Living it up in Liverpool

So as if getting the fire department to come to our house wasn't enough, I got to take a little visit to the local hospital last week. Luckily it wasn't for me, rather an American friend who hurt his shoulder in our basketball game. After figuring out where the hospital was located, we entered into the "A&E", Accident and Emergency, to get my friend assessed by a doctor. He didn't have any form of ID on him (not that they even asked) yet we still got to see a doctor about 75 minutes later. The diagnosis was that he tore a ligament in his shoulder so the nurses gave him a few pain pills - for free. I've talked earlier about socialized education but I'm glad I got to see how easily accessible medicine has the capability of being. I'm not taking sides on the issue of socializing health care, but in this case, my friend and I were happy to let Britain's taxes pay for the doctor visit, the X-Ray, and the pain medication.

A group of six Americans went to Liverpool last Saturday, February 4. We decided to go early to walk around and not have lots of people around. By early I mean that 9:15am is early to them and as you can see from my first picture below, no one was really out and about. We went to several museums throughout the day. Our morning was spent in the Museum of Liverpool which opened last year then we went to the Merseyside Maritime Museum followed up by the World Museum. We didn't spend very long in the World Museum because it was overrun with energetic children and cranky parents so we spent the rest of our afternoon in the Walker Art Museum. For dinner we went to a local pub then finished off the day going to The Cavern Club. If you've never taken Beatles History 101, The Cavern Club is where The Beatles got their start. With that said, hearing live Beatles music in that historic atmosphere was easily the highlight of the day! Another note about Liverpool is that I will be going back this Saturday to watch the Everton vs. Chelsea football game. Details to come. Pending I make it out alive.

Me planking in the wee hours of the morning.. cough cough 9: 30am

We may have inspired the sculpture behind us

Streets of Liverpool

Walking into the same place that the Beatles were discovered. I'm practically a Beatle now. 

Random notes...

I eat in the cafeteria on campus Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Unfortunately the food isn't buffet style but nonetheless its tastiness has impressed me. I'm on a perfect record so far... a happy plate for every meal I've had. 

Being next in the "queue" does not mean your Sleepless in Seattle is next to come in the mail from Netflix. It means to "wait in line". You always mind the queue and don't break it. They seem to really like queuing here and you join the queue everywhere. 

"My love" is a term that I would usually use sparingly but it's been used on me at least five times since I've been in England. All five times have been in a Tesco's grocery store by a lady older than 40. Don't be alarmed, it's nothing creepy. Saying "Hello my love" is just a welcoming term almost like saying "hey man" or "hey pal". Another thing about cashiers is that they have said "thanks very much" nearly ever time they take my money. It's not much of a thing to notice, but watch what cashiers do the next time you go to a store. 

Last, there is almost a paranoia about safety and more specifically, fires. Signs here. Signs there. Signs everywhere. Dr. Seuss could write a children's book about how many signs are posted. Every door has a sign that says "Fire door keep closed" to remind you to shut your door so you slow down the fire from spreading room to room. There's even a sign outside our house that has a picture of two people with four arrows pointing to them and reads "Fire assembly point". A little much? Maybe. I've learned to accept the significant meaning to the simple saying "To each their own".

Don't judge our singing! Money can't buy us love but maybe it could buy us better voices.