Immersion Essay 1: Making Memories in Lowell

There are a few things in life that really can bring people together. Too often, we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to sit down and talk to the people we love. Also too often in this highly digital era, we find it difficult to find relatable topics to talk about with new people. These social struggles, however, are eased when two things are introduced to the situation- sports and food. These two are undoubtedly two of the most effective ice breakers and points of melding for people. Luckily for me and other residents of Lowell, this city is filled to the brim with athletics and food.

Sports at UMass Lowell is a crucial aspect to our community. Being a completely D1 school puts a lot of focus on the athletic teams and events. Nothing is better than being in the Tsongas on a Friday night, all decked out in Blue UML gear, taunting the opposing goalie with 500 of your classmates. From freshmen to seniors, the stands are filled with people all cheering for the same thing, all on the same team. 

One of the best games was the night Merrimack College came to Lowell. My oldest friend, Brooke, goes to Merrimack and is a D2 softball player there. Despite Merrimack’s hockey team being their ONLY D1 team, she always jokes about how they can beat us. Well, the night Merrimack came we proved her wrong. I was extra excited that night because of my connection to Merrimack through Brooke. I was certain we could beat them and prove her wrong. As the lights in the stadium dimmed and the names of the players began to be called, my adrenaline was pumping. 

“Number 13…. Brett Seney!” As the Merrimack player skated to the center, the arena was filled with the usual “Who cares! You suck!” chant. The announcer went down the line of Merrimack players, each skating the the center to high five their teammates, and each being greeted by a booming “Who cares! You suck!” My favorite hazing moment, however, is when the goalie is announced. “Number 32…. Rasmus Tirronen” 

“Sieve you suck! Sieve you suck! Sieve you suck!”

I like to think that I’m not a mean person, and usually harsh comments like this would rattle me and send me into a “don’t be a jerk” speech, but when it comes to UML hockey games, the chanting gets the best of me. Something about how the whole school comes together looking to beat the same team, it’ll get the best of anyone. Hockey games are always a blast. Getting ready with my friends, the adventure from south campus all the way to the Tsongas, and especially the game itself. Hockey games are always eventful and a guaranteed good time, but that night was made even better when we beat Merrimack 4-1. Brooke was pretty vexed when I sent her a picture of the score board.

Food in the city of Lowell is just as diverse as its residents. There are Cambodian and Thai restaurants, Italian trattorias, and organic cafes. Downtown Lowell, with its rustic cobblestone streets and historic brick buildings, is the melting pot of good food in the city. For me, my family, and friends, there’s no stronger bonding experiencing than sitting around a table stuffing our faces. In almost every culture, meal times can be seen as sacred. It’s when everyone is together, sharing stories and laughs while enjoying good food. 

Two of my favorites are Tremonte’s and Life Alive. Both very different restaurants with very different food, atmospheres, and motifs, but both have the silent power of bringing people together. 

Tremonte’s is one of my family’s favorite restaurants. We go there for birthdays and anniversaries, and many times just for the sake of going. It’s located on the corner of Palmer street and sometimes requires risking a rolled ankle on the cobblestones during the long trek from a parking spot. The dark wood on the floors gives the restaurant a warm feeling, and the large booths are like a big, leather hug when you’re waiting for your food. My brother and I visited Tremonte’s a few weeks ago and it was just as good as it always is. It’s tradition to order than eggplant parmigiana as an appetizer, although I’ve had it as an appetizer and an entree before and been more than satisfied. My brother gets chicken broccoli pizza almost every trip. It’s basically chicken, ziti, broccoli, the pasta meal with white cream sauce, on top of a pizza sans ziti. He orders a large every time and I’ve never seen him not finish it. For me, I ordered a small version of their specialty pizza of the night. It had caramelized onions and peppers and was loaded with other veggies- right up my alley. I joined my brother in the Clean Plate Club that night, just like I usually do. 

When the waitress came to ask our drink orders when we were first seated, I ordered a water with lemon and Michael ordered a Bud Light draft. At the end of our meal, there was an issue with the check and we were waiting for quite some time. The waitress felt bad, and also knew my brother from the many times he’d visited during his four years at UMass Lowell, so she brought my brother a tiny glass of beer while we waited for the check. It was bigger than a shot glass, but only by a little. I think it may be a glass used for beer tastings, but watching my brother drink is Bud Light from that tiny glass with his pinky raised like Queen Elizabeth had me in stitches laughing. 

Life Alive is right around the corner from Tremonte’s in Downtown Lowell. It shares the same Lowellian feel, the quaintness of the cobblestones and the feeling that you’re in some artsy, hipster Tumblr blog that posts black and white pictures of coffee cups and buttered toast. The walls of Life Alive are covered with flyers for apartments for rent, community events, and tons of advertisements for local band performances. There are abstract murals covering the walls in brightly colored paints. As you leave the foyer and open the glass door into the actual restaurant, your eyes are overwhelmed with things to look at. The walls are a sunny shade of yellow that can brighten even the coldest January day. There are Chinese lanterns asian tapestries on the walls, shelves and shelves of books, and a stage for live music. 

As my mom and I walked into the small cafe, there was a man onstage playing his acoustic guitar. What first caught my eye was the large array of plants in the room. From hanging vines to potted flowers to bamboo, it was an array of cultures all put together, blending and coming together into a beautiful, peaceful place to meet with friends and loved ones.

I ordered “The Emperor”, which is a collection of vegetables and legumes over brown rice with miso sauce. It was the best kind of meal. It filled me up and left me feeling clean, not heavy and bloated like most restaurants. With my Emperor, I ordered the Life Alive juice. The juice consisted of Apple, Beet, Carrot, Celery, Kale, and Wheatgrass. Unsurprisingly, it was a bit bland and not quite the best thing I could’ve ordered. I think I would’ve preferred a sweeter fruit smoothie instead. Being an all organic restaurant, some menu items are a bit too earthy crunchy for me. Regardless, my mom and I still had a fabulous lunch in a unique atmosphere. The acoustic guitar playing mixed with the art and organic beauty products for sale provided a remarkable dining experience. 

At first glance, it’d be difficult to see the relation between two, quiet restaurants in downtown Lowell with the loud, rowdy atmosphere of a Riverhawks hockey game. When you look deeper, however, it’s easy to see the common thread between my brother’s tasting glass of beer and chicken broccoli pizza with the harassment of an opposing team’s goalie, or the relation between organic salads and acoustic guitar with the student section of the Tsongas Arena. It’s all about coming together and just spending time with loved ones. Whether you’re looking to munch on some italian cuisine with a sibling, sip on an organic fruit smoothie with your mom, or watch a hockey game with your classmates, Lowell has umpteen places and opportunities for gathering and making memories.