I just got back from the NYC event ( I live in Illinois, USA). What a great time! To wit:
The ride from the Mad Hatter to the Subway Train was surreal. We had four double-decker buses (unless I was seeing one double) with rowdy Blues singing songs throughout lower Manhattan. There is no doubt New York knew City were there! I specifically remember the poor Rag Wanker that staggered out of a bar while we were on route and the WHO ARE YA he was bombarded with...by bus after bus.
The Mad Hatter lived up to its reputation...The bar was wall to wall Blue (okay, I did see one Scouser, but he was having fun too). After an introduction and the first beer was served, bartenders Diana and Kim remembered your name, your drink, and kept your tab. Megan ran her arse of on tables, as did all waitresses (Sorry for not catching all names),
What a great time to rub shoulders with Mike Summerbee. He never turned down a picture, and it was genuinely fun to be around him.
Jonesey and crew arranged for buses to take us directly to the Red Bulls match, and beers were provided! But the best was when the bus behind the one I was on got sidetracked, we pulled over on the major road we were on, and a busload of Blues lined up on the highway and took the piss. Right there. I laughed my arse off!
The games--well, Bellamy did have that one good rush 4 minutes into the first game.
What a great time! I have made so many friends on this trip--I will be seeing you all this season--working on arrangements now. I have kept emails, and will be writing soon..I am looking forward to Mary D's, Didsburg, The Nelson, City Road Inn, and Townley Pub crawl i will be doing very soon. Cheers!