Article and Photography by Luke Teigue | Owl Staff
The anticipation on the elevator ride down to the street was intense as we prepared ourselves for the amazing time we knew was coming that Halloween night.
It’s 2025, I’ll be 23 in two days, and I had the time of my life in New Orleans only a few months ago. Life is fairly exciting right now, though it’s often challenging to view it in such a way. Responsibilities and surroundings complicate a world that regularly asks one singular question; one for which the answer has been sought after for generations- “What is the meaning of it all?”
To even begin answering this question, I have to look back in time. Although it was impossible to see then, the world around me was so small in my youth. While I was spending most of my time at school, with family, or worrying about who I’d be sitting with at lunch, I didn’t have much time left to explore the unknown. My perception of the world wasn’t one of ignorance, but simply came from a lack of experience.
“While I was spending most of my time at school, with family, or worrying about who I’d be sitting with at lunch, I didn’t have much time left to explore the unknown.”
Naturally, this perception has changed as I’ve grown and lived more life. Gone are the times of school bus rides, band practice, and “A” or “B” days. However, despite this change, I find myself far more appreciative for many aspects and moments of life that I couldn’t fully grasp in my youth.
One such moment came just around Halloween of last year, during a visit to New Orleans. Although the purpose of the trip was focused on awards to win and conference sessions to attend, my attention was drawn to the stunning beauty of the city surrounding me.
When the conference began on Halloween day, I took time to step away from the group, silenced my phone, and allowed myself to just experience it all. I walked until the Mississippi River stopped me.
Blooming flowers, 70 degree temperatures, and a clear blue sky peeking through the clouds made for a Halloween climate I had never seen back in Maryland.
The weather held off just long enough for me to stay along the river a while, listening to a band practice their set for later that night. The waters of the Mississippi reminded me of back home along the Chesapeake Bay, and the sound of distant jazz combined with a perfectly overcast day made for a feeling of peace that is difficult to put into words.
I spent some time there, watching cargo and transport ships make their way up and down the river to destinations unknown. Feeling satisfied with what I’d experienced, I headed back up Canal Street to return to the conference after a quick stop at cafe beignet.
Later in the night came a part of the trip that will always hold a special place in my memory; a time in which all on Bourbon Street silently agreed to forget the barriers, put any differences aside, and enjoy each other’s company. A seemingly endless supply of golden confetti fell from balconies packed with people in Halloween costumes, throwing bead necklaces to those below. It was a beautiful sight.
“A seemingly endless supply of golden confetti fell from balconies packed with people in Halloween costumes, throwing bead necklaces to those below.”
There was a mutual understanding on Bourbon Street that night, one that challenged what I had come to believe about the world and dared me to forget what I thought I had an answer for. I realized how, despite having lived for nearly twenty-three years, I hadn’t experienced life to the extent that I yearned for. Being in New Orleans, surrounded by culture and history I had yet to see, showed me some of what I’d been missing out on.
That feeling remained present throughout the rest of my time there. One aspect of my youth that I carried into adulthood was a love for history, which the city certainly has in abundance. On one of the many Uber rides I’d taken around town, my driver strongly recommended a visit to The National WWII Museum.
I’d find the same satisfaction here as I did throughout the city, taking every opportunity to make conversation and discuss history with others just as passionate as myself. A simple talk with an Uber driver led to perhaps the most enjoyable part of my visit, one that I would never have experienced had I not met him. It was a fantastic way to end the trip.
Perhaps my favorite part of museums such as this is the shared passion and interests of those who attend, as it opens an opportunity for conversation and learning.
Since then, there has been quite a focus on the awards our publication won, and rightfully so. Dozens of people, hundreds of hours, and a healthy dose of constructive criticism led us to such an accomplishment and should be celebrated. However, as amazing as it feels to have won our first photography awards, the lessons I learned from my experience is what truly has stuck with me.
The responsibilities and tribulations of life can sometimes cloud the ability to see the kindness that occurs every day in the community and the world. New Orleans was, for me, a moment in time where the veil was lifted, and my perspective was changed. These moments remind me that beyond home, beyond my upbringing, and beyond what many are complacently comfortable with, finally lies an answer to the question- “What is the meaning of it all?”
After all this time, and after writing my thoughts out onto the screen, the answer still remains unknown. With age comes wisdom, and it is almost certain these thoughts will change as life moves forward. I do believe, that with special moments in time such as New Orleans, comes the greatest chance at understanding.
My experience in New Orleans was far less about the place as it was about the time and company. Moments like these, where the door is open for perspectives to change, come in all shapes and sizes and are often easy to miss. Someday, I may find that I’m wrong, but I feel one quote from my favorite film may hold the key.
“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find each other and to feel . . . That is the purpose of life.” -The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)