and I wasn't sure what to expect going to a bowl game. It was a unique and quite fun experience that really made me want to take my family on one of these trips. I was part of a group that went with the Alumni Association, which included a charter flight, which I really, really like, but learned some quirks about charters that I'll share at the end of this post.
I recall how incredibly vast LA is. And how you hear that people don't walk in LA. My experience: I went out for a workout walk around our hotel neighborhood one afternoon and encountered only two other people walking - one person taking their little dog out, and a dad teaching his kids to ride their bike outside their giant condo building. That was IT.
I also recall having brunch with my co-workers at Chateau Marmont It was so beautiful, elegant and I loved being there, sitting outside and people watching the other diners. We got a tour of the property, then popped in and looked at some of the other excruciatingly hip hotels in the area, taking in the art deco and modern decors of various places.
As part of the Bowl tour package, I could have either chosen to taken a tour of the floats being put together, or attend the Rose Parade. Since the latter involved going somewhere at 4:30 in the morning, I chose the tour option. I'm still glad I did - watching the volunteers using all the natural materials to create the beautiful floats was inspiring to see such intricate work and sheer labor.
The most surprising part was seeing the vintage cars that were part of the parade draped in their flowers. I could have gazed at them all day.
The game itself did not go as planned - we lost, and apparently I missed the half time show which had a derogatory element about cheese - the nerve. The Stanford tree running around always makes me giggle, too.
Still, there was something about being AT the Rose Bowl...it felt grand, historic, and special. I feel fortunate to have been a part of it.
p.s. I learned that charter flights can depart whenever all their passengers are there, and even head out quite early. I was in the airport, enjoying a cup of coffee away from the bustle of all the people waiting and thinking I had another 30 minutes until boarding, then I heard my name being called. They had boarded everyone in the waiting area and since I missed it, I had to do a walk of shame onto the plane, which was waiting for ME to take off.
This was a work-related trip, and I wasn't sure what to expect going to a bowl game. It was a unique and quite fun experience that really made me want to take my family on one of these trips. I was part of a group that went with the Alumni Association, which included a charter flight, which I really, really like, but learned some quirks about charters that I'll share at the end of this post.
I recall how incredibly vast LA is. And how you hear that people don't walk in LA. My experience: I went out for a workout walk around our hotel neighborhood one afternoon and encountered only two other people walking - one person taking their little dog out, and a dad teaching his kids to ride their bike outside their giant condo building. That was IT.
I also recall having brunch with my co-workers at Chateau Marmont It was so beautiful, elegant and I loved being there, sitting outside and people watching the other diners. We got a tour of the property, then popped in and looked at some of the other excruciatingly hip hotels in the area, taking in the art deco and modern decors of various places.
As part of the Bowl tour package, I could have either chosen to taken a tour of the floats being put together, or attend the Rose Parade. Since the latter involved going somewhere at 4:30 in the morning, I chose the tour option. I'm still glad I did - watching the volunteers using all the natural materials to create the beautiful floats was inspiring to see such intricate work and sheer labor.
The game itself did not go as planned - we lost, and apparently I missed the half time show which had a derogatory element about cheese - the nerve. The Stanford tree running around always makes me giggle, too.
Still, there was something about being AT the Rose Bowl...it felt grand, historic, and special. I feel fortunate to have been a part of it.
p.s. I learned that charter flights can depart whenever all their passengers are there, and even head out quite early. I was in the airport, enjoying a cup of coffee away from the bustle of all the people waiting and thinking I had another 30 minutes until boarding, then I heard my name being called. They had boarded everyone in the waiting area and since I missed it, I had to do a walk of shame onto the plane, which was waiting for ME to take off.
Comments
Post a Comment