gators take on nola

AN HONEST REVIEW: IS ROADTRIP WORTH IT?

By: Abigale Dressback

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Credit: Abigale Dressback

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Every year when UF plays either LSU or Tennessee, students are able to sign up with a frat and go on a road trip to either New Orleans or Nashville. A month ago, while the Gator football team traveled to Louisiana, so did a good amount of UF’s student population. The difference is our football team went to Baton Rouge to play a ranked LSU team and everyone else went to the iconic Bourbon Street in New Orleans to gallivant around.

This once a year trip is hyped up and talked about for months in advance because it is said to be one of the most fun weekends of the year. Making sure all your friends go with the same frat, get on the same bus, and stay in the same room is definitely an experience. 

However, from the sights, to the sounds, and last but not least the style, the 48 hours in NOLA is worth every penny. It’s always refreshing to explore a new city with your best friends.

The top site was, of course, the iconic Bourbon Street. You can’t forget the famous Cafe Du Monde and their delicious beignets. The energy that radiates from all of the interesting people and unique places around New Orleans is exhilarating.

The people are so soulful as they have an eccentric zest for life and seem to have unlocked the secret of how to truly live in the moment, appreciating the history and culture of the street they’re lucky enough to be on. I personally had the best time frolicking in and out of all of the different art galleries, shops, and exhibits all around NOLA.

My friends and I actually stumbled upon a store that had the most intricate and fascinating shoes that were hand made and out of our price range as they were all $200 and up. Imagine if Elphaba’s and Glinda’s shoes had babies, that is what these marvelous creations looked like. 

No itinerary? No problem. New Orleans is the perfect place to play things by ear because there’s always something fascinating at every corner. If we were following a strict schedule, we would’ve never stumbled upon the most extraordinary shoe store.

Credit: Abigale Dressback

One of the greatest things about New Orleans is that you can’t walk one block without encountering some form of live music. The passion these musicians have for their art is inspiring. 

With young kids playing the drums on upside-down buckets on Bourbon Street, an old man playing electric guitar by the water and Jazz bands grooving, the musicians of New Orleans have an eagerness to express themselves. 

When you pass by them, you can’t help but stop and admire the dedication and love they have for their art by leaving money in their bucket or stopping to dance along.

Everyone’s outfits were straight out of a pinterest board to say the least. In New Orleans the thing seemed to be accessories. Chunky jewelry, big embellished belts, knee-high boots, and see-through ponchos were all the rage. 

There’s a distinct difference between wearing and styling an outfit, and everyone showed up and ate down when it came to styling their NOLA outfits. Many two-piece denim sets, trendy Edikted dresses, and edgy black sets were worn that weekend. The men, of course, just threw on a gator polo and jeans and called it a day (but A for effort).

The feeling of being with your best friends in a new place is unparalleled. It also truly shows a testament to your friendship if you’re able to survive the chaos of Bourbon Street, in addition to being cooped up together for 24 hours on a bus. 

Experiencing any new place is great, but being able to do it laughing with your friends makes it much more meaningful. I will cherish the memories of skipping down Bourbon Street, fangirling over a band, and trolling people with my girlfriends forever. Roadtrip is also a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and make more friends. 

I feel blessed to have met some lovely people in the short amount of time we were in New Orleans. The best part is-they go to UF too. You never know who will become someone important in your life on this trip.

While the fee to go on Roadtrip is kind of hefty, the memories you make there are priceless. Even though my bus broke down for an hour on the way back it didn’t break the joy that New Orleans had given me. 

There will always be cons to every trip, but isn’t that kind of the point? The lows make the highs, and the overall experience, that much more worth it. If you’re given the chance, make the trip because you won’t regret it.

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Abigale Dressback is a new rowdy writer who loves all things sports, music, fashion you name it. She is known by her friends as a social butterfly obsessed with hugs.