Sounds of New Haven

By Justin Tan

Ben, a freshman, takes his first look out of his window at his college dorm room.





An excited Ben settles into his room at the corner of Elm and York, dreaming of the college life that he had looked forward to for so long.

One night, he finds himself up late doing readings for a midterm paper.

"This must be the fastest way for the fire department to get to emergencies downtown. No wonder fire engines pass through here so often."

A few weeks in, and it's a Wednesday night right after the fall break.

Almost every Wednesday, Yalies head to Toad's Place for "Woads", from all across the residential colleges across campus.

From the sounds outside his window, Ben comes to find out and participate in this long-running Yale tradition.

The sounds of urban life connect us to one another, through even brick walls and security gates.

While the name of Yale may often evoke images of idyllic courtyards and private libraries, the roads containing the public life of New Haven inevitably cut into the bubble that envelopes the lives of Yalies.