My cap...

If you look at my traveling photos, you should be able to see that I wear the bright yellow/maize Michigan cap. And yes, for the past 3 years, wherever I go, I'll definitely bring along that cap because I like it, and it's a good way to connect with people.

When I was traveling, wearing that cap, there'll always be the occasional friendly 'Go Blue!' from somewhere. Sweet. Also, it's a good way to identify yourself as a proud wolverine. 3 years ago, while I was first in NYC, while on the bus trip to Washington DC, I was identified by the cap by two other people who were on the trip, and they went to Michigan too. So, linked!!! And we chatted awhile on the trip.

There's also that time on the train to Pittsburgh, but well, that's kinda unfair to attribute meeting others on the train to the cap as the train set off from Ann Arbor.

On Spring Break, 5 months ago, I went to Dublin, Ireland for 3 days, and at the hostel in Temple Bar, I met a pair of siblings from Michigan who were traveling there too. Even though they didn't go to University of Michigan, they are from Michigan, and that our link too. So, we ended up going to bars together and also, took the bus tour together. Fun time.

Also, last month, on the way down to NYC, in the bus station in Boston, there's also the 'Go Blue!'

Last weekend, as I mentioned in my previous post, I met a guy who went to Michigan for his undergraduate degree while staying in the youth hostel at Truro, MA (the outer cape).

So you see, it's not just an ordinary cap. It's more than just a cap. More than an extraordinary cap. It's a symbol, it's a connector between people. It's a reputation. It's an identity.

I was once asked why am I so proud of Michigan? Well, because it's something to be proud of. I'm pretty sure it's a combination of my experiences, my take-away, the people I met, the parties I attended, the classes I took, and much much more. What's better than a home game football Saturday?

School pride? I bet.