beat the thanksgiving break blues The Campus offers local alternatives for when the College shuts down

Author: Tamara Hilmes

Wednesday, Nov. 21

You wake up today and realize that you are completely alone. Quite possibly, you are the only student left on campus. To numb the pain, you eat one last meal at Proctor before all of the dining halls close for the rest of break. With no dining halls to cater to your every whim, why not venture into town to one of Middlebury's fine dining establishments for the rest of your meals? Who knows, maybe you can even guilt-trip your parents into paying for it if you remind them that they are celebrating the holiday without you. Try Otter Creek Bakery or Sama's Cafe at the Middlebury Market for breakfast or lunch, as both are only a short walk from campus and will not require much effort to walk to early in the morning.

Thursday, Nov. 22
Thanksgiving Day

So, you made it through the first day, and you are even starting to get used to the empty and desolate campus - well, sort of. Rather than sitting in your room talking to yourself, why not rent a movie or two to create the illusion of a room full of family and friends? Try Waterfront Video located in Marble Works or Video King next to the Middlebury Co-op. While you are out and about, you can pick up some groceries from Shaw's and whip yourself up a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner. Just make sure you have a can opener so that you can enjoy that cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie filling. No opener is necessary for the deli-sliced turkey or the can of Redi-Whip.

Friday, Nov. 23

Feeling slightly disgusted with yourself after your day of sitting on the couch in the lounge watching movies and gorging yourself on your "home-cooking?" Head out of the dorm and off campus for some good old-fashioned exercise. Try hiking the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM), the 16-mile loop around the town that is sure to help you burn off those holiday-induced calories. If you are up for the exercise, check out the trail's Web site for a map of the trail and starting locations. Or maybe you would like to hike the Robert Frost Trail that you have been hearing so much about. Read quotes from Middlebury's favorite poet as you enjoy what might possibly be your last outdoor activity before the snow comes.

Saturday, Nov. 24

So you have made it through three days without friends, food or homework to keep you busy. Congratulations. Getting bored yet? If you feel like you have exhausted Middlebury's resources, try hopping on the Addison County Transit (ACTR) to Burlington and spend the day wandering up and down Church St. You may have missed Black Friday while you were out hiking, but you can still score some sweet deals on the strip while pining for your friends. ACTR has a bus running from Adirondack Circle to Cherry Street in Burlington at 9:55 a.m. and returning later in the day. Check out ACTR's Web site for the complete bus schedule.

Sunday, Nov. 25

You did it! You survived Thanksgiving break on campus. Well, almost. Rather than spending your last few hours of alone time snoozing in your room or playing Halo 3, stroll into town to Steve's Park Diner or Carol's Hungry Mind Cafe, both located on Merchant's Row, and settle down with a hot cup of coffee and attempt to make a dent in the massive pile of homework due after break. For lunch, treat yourself to one of Noonie's famously huge sandwiches before heading back to campus to eat dinner with your friends in the newly reopened dining halls.