DCHeather's trip and match diary, thus far...

Day One:

I’ve been in London for two and half days and even though that’s a very short time it has been very long and tiring. I arrived early Friday morning, at 5:50 am (London time), did the usual get off the plane with carry-on luggage and made may around the huge Heathrow maze to the immigration visa/security checkpoint. This is where the fun begins, I feel as though I was one answer away from being thrown back on the plane with only half of my remaining luggage. I waited in the “other” Non-EU visa passport line for about an hour, only to get thrown into what I suspect was the “shady” character line, that only contained of about 6 or 7 people at a time but moved very slowly because as each individual was questioned about half to 1 hour each. Fun, fun, fun. I think I managed to get pulled into this line because I managed to get myself between two young, male passengers that had just disembarked from Hong Kong; or immigration officials think 5'5 skinny ass, American chicks pose a threat to national security. Anyway, I finally manage to get to the immigration official’s little podium of doom, where I have to explain why I in my right mind would ever want to visit the UK. I think it’s beyond them to comprehend why anyone would want to have a long holiday in London. I tell the woman that I’m here to see some football matches and I will be staying for two and half weeks. This little explanation has now made me a terrorist suspect.
“You’re here for 2 and half weeks to see football matches?” she says with a look of complete disbelief.
“What team do you support?” “Fulham,” I answer. I am now the fourth command leader of al-qaeda.
“You’re here to see Fulham?” “Yes.” She now looks at my passport more closely and sees that I have a prior UK entry stamp in my passport. “I see you were here before, what was the nature of your visit?” “Sightseeing.” This answer seems to have calmed here a little. But then continues her interrogation, “but why do have no other country’s entry stamps in your passport?” Well, I tell I prefer to visit the UK when I travel abroad, hoping a little kissing up would help me. No dice, in fact I have moved into second-in-command. “But if you visit no other countries, how would you know you prefer this country?” UGH. “I suppose you have a point.” Never kiss-up to the immigration folks, and don’t be polite or kind–it only makes them even more suspicious of you. Again, she question me for another 20 minutes about the nature of my visit. We finally get to two question that I seem to answer to her satisfaction and I get my passport stamped.
“If you support Fulham, name their players.” I proceed to name all the Fulham players that feature in the starting line-up. “Besides Fulham, are there any other football teams you support?” “Yes, I follow DC United back home.” I have now gained entry into the wonderful UK. The trick is to be a DC United supporter. I didn’t know what I was going to do if the questions continued and had to tell Mike I had be placed on an immediate flight back to the US. “Sorry, Mike, I couldn’t name Fulham’s entire line-up from 1899.”

After settling into my hotel room and the such (major thanks to Holiday Inn Express staff for letting me check-in early, they are very friendly and wonderful at their jobs), I met-up with American Mike at the club shop to do a little shopping and to pick-up my tickets. After the club shop, we walked to Craven Cottage’s for some coffee and little walk around the Cottage and Bishops park. Finally, we headed to the Golden Lion for some drinks and waited for MW2. Big thanks, to American Mike and MW2 for buying me food and drink, I owe you. I enjoyed the pleasure of finally meeting you two in person for the first time. And no sharing of embarrassing stories please. I have ammo, too. :lol:

Day Two (Matchday):

I had my complimentary breakfast and went down to Tescos to get a sandwich and drink for the coach ride up to Birmingham. I arrived at the Cottage before the coaches, so I sat down on the benches in Bishops Park and watched the kids play and I swear I saw some of the Fulham training staff working with a member of the team? No idea who they were but they seemed to be big in size and all had short, brown hair. I know, it could have been anyone.
The coach ride up to Birmingham was uneventful, we did stop at a rest area for a half hour. This was my first and only rest area experience in the UK (that I have memory of) but they are a lot smaller than the ones I’m familiar with back home. The toilet stalls were very small and the ugliest shade of pink of I have ever seen in my life. I may have a limited experience with the rest areas in the UK, but I’m ready to declare that the rest area situation is definitely superior in the States--in case you were wondering.
We finally made it to Villa Park and met-up with Mike, Katy, and her family before the kick-off. Everyone seemed surprised and felt a little bad that this was going to be my first Fulham match, as the team was not likely to get a result. But I felt Fulham were going to get something from the match, as they have been eking out points the past couple of matches. The game was about to kick-off and we made our way out to the seats. It had raining off and on the way up to Birmingham, but I thought the rain shouldn’t matter as Villa Park has covering over the seats. I hate being wrong, and wrong I was in assuming the rain wouldn’t matter. The heavy rain and wind was soaking us Fulham fans from the opening kick-of until about 60th minute in the second half. To top it off it was fairly chilly as well. I concentrated for most of the match on trying to keep my camera dry and myself warm. Needless to say I only have a couple of pictures of Fulham’s warm-up.
As for the game itself, both teams had excellent chances and was clear that Fulham were playing for a draw. The Fulham away fans kept themselves in good spirits by constantly singing and shouting “Wanker,” at the ref. Also, giving Ridgewell a hard time by asking him politely to hoof the ball. Even though the game ended in a draw, I really enjoyed the match and prefer seeing a Premiership match in person--it’s unbelievable how much you don’t see on the TV. Even just sitting in the stands and taking the whole experience in with your fellow supporters is a treat in itself. I am looking forward to my first match at Craven Cottage and cheering on the Whites to three points.

 

RE: DCHeather

DCH: Thanks for the post. It brings back memories. And thanks for the cheering and chanting yesterday. I could have sworn I'd heard a "skinny-ass Maryland chick" amongst all the other voices.

Looking forward to volume 2

 

RE: DCHeather

Glad to hear people are enjoying my diary. I haven't been doing much since Saturday, I spent most of Sunday in bed and catching up on some much needed rest, and of course, writting my diary. I did manage to go to my favorite place in London, today. And that would be Harrods, I could spend an entire week in their food court. I'm sure Mr. Fayed would be glad to hear that.

 

RE: Re: DCHeather

I've been meaning to update this. Oh well.

I did finally manage to upload some photos of the trip onto flickr.

some Fulham, Craven Cottage, and Bishop's Park photos

some pictures of a Guy Fawke's Bonfire Night

 

RE: Re: DCHeather

Thanks for the pix, DCH, and welcome back; we've been missing you.

 

Aww...why you picking on my kitty? She's a sweetie.

 

btw...thanks for the kind words, Petty and HatterDon.