“Wow, I’m glad I went on this tour.” That’s the thought that ran through my head multiple times Saturday afternoon. I originally embarked on the Behind the Scenes tour to see the Secret Tunnel, but several of the other places we toured were just as interesting. Professor Blalock gave a brief history of Ezra Cornell, full of facts that I had never heard nor expected. Fun fact: Ezra Cornell was a hardworking farmer from a working class background who only had a third grade education, yet he created what would become one of the best universities in America–and the world. If that’s not a slice of inspiration, I don’t know what is.

We dodged the raindrops to Noyes, where I was excited to learn that every other Tuesday there’s free food and massages in Noyes. Here’s to hoping I remember to take advantage of those massages as prelim season continues.

The next leg of our journey was to the archway between Lyon and McFaddin. While the rain splashed down, he told us tales of the famed Quill & Dagger secret society and their secret elevator–something I wish I could have used on move-in day, but alas. Everyone was thoroughly relieved to finally shuffle inside Lyon out of the rain, and into the locked rooms on the first floor which I had yet to see before. The war memorial inspired a silent respect from the group, as we quietly moved around, examining the names of those fallen and the solemn architecture of the room. I’m especially glad I got to see this room, since it’s usually locked and I hadn’t seen it before despite passing it every day on my way to my floor. I’m glad that there’s a memorial in Cornell for those fallen students. It’s pretty hard to imagine what it must be like to go to war as someone my age, and I was glad to see there was a place honoring their memory.

We ended in Becker house, where we crept underground and explored the facilities and operations hub that produces the famed West Campus dining for which Cornell is known. After a short pause in the secret tunnel, Professor Blalock kindly allowed us into his apartment, which was wonderfully built and smoothly integrated into the main house.

I’m most glad that I had the opportunity to see so many different places on West that I wouldn’t have the opportunity otherwise, but the most fascinating parts were the backstories that left their palpable memories on every surface.