Beer: It's Not Just For Breakfast Anymore

Finally made it to our first Olympic event-men's volleyball!  We chose to cheer for Team Polska because we felt we owed them for that whole "screwed you over post WWII and let Stalin have his way with you," and Serbia because they were playing Russia.  Yes, I realize that Russia is not the USSR, but some habits die hard.  We hit it hard early, because we were 4 Big 10 alums and know how to day drink with class and style.  We've been to our local pub, the Stanhope Arms, several times, mainly because that's where we saw Rudy Huxtible and were hoping she would show again.  So far, no good.  Tried my first fish and chips today and it was great, but still loving on the pub style sausage and mash combo.  I don't know what they put in the gravy here, but I have a feeling it was some crack. 

We headed down to Westminster for a Thames riverboat cruise, and got some great shots of the Olympic rings hanging from Tower Bridge-can't wait to put up the photos!

This has been 6 crazy days so far, and only 3 more whole days left in London, and I'm already sad to leave.  London is such a cool city, and the English are very friendly and helpful-I have a feeling we are far from the most obnoxious tourists. 

It's been a bizarre few days hanging with someone from high school that I haven't seen or heard from in 16 years-Adam Swart!  What started out as a "let's try to meet up for a pint" turned into 3 days and nights of hard core drinking and fun!  We are already planning our 2014 trip to Sochi, Russia, for the Winter Olympics!  Adam is anxiously awaiting the Excel travel spreadsheet.  It's crazy to think that 3 people from Newton County, Indiana, are all together for such a world class event! 

Best quotes of the trip so far:
-"Cockfosters-Australian for Cocks."
-"Cider is like breakfast beer."
-"You know that guy from Nigeria that's always sending you those emails about your bank account?  We just met him."
-"I should have brought my Bob Costas sign."
-"Never change.  Whatever you do, never change."
-About a Japanese sprinter-"He looks like he's wearing makeup."  "And a wig.  He looks like a Thai lady boy."  Followed by noticing the Japanese tourists at the table next to us.
-At the Chase Visa Lounge the second day we visited:  "HEY!  NEW PRETZELS!"
-"I didn't know if Adam would think I was crazy or still fun.  Notice I said STILL fun.  I was kind of a dick in high school."
-"Bugger off, wanker!"
-From the people behind us at volleyball, "It's not even 11 o'clock in the morning!"

Best moments of the trip so far:
-Jessica slamming the glass down on the table after losing a trivia question all Hulk-like, and it breaking apart, sending shards of glass flying into Adam's face
-Erin waving her tiny American flag like a crazed college mascot at a football game
-Our crazed wonder at the magical land of the Chase Visa Lounge
-Best soba noodles and sushi EVER from Chef Morimoto-and these awesome pork things that we didn't know what they were other than delicious
-FIRST OLYMPIC EVENT!!

Trip of a lifetime so far-how can it get better?? But wait, there's more!  Handball and volleyball tomorrow night, meeting Nadia and going to Beach Volleyball Wednesday, and then Wrestling on Thursday.  I already loved the Olympics like crazy before-and there is nothing like it live.  Nothing.