Soccer.....England Style

Howdy Mates, so there is passion for Soccer and then there is passion for football and boy did I witness it last night during the opening game US vs. England. While a small percentage of America was watching the match in South Africa an entire Country watched with huge expecations on this side of the Pond. I represented my country proudly 1 US fan in a sea of 200 plus drinking England fans. When England scored at 3:55 I thought I was in for a long night but Dempsey, Donnovan, and the boys held strong. I got a really dose of global US perception during the US national anthem when the bar boo'd... The only harrassment I faced was in the bathroom during halftime, serious bro save it for the bar the last thing I need is your drunk ass barking at me when I'm peeing! Overall I had a good group of England friends that would either protect me or be the first to punch me at some point but it was fun. By the reactionof the country and press you'd thought they lost the world cup outward last night out tright. They live to play another day, Friday after the US. I will again wear my US proudly and then remove that jersey and lift a pint or two in a roudy English bar for the England game.

More soon, I promise!

Easter Sunday In London

Happy Easter From London! Although it was cold today it only rained in the morning and the sun broke through periodically. After watching a few hours of the Niketown London annual easter football tournament I took a 2 1/2 hour bus tour of the city. Get out your pen and paper I have a couple fantastic London trivia questions for you.

The clock tower pictured is known as "Big Ben" its actual name is the Westminster Clock tower and thte bell at the top of the tower is known as "Big Ben".

Everytime you enter and leave the actual city of London you will pass a Dragon statue on either side of the road. Some are simple some are detailed. But all are a fantastic welcome to the heart of London.

The Kinnaird House in West London near Trafalgar Square was the location where travelers picked up there tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic.

And finally making the trip worth the 25 pounds, Texas is the only US state to have an Emabassy in London. The only problem is when they started construction they only finished the Cantina! Of course! I'll be eating there this week and giving my full report!

Easter is a week long holiday here, people start taking vacation on Tuesday and they won't go back to work until Tuesday. It's kind of nice seeing more that 75% of businesses closed today unless you need milk and then you are treking to every shop you remember seeing to see if they an available pint.

I have been struggling with my running a bit due to a cold I seem to have aquired, the bike at the gym is my new friend while battling the evloving English cold.

Have a great Day, Miss you all!

Ok, so I'm back....sorry for the delay

I was a typical New Yorker this morning! During my 13 mile run I got to a portion of downtown and there were a million people taking freaking pictures. I can understand if it was buckingham palace (ran by there) parliment (check) 10 downing street (check, prime minister lives there) but this was just some random street corner and there were like 100 people posing as if it was the oscars! So after I berated some poor smuck who was using his human zoom instead of his actual zoom I decided to stop and look up. They were only taking pictures of one of the worlds most noticible land marks...."BIG freakin BEN"! Who runs by Big Ben on a weekend day at 10am....lesson learned. The funny thing is that this is third time I ran by that corner without noticing it. I'm obviously running to hard I need to pick up leisurly jogging.

Ok, being without internet and TV for two weeks was interesting. You don't realize how much you get on line until you don't have it. Between TV, internet, and some furniture I had devivered last week I had to be home for the dreaded delivery window. The funny thing is when they say we'll be there between 1 and 5 in the US that means see your asses at 530p. London is such a laid back city I thought for sure I was in for the long haul but each showed up by 130p on the corresponding days allowing me not to waste a cummulative day of my life....amazing!

Still no fish and chips people!

Gotta hang dry my laundry, more to follow!

Chris

Eight Days No Fish and Chips

There is an awesome Burrito spot near my Flat, they serve Bruno style Burrito's (not a racial joke) which means there the size of a college football. The place is called Tortilla, there take out bags are industrial strength and they serve pitchers of margaritta's and buckets of beer. What more do you need! Everyone warned me that the food in London was less than desireable but then I'm sure my diet in NYC was actually more than two stars. Ok, good buff wings and red velevet cake make it three stars. I did realize today that London is near the coast which actually makes fish and chips a relevant food. I'm holding out though until I have visitors!!!

Two days of sun here and they are talking about spring already, I think we are getting ahead of ourselves a bit. Run clubbers must look at the weather because there were 20 people wearing singlets and split legs! I was wearing a jacket and gloves. Crazy Runners....

Ok, seriously people keep asking me for directions!

I have been asked for directions 4 times since I have been here. Funny thing is one person was looking for the Cock and Lion Pub which I will be living above so I knew where it was. Crazy! Today's long run turned into a very enjoyable running/sightseeing run through west london. I headed through Hyde Park by Kensignton Palace (not sure who lived there) and then by the Albert Memorial on the southside of the park. There were numerous weekend warrior rugby matches taking place on the football pitches very muddy. After exiting on the south east corner of the park I headed through the Australia war memorial and into Green park which is the home to Buckingham Palace and the Palace guards. On Sunday's they don't allow car traphic into the park so its nice to run on the road not dodging tourists. After leaving Green Park I headed north up regent street which turned out to be a running mistake because I could barely run because of the crowds. I ran through Piccadilly Circus which is the London equivilent to Time Square (small though) and then ducked off busy regent street through some really alleys with pubs and shops. I'll be back to check it out when not running for sure. From there I headed up to Regents park if your following along at home or on google maps Josh. I know you'll want to know the route! I ran the outer circle of Regent's park and then reveresed my way back the same way I came. It was a great run, no rain until after I had finished. Of course I waiting to crash but USA hockey tied it up so I'm hanging on for the finish.

Week 1...Done

Hey Gang week 1 in Lodon is under my belt and it was quite a week. Someone told me it rained in London....but not this much it has rained the entire week. My week was a balance of work events which included working, eating and drinking. Oh yah a typical week at crazy Nike. My other priority was not to get lost this week which I successfuly managed to not look like a tourist except when I opened my mouth and actually spoke. Slept in today got my Italian (white coffee as it called) and a danish and then headed out for the famous Portobebello Road Market (The movie Notting Hill was filmed there. The book store from the movie is now a clothing store or may it was always a clothing store) The market was great I ate my way through it there is a huge selection of shops and restaurants, vegetable market, and loads of antique booths and small markets.

Running this week was good! Goodbye hills... Hyde Park is about as flat as anywhere I have ever run. Of course I am trading the hills and cold right now for the rain. I think I would prefer the cold and hills verses the slop!

Found a place to Live on Wednesday and Thursday. I looked at about 20 flats in total and found one in central london about 5 minutes from work in Marylebone about one block away from High street (picture above) and two blocks from oxford street. The Address is 56-60 Wigmore Street Westminster London if you want to look it up its the brick buidling above the building with the sign ASK on it. Oh yah and there is a great pub next door called the Cock and Lion.

Thats it for today, I'll post soon.