Ole Miss students cheer during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Ole Miss won 23-17. (DM Photo | Cady Herring )
Last weekend, I ventured to Baton Rouge. I have always heard about the nature of Louisiana State University, but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for how it was in reality. I’m not even really talking about the fans, although I had heard my share of horror stories about how rude they were to visitors.
I was completely entranced by the overall atmosphere of Baton Rouge. Whereas in Oxford, you find people roaming around the Square and on campus on a Friday night, there the students gallivant freely all over the city. While I can honestly say Baton Rouge is a fun place and that I made memories and had adventures there, it just did not have the same feel that Oxford does.
I was in an alternate reality, some sort of bizarre carnival, while out last Friday. Surrounded by the giant tents and flashing lights, I found myself missing Oxford more than ever before.
Standing outside the tents, I began to realize the atmosphere was not the only thing that was different. I started looking at what everyone had on, and I became fascinated.
I noticed a considerable difference in the overall appearance of the people that went to LSU games. After this realization, I became a sort of spectator, studying my environment carefully.
What I saw was that overall people here in Oxford were much more put together. While it may have been at least a little more effortless, I do have to say that I prefer our approach.
I asked a girl if I could take a picture of what she had on for my column. I actually liked what she had on. It was not something I feel you would have ever seen here, but it was demonstrative of the different look I saw in Baton Rogue. She seemed annoyed and highly disinterested. I feel as though if this situation had taken place in Oxford, the girl would have jumped at the chance.
I could walk around and distinctly tell which people were from Oxford and which ones were not.
People seemed to be more casual, and the overall energy was oddly like something from a time passed – perhaps circa early 2000s.
It wasn’t as much of a fashion show as it is here. In a way, it was refreshing, and in another, it was frustrating to me.
With this being said, seeing this alternate culture gave me a new sense of pride to be a University of Mississippi student.
I think it is a good thing to be known for how much effort we put into dressing and that we really take delight in putting our best foot forward. I love looking forward to gameday, partly for planning what I am going to wear that weekend. I love it because I know that people here get it. They notice and they appreciate it.
I always love going away from something long enough to really see the beauty of it.
Sometimes, I feel that I do not give enough credit where credit is due. I can see now that Oxford is an incredibly savvy place with a small-town atmosphere.
I now value the Square so much more, as I do not get lost while getting to or from there, and you only have to walk a couple of steps to change venues. I am looking forward to going to the Grove this weekend, where all of the tents I visit are within a comfortable walking distance from each other. I look forward to seeing what everyone has on as the weather shifts more into a cooler climate.
Recently, I have found it to be extremely important to value the season or place you are in. You have to be able to look around and appreciate what scenes, people and things surround you. Oxford is one-of-a-kind; I am delighted to get to experience living and going to school here. Though I don’t know how Auburn fans will dress or what they’ll bring to the table, I’ll be happy to be back in the Grove.
