My cultural event is the time I went to a college football game. I took a trip to Gainesville to watch the University of Florida football game. This event was one of the most memorable events of my life. I am a true, die heart Florida Gator fan, so to have the opportunity to witness the Gators play and step into the Swamp was unbelievable. The Gators were taking on LSU, which happens to be my favorite team beside the Florida Gators. This game took place on Saturday October 11th, 2014. This game contained extreme excitement which made this event change my life.
I got to feel a rush like no other, and the best part was every other fan there felt the same feeling. It all began, driving down the highway speeding down the highway, en route to Gainesville, Florida. I was amazed at how many Florida Gator car tags and stickers I seen that were on cars all the way to Gainesville. Surprisingly, the drive there was not very long. The traffic flowed the whole way, no stops in traffic made it a smooth drive. I felt so anxious on the way up not knowing what to expect. About an hour in a half had passed and we were finally in Gainesville.
As we traveled the roads to the stadium you could see people walking all over the place. It reminded me of how someone explains New York City in the winter. Anxiously awaiting, I began to ask the famous question “are we there yet? ” I repeatedly heard the answer “no” as I asked again, I heard something different. I heard “yes. ” As we drove around looking for the parking spot, my eyes caught something so familiar. My eyes were staring at nothing but orange and blue. Every way you look you seen and orange shirt then you turn around you see a blue shirt. I was amazed at how many people rep there school to the fullest.
As I admired all the people I realized we drove around for about ten minutes turning on every street looking for a spot. As we finally arrived to a spot my excitement shot through the roof. I knew the time was near, something I had dreamed about my whole life. As we began walking to the stadium, I was taken back to hear that we were going to have to walk for about twenty minutes till we reached the stadium. The time seemed to fly, when we met up with a couple of friends and walked to the stadium. The most comforting thing was that you didn’t have to feel as if you were an outcast because everybody had on the same thing, a Florida Gator shirt.
As we approached the entrance, I could hear the band playing and the crowd beginning to rumble. I got the sense that I had arrived at the perfect time. Now in the stadium, I was on the way searching for my seat. After finding my seat on the map we stopped to get something to eat and then headed to our seats. As I arrived at my seat I realized how lucky I was. My seat was right in the center of the field behind the players and away from the blazing sun. It began with the band playing getting the crowd involved then they proceeded to begin playing the national anthem. After that the players came on the field and the game had finally begun.
What I thought would always be a dream had finally came true, I was witnessing the best college in the world play my favorite sport. What more could I ask for. As the game progressed, I had learned all the different songs that they play throughout the game. The band was great, they continuously kept us involved even when things didn’t go in our favor. The student section was able to have a continuous wave go around the stadium multiple times which was very impressive. Even though the game didn’t go as planned, I still enjoyed myself. Every time we would have a big break or score a touchdown the whole stadium would cheer.
I met numerous amount of people around me, who I would high five and laugh with every time something good happened. They were genuine people who had come for the same enjoyment and excitement that I had waited so long to experience. The atmosphere that surrounded the Swamp made me never want to leave. My favorite part of the entire trip had to be towards the end of the game when we song the alma mater. This was when we all stood an interlocked arms, this part of the game made me feel as if I was now forever apart of the Gator family and that I always had a place in the Swamps heart.
This experience was truly a once in a lifetime. I will remember this as long as I live due to the fact that I bleed orange and blue. Now that I belong to the Swamp, I feel like Florida Gators number one fan. I can’t wait until I return to the Swamp and relive that experience. The connections I made with people within hours showed me how small things like being a fan can make you meet new people and form impersonal relationships quickly. After that experience I am proud to say “It’s great to be a Florida Gator! ”
