I'm sure none of you remember this competition run by this very site a few month ago but I do because, by some utter fluke, I managed to Lawro (that's right, he's a verb now) my way to the prize.
Anyway, today's the day I've returned from what have been the greatest 5 days of my life. I can't begin to tell you how much joy this spectacular gift has given me.
I won't bore you with stories of how I've eaten enough pizza and ice cream to fill the Hudson River or how, after countless hours of tutorials by the locals, I still can't even fathom the most basic rules of baseball, because I'm sure you don't want to hear it.
I'll just get to the subject matter - though there are two disclaimers 1) I didn't make it to the Lisbon game & 2) due to my atrocious technological skills photos are scarce (who knew you have to charge up cameras?!)
My first taste of City in The Big Apple came just as I arrived in Manhattan late evening. Whilst checking out the parking job on a white transit I noticed a familiar site in the foreground:
These little welcome signs were on bus shelters all over the city. To be honest I wasn't quite sure if I "Abu Dhabi Travellers Welcome" really referred to me, but it was just nice to see a the badge dotted around the place.
I'm hoping one of our resident photoshop experts could rustle me something up with the above image and something to do with NY for a new avatar? Old Bob's looking a bit bored of my ramblings now. Thanks.
On the second day I ventured to The Mad Hatter Pub on 3rd. This is, officially, the hottest place on the face of the earth. As my dad doesn't really drink I wondered in alone, but soon got talking to a few Blues wearing the shirt outside. These guys were American (though I can't really remember from where) and had flown for hours to see City for their first time that night.
I told them about the competition I'd won and tried to spread the word of MCF.net. It was about this time that they said they have to leave. I had a few more in The Hatter before visiting a friend I'd not seen since Uni and dragging her to the pub to watch the game, I couldn't help feel a little sorry for the two gents who witnessed that performance as their first live one.
The Hatter was a great place and I'd highly recommend visiting if you're ever over, I've yet to decide whether us having our own little place in the centre of New York is a little indie or is actually another cog in the machine of our genuine global domination.
You'll be glad to know it wasn't all just fun for me, and on the Sunday I did actually manage to make it to the 'double-header' at the New York Red Bulls Arena. The Arena is actually in another state, so the trip from NY took us about an hour. After speaking to a NYRB fan on the subway after the match he told me that there would never be enough US interest in football for a stadium to be put in NY.
You might just be able to make out the stadium there in the background. It reminded me of a smaller, metalier, less concrete Eastlands. Especially with the developing landscape surrounding it.
Once inside the fans around me seemed disinterested in the football. The concourse queues were constant whereas the stadium was always half empty.
The organisers did their best to liven things up but unfortunately this was by playing little musical skits after shots or saves made by the RBs.
I've not really looked through the match thread on here, but I can pretty much imagine what it'll say. Adding my own views now so far after would seem daft as I'm sure many of you have saw the game. One thing I would say is that although the City (and, to be fair Tottenham) fans were in fine voice, the players seemed to reciprocate the lacklustre of the event.
A quick mention to anyone who was also in the subway queue after the match, I imagine some of you must still be there.
Apologies too to DoomMerchant, I have only just got access to a computer today and didn't read you message. Give me a shout when your hear and I'm sure we can talk at great lengths whether 77 or Remain in Light is the more seminal record then.
Thank you to the kind sponsor of this trip, your kindness is greatly appreciated.
Finally thanks especially to the uber-patient King Kev who must've dreaded switching his computer on the amount of times I've pestered him in recent months. Your help was fantastic.
Thanks for reading, due to my terrible fear of flying I've not slept for over 30 hours now so I bid you good day!
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