My girlfriend and I were lucky enough to have teaching-leaves from our jobs here in the US. We decided to spend two months in Liverpool, since 1) we could watch the blues and 2) to work (we had affiliate research positions at LJMU). We stayed at apartments at the University of Liverpool, so for two months I could boast that my postcode was a non-wool L7 7AJ.
The only point to this LONGGGG post is to say Thank You to all of you Scousers for making your city such a fabulous place to visit. Upon leaving last week, this was honestly one of the first times in my life where I was sad to leave. I cherish my hometown, my friends, and my big ole house out in the country at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains (in Virginia), so usually no matter where I travel to, I always look forward to being home. Not this time. Getting on the train at Lime Street on the way to Manchester airport I was misty eyed. No more trips to Goodison, no more walks around the city, no more friendly chats with folks I could barely understand despite speaking the same language. No more properly measured pints...until next time.
We managed to see the Blues 6 times: West Ham, Hull, Krasnodar, QPR, Stoke, and Newcastle (away). Also managed to catch Tranmere Rovers when they played Swansea in the FA cup.
Just want to give positive shout-outs, thanks, and praise to the following institutions, places, things, etc:
Goodison Park (as well as Alby at the Royal Oak):
Dom and the folks at Fly in the Loaf:
The Berry and Rye for creating a speakeasy-type feel without any pretension (just knock on the unmarked door at 48 Berry Street):
The Superlamb Bananas…I love these playful, silly things:
The cool tiles in the upper balcony bathrooms at Goodison:
The Grapes Pubmaster for friendliness and excellent Lao/Thai food:
The disproportionately beautiful arch at the entrance of the rather uninspired Chinatown:
The Belvedere for excellent Gin and Tonics and odd-topic philosophy discussions (never actually attended one):
The cool lampposts outside St. George's Hall:
The great and FREE museums down by the docks:
The Caledonian for being open for three hours on Christmas day and serving us great starters and Christmas cake:
Tranmere Rovers for having a funny nickname for their fanbase:
The beautiful central Library with its juxtaposition of old and new:
The fancy urinals at the Philharmonic:
The beautiful Liverpool Cathedral and the views from atop the Bell Tower:
The Ship and Mitre for serving great Belgian beers before catching the 919 to Goodison:
That ugly-ass Radio Tower that allowed me to keep my bearing in radially-oriented Liverpool 1 area:
Walking for 45 minutes and getting lost just to find that little former drunk lock-up that carries lots of significance:
I would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Vine Court, University of Liverpool, for providing a highly functional apartment.
We also made it to other cities to catch football and rugby: ManCity v. Sunderland at the Ethiad (generic spaceship plunked down in middle of nowhere); Villa v. ManU at Villa Park (nice stadium, good atmosphere), USA v. Ireland (friendly) at Aviva Stadium (less generic than the Ethiad and nearer to town), Burnley v. Hull at Turf Moor (tiny stadium, great fans); Ireland v. Georgia (friendly, rugby) at Aviva Stadium; Cardiff v. Benetton Treviso (rugby) at Cardiff Arms Park (cool little stadium). But no other city or stadium came close to what you all have in Liverpool.
Never made it to Anfield.
You guys are lucky, those who get to live in Liverpool. Thanks for making Liverpool the great city that it is.
The only point to this LONGGGG post is to say Thank You to all of you Scousers for making your city such a fabulous place to visit. Upon leaving last week, this was honestly one of the first times in my life where I was sad to leave. I cherish my hometown, my friends, and my big ole house out in the country at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains (in Virginia), so usually no matter where I travel to, I always look forward to being home. Not this time. Getting on the train at Lime Street on the way to Manchester airport I was misty eyed. No more trips to Goodison, no more walks around the city, no more friendly chats with folks I could barely understand despite speaking the same language. No more properly measured pints...until next time.
We managed to see the Blues 6 times: West Ham, Hull, Krasnodar, QPR, Stoke, and Newcastle (away). Also managed to catch Tranmere Rovers when they played Swansea in the FA cup.
Just want to give positive shout-outs, thanks, and praise to the following institutions, places, things, etc:
Goodison Park (as well as Alby at the Royal Oak):
Dom and the folks at Fly in the Loaf:
The Berry and Rye for creating a speakeasy-type feel without any pretension (just knock on the unmarked door at 48 Berry Street):
The Superlamb Bananas…I love these playful, silly things:
The cool tiles in the upper balcony bathrooms at Goodison:
The Grapes Pubmaster for friendliness and excellent Lao/Thai food:
The disproportionately beautiful arch at the entrance of the rather uninspired Chinatown:
The Belvedere for excellent Gin and Tonics and odd-topic philosophy discussions (never actually attended one):
The cool lampposts outside St. George's Hall:
The great and FREE museums down by the docks:
The Caledonian for being open for three hours on Christmas day and serving us great starters and Christmas cake:
Tranmere Rovers for having a funny nickname for their fanbase:
The beautiful central Library with its juxtaposition of old and new:
The fancy urinals at the Philharmonic:
The beautiful Liverpool Cathedral and the views from atop the Bell Tower:
The Ship and Mitre for serving great Belgian beers before catching the 919 to Goodison:
That ugly-ass Radio Tower that allowed me to keep my bearing in radially-oriented Liverpool 1 area:
Walking for 45 minutes and getting lost just to find that little former drunk lock-up that carries lots of significance:
I would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Vine Court, University of Liverpool, for providing a highly functional apartment.
We also made it to other cities to catch football and rugby: ManCity v. Sunderland at the Ethiad (generic spaceship plunked down in middle of nowhere); Villa v. ManU at Villa Park (nice stadium, good atmosphere), USA v. Ireland (friendly) at Aviva Stadium (less generic than the Ethiad and nearer to town), Burnley v. Hull at Turf Moor (tiny stadium, great fans); Ireland v. Georgia (friendly, rugby) at Aviva Stadium; Cardiff v. Benetton Treviso (rugby) at Cardiff Arms Park (cool little stadium). But no other city or stadium came close to what you all have in Liverpool.
Never made it to Anfield.
You guys are lucky, those who get to live in Liverpool. Thanks for making Liverpool the great city that it is.
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