The computer issues continued for the better part of last week, but I think we finally have it under control. (That might be the most dangerous problem, thinking I have it under control.)
Chizz and I went to a football (soccer for you Americans) match yesterday between the Queens Park Rangers and the Wolves. Doesn't Queen Park Rangers sound like a made-up musical group, -- every time I hear the name I think Bay City Rollers. S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night. Anyway, we went with one of Chizz's work colleagues and her partner/boyfriend, whatever you call him. He is very much like Chizz, never met a pub he didn't like and likes to try to find an interesting pub everywhere we go. So we met for a quick drink before going to the match. I found out that they do not serve alcohol at most soccer matches, which surprised me. After being at the game though, I can see where alcohol would add a whole new element which might not be on the positive side.
At matches here, they do side seating. So if you are a Queen's Park Rangers Fan, you have a certain section to sit in and if you are a Wolves fan you sit in another. There is no mixing of the fans. You won't find a rogue Wolves fan sitting in the midst of a QPR section. So you buy a ticket for either the home section or the away section. I asked what would happen if, for example, the side you wanted to sit in was sold out and you bought a ticket in the other section? "Why, why would you do that?" Bruce's work friend asked in a kind of panicked voice as if I had just suggested we drop kick a bunch of puppies. I just want to know. What would happen if you were an away team supporter and you got a ticket in the home section? After assuring me that this would never, ever happen and she was only indulging me in a hypothetical fashion because it would never, ever happen, she explained to me probably nothing, as long as you didn't cheer AT ALL for the other team, you didn't wear the opposing teams colors and you didn't let on in any way that you were an interloper. But at the same time, our hosts couldn't fathom why you would do that? Why would you sit in the opposing team's section? It wouldn't matter if you couldn't get a seat in your section, you just don't buy a ticket in the other section. If caught, you most likely would be ejected.
So we got to our seats right after kick off. Already the fans in our section (the away side) were jawing it up with the home team fans sitting closest to us. Insults were thrown back and forth. "Pretty soon you will be cheering for Chelsea" I really didn't understand why that was so bad but our friends thought it was a terrible burn. Each team also has team songs that they sing and that everyone seems to know but there is no formal song sheet or anything. So it went back and forth, it until I noticed the security staff of the stadium talking with the home fans. After a while the fans were escorted off! Why I wondered? We were told probably taken off for inciting the away fans. Really? Wow, that seems kind of harsh. It seemed that the back and forth was all in good fun. But I think they worry this kind of thing will get out of hand. The game ended in a nil-nil tie. There was all kind of police presence outside of the stadium as well. Dozens of police officers lined the streets outside, even the mounted horse patrol were in riot gear. It seemed excessive but it did the trick, people seemed to disperse without any difficulty or problems.
After the match, we went to a Moroccan restaurant in London called Momos. It was great. I have had bits and pieces of Moroccan food before but this was the first time I have had a whole meal and I can heartily endorse it. Apparently Madonna has eaten here before but most likely in the private VIP room downstairs. Chizz "accidentally" went in there when he was looking for the facilities. So after he reported on it, we all "accidentally" went in there as well on our way to the little boys or girls rooms. I don't know that it had quite the atmosphere of the more public dining room but there were lots of pillows and silk hangings - so it might have been a bit fancier. The people couldn't have been nicer.
The place was so good, I am looking into a Moroccan vacation for us before we leave. I always like to pick my vacation spots based on good restaurant meals. Who knows? This may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
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