Today marks the dawn of a new Bwog feature: GonzoBwog, in which we embark on a quest to answer your questions through empirical means (rather than doing what we usually do and looking them up on Wikipedia performing extensive research on the subject). This time, Daily Editors Liz Jacob and Megan McGregor chronicle their journey to test the limits of carb consumption. If you have any suggestions, you know the drill: send ‘em in to tips@bwog.com.
We tried to do the impossible: eat solely free food for one entire week. We failed, but that’s okay. We learned about Columbia, ourselves, and how to acquire free food. What follows is an account of our adventures.
Friday, September 17 (Day 1): Potluck Pleasures
We were scared. Beginning such a Herculean task was daunting, to say the least. However, we decided to begin our journey at Potluck House on 114th and Broadway. We didn’t have it in ourselves to show up without a dish for the potluck, so we brought desserts from Westside. Upon arriving at Potluck House, we realized that bringing pre-prepared food to a potluck is quite unacceptable. However, we were still greeted with kindness. We decided to give the desserts as a gift. So, even though we had to purchase said desserts, we didn’t technically break our vow. Things we learned: 1. Our peers are much more skilled at the culinary arts than we are. 2. More people come to Potluck House than you’d think (including half of the Bwog staff and even an extremely friendly student from UChicago). 3. Brownstones are so much nicer than any other campus housing.
Saturday, September 18 (Day 2): Sometimes Platters of Bagels Fall From the Heavens
Megan: Saturday morning, Bwog received a tip that free bagels and pastries were being distributed at the Sundial courtesy of the Millennium Campus Conference. I dressed immediately and ran there within 10 minutes of receiving said email. Tip: If you want first pick of free food, you must arrive early! After grabbing for only one bagel, a kind stranger offered me (Liz was late—mistake!) an entire platter of bagels. Floored by this unbelievable generosity, I joyously shared the news with Liz. We received about 30 pumpernickel bagel halves apiece (we assume no collegiate leaders enjoy pumpernickel)! In case you’re in CC, that’s enough bagels for every meal for more than a week. And so began our bagel diet.
For lunch, we crashed a Columbia Political Review pitch meeting at the invitation of CPR Editor-in-Chief/fellow Bwogger/god Mark Hay. Basically, Mark held a meeting while cooking omelets for us (he had already made them for everyone else). Tip: Have nice friends that let you crash their meetings and cook for you! Mark Hay is a man among men.
Liz: Sans Megan, I headed over to Passport to Columbia in Roone Arledge Auditorium to sample the snacks provided by the multicultural groups on campus. Well-connected Columbian that I am, I managed to skip the long line at Roone’s entrance (see, it pays to come early!), and headed straight over to the food. There were samosas, dumplings, and sushi galore! I was in heaven. After eating to my stomach’s content, I will admit that I left before seeing a few (read: almost all) of the acts—which I hear were great! Note: Campus freeganism turns normal college students into vultures. Attempt it at your own risk.
More free food adventures after the jump.
It’s Morton Williams’ free bagel and a coffee D-DAY! Coupons can be found on the back cover of the 
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