Opinion

Opinion: A heartfelt thank you to New Haven

Travelers wait for trains at New Haven’s Union Station. Travelers wait for trains at New Haven’s Union Station. Photo: File Photo Photo: File Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Opinion: A heartfelt thank you to New Haven 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

I remember the first time I heard about New Haven. It was an arbitrary city mentioned in a mediocre Verizon commercial. I think it aired in 2012. If memory serves, the commercial highlighted some random cities that got coverage. Kind of a weird choice, given New Haven is an urban area. I would hope Verizon covered it.

I grew up in South Texas and had never been on a train before. The Amtrak was much more comfortable than I expected. I arrived in town to begin my freshman year of college. I was nervous, like anyone who moves across the country for any reason. I do not remember why, but I was in awe of the ceiling. I mean, sure, it’s a well-decorated ceiling, but it’s not exactly the Sistine Chapel. Perhaps I was just in awe of the moment. I had arrived to my college town. Everything seemed special at the time.

I loved being in New Haven. The bar scene was fun. I loved all the restaurants on State Street. I’ll miss those hikes up East Rock. I’ll miss the Christmas Tree lighting, the summer concerts, the seemingly random protests and the best happy hour deals on the East Coast.

New Haven, you were my home for almost six years. I took a bit longer to graduate, and while not all of it took place in New Haven, you were a great home.

New Haven, you introduced me to things I would never have experienced before. White clam pizza? No idea you didn’t need to put marinara sauce on pizza. I had never eaten hummus before. Growing up on South Texas, there aren’t exactly a lot of Mediterranean options. Mamoun’s falafel sandwiches with hummus will always be my favorite comfort food. And, of course, that first winter snow. I always looked forward to the first snow. Not the second or the third, and to be honest I absolutely despise winter in New England, but that first snowfall was always quite beautiful.

New Haven, you have have some amazing kids. I tutored in the local area, and I must say your high schoolers have attitudes. In a good way, of course. That kind of indignant spunk you expect from teenagers that annoys you but can grow on you. To all my students, I hope your time with me was worthwhile. To all the families that trusted me with teaching your kids, thank you for that. I want you to know I remember each and every one of you. It’s hard to keep up with dozens of kids I’ve worked with, but if you read this please reach out. I miss all of you very much and hope college is treating you well. You know how to reach me.

I spent my formative years here, and as I move on to the next chapter in my life, I really do so with a heavy heart. I loved my college town. I know I only joined y’all for a short time, but New Haven will always be a huge part of who I am. I’m going to miss my neighborhood bars and pizza joints. I’m going to miss the bartenders and shopkeepers that tolerated my drunken adventures to their shops. I’m going to miss being able to live in a city where mid-afternoon I can decide to spend the night in New York or take a train to Stony Creek in Branford or a bus to Boston.

I’m going to especially miss my coworkers at the Yale Alumni Association. You were as big of a part of my college experience as my classes and classmates. Thank you for having me for all those years. Y’all know I had my ups and downs, but just know, because of you, I’ll be leaving Yale at my best.

Last but not least, I’m going to miss stepping off the Metro-North and walking into Union station and looking up at that ceiling. Every time I look up at it, I feel like that 18-year-old again with every hope in the world. Objectively, the ceiling really isn’t anything special. New Haven, to me, was though, and whenever I see that beautiful ceiling, I know I’m home.

In light of this Christmas season, I really just want to say thank you. Time has come for me to move on, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. New Haven will always be my home. I’m sure I’ll be back soon.

Esteban Elizondo is a recent graduate of Yale University.