DAY 25: USA, USA, USA, USA!

That was our chant. Our only chant. Not creative, not that much fun but effectively annoying to English fans who had an entire arsenal of clever, drunken chants.

So the US soccer team took on the English soccer team at 4:30 in the morning – a rivalry that dates back to July 4, 1776. Okay, so what if that had nothing to do with soccer? It had everything to do with USA vs. England. Plus, it’s a lot cooler to say.

Our group of about 20 got there at about 4:00 in the morning. It was cold, very cold. We were vastly out-numbered and vastly out-enthused. The English were going crazy and had tons of chants, which I still have stuck in my head. England was supposed to win the game rather easily. Then they scored a goal very early and most everyone thought the route was on. It looked like it was going to be a long day/morning/night depending on where you were watching. Us Americans don't roll over and die. We stand. We conquer. We eat an absurd amount of fast food (I'm thinking this was the pregame speech). The U.S. stayed in it and caught a lucky break when the English goalie let a shot bounce off his hands and trickle into the back of the net. The English outplayed us and probably deserved to win but the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The English have to just hate everything American. They’re like our red-headed step-child only they used to be our parent (think Kentucky family reunion – kidding).



The big screen in the harbor.


After Dempsey scored and a fist pump from someone.

Afterwards, I wanted to sleep and thaw. We headed back to the Apartment and I passed out for a couple of hours. When I woke up a group of people was in the middle of planning a trip to Paddy’s Market. I have blogged about this place once before but it’s your typical big-city market – tons of stores, tons of people, tons of trinkets and a little overwhelming. Reluctantly, I headed out with the group. We got there and a group of about five of us broke off from the larger group. We did some wandering around and had our fill. About 30 minutes after we arrived we were heading back out. We ended up spending more time planning and getting there than actually being there but oh well.

We came back and a group of us made some burgers that were delicious and then just relaxed. After about four days of go go go, it was much needed. I headed out to get some groceries at about 10:30 – everything gets cheaper late at night. It was actually really nice. I got some really good deals and didn’t have to fight all the crazy people. This might be a habit I bring back home with me – we will see. Anyway, it was an enjoyable day and I was excited about the Team USA draw. Tomorrow is a public holiday for the Queen’s Birthday even though it is not her birthday (thanks for that logic England) so I am not sure what is planned beyond the fact I don’t have to work. I will keep you posted. Until then…

Cheers!