Soooooo, I got to enjoy my first Packers loss on a different continent for the first time! Wow, what a season. I was disappointed with the loss, but we had a great season. "C'est la vie" as the french say... that's life. For people interested in American Football and watching their team lose in OT on a broken play after giving up two turnovers in the first two passing plays of the game and leaving their pass defense in Wisconsin, I've found that there are two spots that you can go to catch the games.
There is a Holiday Inn along Cromwell Road just west of the Foundation House. At the ground level of the hotel there is a bar called The Tavern that will show the games. We went there last night and got to enjoy the game with a bunch of other traveling Americans. Beer is expensive, so if anything just grab a pint and milk it for the whole game.
There is another one that is sort of a hike called The Sports Cafe. You can take the underground to the Piccadilly Circus stop and head south on Haymarket Street to get there. Two blocks west of Trafalgar Square. I heard that that was one of the other places that would stay open later for American Football. Now, I've heard mixed reviews about this bar, so be warned. Again, pricey and I also read, from the reviews on Google, that it isn't the cleanest. I wouldn't take my word for it, go out and explore it. Many bars and pubs remodel and do continuous improvements from year to year with their establishments.
Take note: Pubs stop serving at 11:00 PM, Bars stop serving at Midnight and Clubs stay open until 3-4 in the morning. Clubs have entrance fees for the gents, free for the women. For someone not knowingly aware of some of the cultural norms in London and much of Britain, you DO NOT need to tip the bartender. They are payed by the hour instead of having a very low wage and tips making up their total pay, like in the U.S. You do however need to tip waiters and waitresses, if they are good. If your service at a restaurant isn't up to par it is not out of the norm to not tip them over here.
Yesterday was the first day of classes. Each class period is 3 hours long, it sounds worse than it actually is. The professors are quite interesting and its really enjoyable to look outside of the box when it comes to global preconceived ideas on topics. But, it is the first week of classes, I hope I haven't spoken too soon. I still have yet to talk to a Londoner for more than a few minutes. It's almost like a social "dis-ease" over here if that makes sense... it's not uncommon for the British people to give you a very short, candid answer to questions you shoot at them.
I was talking with a bartender a few nights ago about places to get cheap groceries at and it wasn't the easiest conversation to have, should have been half as easy just by the pure nature of it anyways. He had an anxious look on his face and when he spoke it sounded painful. I felt like I was an interrogator asking about his religious beliefs or his political views. Social “dis-ease.” Is this a feeling of culture shock? Already? I'm not sure, but it is something that has moved me a few steps back on the game board. Now, this isn't true for all the common folk of London, but just something to take note of.
I'm sure I'll understand Pub Culture and social interaction a lot better with the coming months ahead. But for now, I'm lost in translation and British jargon. Like for instance the word: queue. It's the word synonymous to line used in London. It makes perfect sense, but I was confused when I first heard it in context.
Here's my British street talk sign-off:I'm a tired bloke right now, I've had such a kicking good time I could've forgot I was wearing me trousers and I wouldn't have noticed. The bartender seemed a little bit dodgy but all in all I got to watch the Packer game. Even if I lost the plot along the way I had a smashing good time. I just hope the Brits aren't taking mickey when they see Americans comin' into the pub. Be a shame. I'm going to take a quick kip. Cheers.
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