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Europe 2016: Theatre of Dreams
posted : Monday, September 12, 2016
Obligatory trip to Manchester!
I thought I had to at least make a trip to Manchester just in case I don't get to return to UK in future. Problem is, I had a little bit of trouble fitting it in. Initially planned to stay a night then fly out to Amsterdam from Manchester but couldn't find cheap flights. And decided that there really is only one place I wanted to visit in Manchester so probably don't need to stay for the night so made it a day trip instead. Even though it's a bit rushed.
Early morning train to Manchester amidst the rainy weather and reached Manchester Piccadilly at about 11am. Still had about 2 hours to kill so had an early lunch of sandwich I grabbed from a random cafe earlier, on a bench in a park. Strolled past Chinatown towards the Town Hall, and ended up in the shopping district (Market St? Exchange Sq? Can't remember the names) for a while, before heading back to Piccadilly station to catch a bus to Old Trafford.
From London Euston.
Coffee to warm myself up for the day. Literally and figuratively.
Manchester Piccadilly.
Where to go? I don't actually have a plan hahahah.
Found myself in Manchester's Gay Village on my way to Chinatown. If you think this is subtle...
How about this =.= Anyway nobody around la it's broad daylight. Nobody parties during daytime.
Another arch, for collection sake?
Manchester Town Hall
The shopping streets.
Ooh there's a Sunday Market. But it's not Sunday.
I don't remember how exactly I became a fan and actually I don't know if I can be considered one, actually. Part time fan maybe. Haven't been watching matches for a few seasons now - lazy to find good streaming websites that don't lag. They haven't been great these past couple of seasons either. But it's still a trip I wanted to make. Signed up for stadium tour too (which is actually cheaper than the Wimbledon one) and it's pretty cool to see the stadium up close, the players changing room, other facilities etc. All things that you have seen on TV before but finally you get to be there in person.
Goosebumps.
This is actually pretty cool!
Hyperventilating mode activated. Btw those two on either side of the photo are the long time guides.
Stretford End where the loudest and most loyal supporters are.
Guide says this is the best place for a photo so here it is.
Changing room. Jerseys of those who started in the last home match were on display. Sigh been out of touch for so long.
Half time tactics?
The tunnel. Didnt get to walk out, but they did play a pre-recorded ovation so that we get a feel of how it's like before walking out for a match.
Magnificent.
Bucket list item, check.
Quite a few chuckles too when LVG made an appearance in the welcome video. His days were numbered at that point, and now I actually can't imagine Mourinho in the same position giving welcome speeches. Hung around the gift shop for a while wondering if I should buy a jersey but decided against it in the end. Nah, fake ones will do hahahah. Then it's a bus back to Piccadilly, where I have time for a quick dinner before catching the train back to London. 
Still don't quite get how the tickets work. Got all confused when I collected the tickets (bought online, self-collected at machines), because machine just kept dispensing tickets (I was only expecting two for the return trip). Basically I think they come in a pair, one for your seat and one to access the train?
Canada Waters and the building I lived in - Ontario Point. Not sure why the Canadian references.
Took a short walk in the drizzle to check out Decathlon.
Last night in London so didn't go crazy (somehow this sentence sounded a bit wrong) and headed back to pack. |
