train trip

This weekend I took a little vacation out of the Big City to see Jerad and Liza in Connecticut. Jerad has been working on a graduate degree in scenic design at U-Conn, and this weekend was the performance of Cabaret for which he's been working on the sets for several months. I saw his original plans last spring, and when he asked me to go to see the show, I jumped at the chance. I took the train from Grand Central Station at 9:00 on Saturday morning, and, about two hours later, I arrived in New Haven, CT. The train ride was enjoyable; I had a great chat with the girl across the aisle from me, I did a little work on a research paper, and I watched the scenery go by. I couldn't help wishing I'd taken Jerad up on his invitation sooner so that I could have seen the fall foliage.

Jerad met me at the train station in New Haven and we spent the afternoon wandering around the Yale University campus. The weather was perfect for a stroll on the town green. We visited an exhibit on modern modular housing on display at the school of architecture, and we toured the campus library. The library actually looks like it used to be a cathedral, but it has always been the library. The architecture is incredible! We had lunch at a little vegetarian cafe, and then we drove about an hour to where Liza works. It was so nice to catch up during the drive! Liza works for a nonprofit organization call Aid to Artisans that helps crafts people in developing nations become entrepreneurs. The organization was having a holiday warehouse sale, so we browsed the racks for awhile, and Liza told me where each of the pieces had come from. I found plenty of gifts that would be perfect for all my friends, but between the tight budget this year and having to take everything home in a suitcase, I restrained myself from buying anything. But you should check out the website and see if you can find anything for yourself! From Liza's office, we went to their apartment and the three of us chatted over tea. Then it was time for dinner at a local diner, where Liza and I shared an enormous sandwich!

Before the show started on Saturday night, we stopped at Jerad's studio so I could see his portfolio, including drawings paintings, photographs, and models of set designs for several shows. I was intrigued by the process of set design, and I was amazed at how much he's grown and changed. He is truly talented! Cabaret started at 8:00. I always enjoy the music in the show, and the actors did a good job, but Jerad's set design was incredible! What a treat to see the fruit of Jerad's labors.

On Sunday morning, we slept in, which was oh-so-nice, and had a leisurely breakfast. Then we drove back to Jerad's school, which is in Storrs, about thirty minutes away from their apartment, so Jerad could drop off some work. We took a driving tour of the campus, even stopping by the old insane asylum! We stopped for lunch at a little burger joint sorta like Winsteads, and then we drove to some small New England coastal towns. We were a little bit chilly, but the views of the water were beautiful, and the white clapboard houses with fresh evergreen Christmas decorations were picturesque. All of the pictures in this post are from that part of the visit.

Jerad and Liza dropped me off at the train station in New Haven at 5:00, and I took the 5:57 train back to Grand Central. I spent the train ride writing a second paper and chatting with the man across from me. The trip was quick, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait until Jerad and Liza move to New York!