London Global Games 2017

Our actual plan here in London should finally take place 😊🏈 NFL London Games at Twickenham Stadium. It was supposed to start at 1pm, so we set off around 11am. A game like this is always accompanied by various stands and game offerings around the stadium. The main goal today: NFL Fan Shop! Patrick had already looked for appropriate fan clothing here in London, but found very little or not enough to meet his expectations ☺️ so all hopes were placed here. We took the underground train a few stations before reaching the central shuttle bus service to the stadium. We got on the bus and 10 minutes later we arrived at our destination. Twickenham Stadium is actually the venue for the British rugby team and is therefore well prepared for such a major event. Many ushers and security people answered questions, provided orientation, and of course, checked. Around the stadium there were various food stands, typical football game stands, an opportunity to have your face painted, and of course, wagons selling jerseys, scarves, and sweaters of the playing teams, which were the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns. Since we are not fans of either (really not at this point! 😂), we looked for the big NFL Shop, because you can get something from all the teams there. But we didn't have to search for it for long, because we could already see it from a distance, not because it was fancy, but because a huge crowd had gathered there, all with the same intention as us 😂 well, queuing up was in order. But it went relatively fast and we could bear it... meanwhile, I had time to think about whether and which team I should buy something from🤔 I actually like the colors of the Minnesota Vikings, purple and yellow. I am a girl after all 😂 but I have to be honest, there were really many Viking fans walking around here, but somehow they all seemed unlikeable 😒 I don't know why 🤷🏼‍♀️ so I decided not to buy anything and leave the field to my husband 😂 and when we finally got into the store, I had to laugh, because the roles were reversed compared to our visit to the Harry Potter store. I stood in the corner and patiently waited while my husband happily went crazy 😊😍 he also found something and was happy 😘 I only bought a small NFL bag, which is transparent. Because you are not allowed to attend an NFL game with a closed bag here or in the States. Last year in Florida I didn't know that and was not allowed to bring my small handbag into the stadium and had to leave it at the entrance. If the bags are transparent, I can put my phone, tissues, scarf, etc. in them (just like today).

Fully packed with great stuff (...that makes life more beautiful 🎶) we entered the stadium and went to our seats. We had great seats 😍 midfield and very close to the field 😍 then the usual pre-game procedures...a music group from Cleveland started, then the two teams were welcomed, followed by the national anthem, and off we go. Since it was officially a home game for the Cleveland Browns, they were received in typical home game fashion. And since then I have been a Browns fan 😂 as I said before, the Viking fans were very unlikeable to me beforehand, and the Browns fans were more likable, but NOW that I have seen the mascot, I am a Browns fan 😂 Otto the dog 🐶 is the mascot of the team from Cleveland and of course traveled with them to support his team 😍 his owner had to run with Otto across the entire field once 😂 that's something you have to accomplish without falling 😂

So now I was all fired up for the Browns, even though they are the worst team in the league 😂🙈 well, at least no one can say I am a fair-weather fan. So at halftime, Patrick had to go back to the fan shop because I wanted to have a hat from my new favorite team. 🙈 And because it is the same with Patrick and the NFL shop as it is with me and a bookstore, I couldn't let him go in there alone 😂🙈 he came back with a third bag, because he also bought me a sweater from the Browns 😍 great husband 😚

But now let's talk briefly about the game 😂 the first half was very balanced and entertaining. In the second half, the Browns collapsed and lost quite significantly. But it was still a great event and once again worth all the effort 👍🏼

In the evening, we had pizza delivered to the hotel and watched the rest of the football games.

Tomorrow we will leave London and fly back home to our own 'mascot' Barney 😍 who we really missed in these few days. I don't know how we will manage 3 weeks in the summer 🙈

London was worth the trip and I think we will visit London a few more times ✌🏼