We didn't have too many issues leaving Dublin (although it sucked to wake up so early and we weren't 100% sure where to drop the car off- at least we didn't damage our car like the other Americans dropping off their car did) and made it out to Liverpool. I had never really driven into Liverpool in the light because I had always night-bussed it so to drive through the Albert Docks in the daylight was a treat. I recognized a lot of the downtown areas and it certainly didn't feel like an unfamiliar city.We had a little trouble getting to the hostel but once we arrived, it was so lovely to have free internet, sink down into some cushy couches and just relax. I had these loftly plans to walk all the day down to the Queens Docks but on my way past the Liverpool Cathedral I got distracted and spent my two hours there instead.
The Liverpool Cathedral is huge and much more contemporary than any of the recent cathedrals I have been in. It was started in 1904 and completed in the early 1950s. Despite it being built in a combination of Gothic and Romanesque styles, there is something very contemporary about it, starting with the odd statue over the front door. There are the usual high arched ceilings, loud echoing naves and beautiful stained glass but there is still an air of modernity. There are some very modern sculptures and paintings and at the back of the one of the chapels is a pink neon sign.
And of course, you can't have a cathedral in Liverpool without the inclusion of the Liverbird.
Directly next to the cathedral in surrounding it is St. James's cemetery. The cemetery is sunk way down in the ground while the cathedral is built much higher so the picture below is looking down into the cemetery. I loved wandering through the tunnel to get down ot the bottom and then walking through the old headstones next to the path.
It was weird to be in Liverpool and not go down to the Albert Docks to see the museums and the Mersey and the Beatles' Museum and to walk down through City Centre but we had a match to see. We took a bus down to Anfield and joined the masses.
We had great seats, right on the corner above where the kicks would be taken and about 18 rows up from the field (although it seemed much closer). Incidentally, we were surrounded by a few Lille fans (like the fellow in the picutre below who was very nice and comes over to England for concerts, matches and shopping and told me I was cute and who I felt bad for because Lille ened up losing) but we were still able to particpate in all the chants.
The Kop End was in fine form, singing "You'll Never Walk Alone", chanting things like "All Aroudn the Field of Anfield Road" and "Fernando Torres, Liverpool's Number Nine" and "Rafa, Rafael, Rafa, Rafael, Rafael Benitez" and other great and classic Liverpool chants.
A great shot of Fern :)
I love this picture because it looks like Jamie (no. 23) is scolding Fern and let's be real.... he probably is!
Captain Stevie G!
Right before the second goal
Third goal celebration
Final score! Great match all around and a hillarious bus ride home (including the greatest quote of the night from the bus driver who was angry at people crossing the street and not paying attention when he said "bloody hell, should've gone to Spec-Savers....)
Onto the old cities of York and Durham!
No comments:
Post a Comment