144/356: More Londoning

Sunday was again a day filled with firsts.

I ate at this really great take away where you can tell them what to put in the Wok for you. You can choose what sauce, what noodles, what veggies and so on. I then went on to go to a Primark for the first time. I had a little errand to run for my sister. Boy I was glad then that I had already eaten something.

Later in the day I met up with a couchsurfer to go see the 49ers play the Jaguars at Wembley. It was the second and final NFL game played in the UK for this year. As you might remember, I also went to the first one a month ago. The whole thing was again a great experience. I do have to say that the pre-game show was better the first time around. It was fun going with Akif because he didn't know how big a show around this event there would be and I think he was wow'd.

In between those things I am sure that I tried at least two new things but I think we can conclude that I have this day covered.

Yummy food, just off Oxford Circus tube station.

 A full Wembley is always a great sight.

 In anticipation of a great event.

 Waking to the the Wembley.

 Look at that glorious food they serve there! (never had this either)

Just before the game started.

oh yay, the jaguars also got one touchdown...

116/356: Vikings vs Steelers at Wembley, London

Make no mistake, I have seen and done many great things in my life and since I started this project but being one of 86'000 at the Wembley stadium was a moment that gave me goosebumps and something that I will remember forever.

The whole reason I was in London this weekend, was to watch the NFL regular season game Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers. As a Steelers fan, I have been looking forward to this moment a long time. Considering I was expecting a lot, it says a lot that my expectations were exceeded.

The whole experience was fantastic. Starting with the walk up to the stadium with all the fans, waiting for the game to beginn, watching the pre-game show or the actual game itself. Those Americans really know how to puit on a show and get you hyped.

The game was a close affair that was only decided when the Steelers QB fumbled the ball 6 yards from the the vikings end zone with just a few seconds in the game. So if I have to have a downside, I guess it would be that the "wrong" team won the game. Still I wouldn't have wanted to miss it. It was the seventh game that has been played in London and from what we heard, it was the best so far.

But to be honest, the thing that was nearly the most fascinating, was how they managed to get 85'000+ fans away from the venue within a very short period. As you can imagine, many many people were waiting to get on the tube and we were prepared to wait for a long long time. But I was mistaking. Within 20 min we were on the tube and on our way back to Paddington. I am really impressed how they managed to do that. When you see the pictures below, you will understand where I am coming from.

Right now I am SO glad that I witnessed this great event and can't wait to be back at Wembley to see the Jaguars play the 49ers at the end of October.

Leading up to the venue.

Standing just outside the stadium, still not quite able to believe how big this thing is.

The Wembley is the second biggest stadium in Europe and oh.my.god what an atmosphere in there!

Kickoff

Panorama shot of the stadium. Just take in those dimensions. I think the biggest stadium I have ever been to had just about half of the seats of this place.

For many fans it didn't really matter which teams played the game. It was all about watching an awesome NFL game "close" to home.

See those masses wanting to get to the tube...

...maybe now you can see why I was suprised how fast we got home.

To finish this post I would like to give you a little glimpse of the action. Thanks for the person who made this video! (it wasn't me)