Less than five days after we got home from Hawaii, we hopped in the car and drove down to St. Louis for our reunions. The great thing about being five school years apart is that our college reunions will always coincide. We had a terrific weekend catching up with our classmates, walking around the ever-changing campus in wonderment, and hanging out at some of our favorite St. Louis spots. We even got to catch up with Jeff Smith and his wife. And yes, we consumed at least one meal at St. Louis Bread Company and one at Thai Country Cafe.
Surprise surprise ... Pranav and I both lived in the same freshman dorm! Iqbal was also in Rubelmann -- on the third floor, just like me. SMALL world.
The VARP plaque, presented ceremoniously to Thai Country Cafe on July 18, 2001, is still prominently displayed in the restaurant where VARP celebrated its college triumphs and contemplated its defeats:
We enjoyed lots of laughs catching up with Jeff Smith (why the serious face, Jeff?) and his wife Teresa at Blueberry Hill. Jeff is interviewing for professorships, working on a book, and just found out he and Teresa are expecting a baby boy!
Rubbing noses with Wash U dignitaries like Dean McCleod (aka "The Man") at the Reunion Committee reception:
Kim and Michelle: 2 of my 3 senior year roomies. Michelle had just found out she is expecting twins! The third roomie, Solana, was of course breaking it down on the dance floor when this photo was taken.
Bhangra on a stage: just a typical Wash U class of 2001 party ...
Class of '96 and class of '01 alums reuniting in the hotel lobby after attending our separate class parties:
Familiar faces:
Campus sure has changed since we started Wash U as freshmen ...
... But from certain angles, it looks and feels exactly the same:
