#PETER ON TOUR - THE SPORTS EDITION

We used Peter's trip as an excuse to sneak in a couple of sports games so that we could give him an "American experience" but also so we could tick some more off our list. First up was an ice hockey match. 

I chose the matches to go to and decided that since I was in LA I should really go see the Anaheim Ducks who are in fact The Mighty Ducks. Yup, I was fully expecting to see Emilio Estevez coaching them and some impressive flying V formations. Unfortunately things have moved on since the nineties and in fact this game is played by fully grown men, not kids. Shame. But they were still pretty impressive. 

The NHL games are definitely entertaining and very full on. It was rather loud and noisy with lots of entertainment slots in the breaks. Every time the home team won there was lots of noise and flashing lights with everyone cheering their heads off. The cheerleaders came out on skates at different points and did their thing too. There were even a few minor fights which we enjoyed!  

Andrew got quite into it in fact, he was screaming his head off. Apparently he really likes hockey and has chosen it as his American sport. I however disagree. I have well and truly become an American football fan, especially after our next sports game.

So the final sports game was an American football game. We've been to a pre-season NFL game so we decided to try a college game as we had been told they were pretty impressive. They weren't wrong. We went to see the University of Southern California, known as the Trojans. It was homecoming week too so it was insanely busy and so much fun.

The build up and entertainment factor at a football game is definitely bigger than the hockey. When we arrived and finally found our seats there was a humongous marching band on the field playing and entertaining with a guy dressed up as a soldier in full costume leading them around. After the fireworks the team took to the field and the game began. 

Half time saw the band take to the field again, but this time it was 1000 strong! It played some impressive tunes and just took our breath away at the sheer size of it. No university game in England really has this much pomp and circumstance! Its insane!

But I have to say that the highlight of the game wasn't winning the match, it was what happened every time they scored a touchdown. Just watch and you'll see!

Yup every time they scored their mascot, Traveler the horse, would charge up and down the field whilst the band played and the crowd chanted! It was truly insane. 

But thats just one of the reasons I love football (said in a slow Southern drawl!). 

H

LET'S GO SEAHAWKS!

Our trip down to San Diego was partly to relax and have some time sans Mr Macintosh, but it was also a lot to do with our first NFL experience. For those of you who are English and have no idea what I'm talking about, we went to see an American football game. To be more precise we went to see the San Diego Chargers take on the Seattle Seahawks in one of their pre-season games.

My experience of American football up until this point was very limited, and mostly revolved around watching the Super Bowl, so I wasn't expecting to understand very much but thankfully we were sat next to two very nice Seahawks fans who were happy to explain anything that was a little beyond us. So basically we constantly badgered them to explain what was happening!

Now the world of American football is very different to any sport back in the UK. This is such a big franchise. The teams have so many players. There are tons of support staff and coaches. There is so much going on its insane. This match was no different, despite being a pre-season game, because it was military appreciation weekend. So there was a little more pomp and circumstance to the game. 

When we first arrived we were completely blown away by the sheer size of the Qualcomm stadium. It is insanely big and holds so many fans. Yet despite the size you still manage to get a really good view of the pitch because the tiers go up so steeply. It really didn't feel like we were in the nosebleed seats! 

Before the real action got underway the players came onto the pitch to warm up. The seats were still pretty empty at this point but I wanted to see everything so we were there throughout! I couldn't believe how many players they have though. Below is a picture of the team huddle and then the Seattle Seahawks warming up. They take up half the pitch!!

Both teams went back to their changing rooms whilst the Marine band came and did some of their repertoire. They were pretty impressive. Then following in the military theme we had some ex-military guys parachute into the stadium. Was pretty impressive to be honest. 

Then it was time for the football to begin. The San Diego Chargers came out through a tunnel, with real flames and walked through a path lined with their cheerleaders. There was a lot of cheering for them being the home team. The Seahawks had appeared earlier with a smaller amount of noise. 

Obviously the national anthem was sung, whilst a giant United States shaped flag was unfurled. They really do go all out in America! 

I won't be able to tell you much about what happened in the game, except that the Seahawks were doing really well until about the third quarter when the Chargers started to come back. We were down to the last minute of playing time and the Seahawks needed something spectacular to win. I think it was in the last 30 seconds that they managed to score a field goal meaning they won 16-15. Close but still a win. Have to say that Andrew and I were screaming our heads off and cheering so loudly, despite being in a predominantly Chargers area. Nothing kicked off though, at least football over here doesn;t equate to fans fighting...

It was a crazy experience and both us of came away saying we'd happily go to another game. So anyone want to come visit and see a game with us? 
H

SUPER BOWL XLIV

Sunday February 1st was a day of epic importance in the calendar of many Americans. It was the Super Bowl XLIV where reigning champions the Seattle Seahawks took on the New England Patriots in an attempt to claim the title for the second year in a row. I was pretty excited about it as I had yet to experience a Super Bowl. 

But I need to back up a little at this point because if you are anything like me you will have no clue what American football is even about, or how its played, or even what the Super Bowl means. The basics of American football can be watched in the hilarious video below. It was all we watched and we understood just fine!!

The Super Bowl is the culmination of the football year and it is highly anticipated each year. I would try to explain it all but I really can't, or at least not very well. This article gives you a better understanding. My simple explanation is that it involves the championship winners and some wild cards battling it out until the final game on Super Bowl Sunday. This year that involved the Seahawks and the Patriots.

Obviously Andrew and I wanted to get involved in this American tradition as we want to experience as much culture as possible whilst we are here. So we decided we'd need to pick a team and support them fully. Last year Andrew picked the Seahawks, just to be different as everyone he was with in Florida was supporting the opposing team. This year we really had no contest, it had to be the Seahawks again. I mean we could never support the NEW England Patriots. I mean come on, New England. The old one is best thanks! 

Some of you may have seen how into it we got already via Instagram. There was dressing up and some face painting. It was amazing fun! (For those of you who don't understand the Starbucks reference, Seattle is where it originated.)

The giant hands were a hit with the kids and some of our adult friends too!

We totally got into the game though. We were cheering and adapting British football chants to fit where possible. I think we made our American friends laugh, that or they were embarrassed! To be honest we had very little idea of what was happening and knew the very basics but thats it, however we got carried away in the spirit of it all. 

Another thing to note is that the Super Bowl is not just about the football. Its about the food, of which there is a lot, and its about the adverts during the breaks and the half time show. To be honest its such a big deal that the game almost feels like a minor part of the day. At our party there was a lot of yummy food, including some amazing guacamole made by the guy in the picture above!

The half time show was Katy Perry and other guests. I was underwhelmed at it. Having said that the shark costumes were hilarious. The adverts were alright, I was expecting better because of all the hype. You see the advert slots during the Super Bowl are highly coveted and cost LOADS. Its a big deal as so many people are watching. My favourite advert though was the skittles one, seen below!

So overall Super Bowl Sunday was pretty epic. The actual match itself was intense. There was some shouting and some moments of panic. The last quarter was heartbreaking, especially as the Seahawks looked set to score a touchdown but that last play....oh it was maddening. The winners in the end were....I'm loathed to say it....the New England Patriots. Boo! But like I said it was an epic day. We loved it! Well minus the end...

Gutted...

H

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

So this may have surprised you but last night I went out to watch football. Well it was american football and I just wanted to give it a chance as it was monday night game night. It had nothing to do with the food at all!

We went to Harry T's in Destin which had more TVs than you can shake a stick at. I mean they were everywhere, I felt like I had just walked into currys TV section! But hey, if you wana see the game, you don't want anyone in you way so i guess it means they can guarantee a good view so I'll let it let that slide.

Ok I lied, the big persuader was one lil word; WINGS! To be honest that was the real reason, you can't say no to 10 wings for $2.49, thats £1.54!  (Unless your vegetarian etc.) and the guy in the kitchen was either generous or couldn't count, coz he was passing out baskets of 11 and more. I could only manage 30 wings in the end as they weren't small. I'm happy with that score....for now.

So what I got from american football is that its a really simple game made hard by loads of statistics, and quite short but made really long by all the breaks for adverts. Other than that quite fun to watch. I almost got out of my seat for one moment but the blue cheese dip that came with the wings told me to stay down. Oh and I was watching the Redskins vs San Francisco who went on to win.

Here are a few snaps of the night!

A

Advert break number 34. This is only the first quarter too!