Day 67 (14): The Holy Land

I had a pretty rough start to my day. I had been wandering between my real life and dream the whole night that when I woke up, I don't remember which had actually occurred. It had been quite long since the last time this had happened. Nevertheless, when the alarm rang, I woke up hesitatingly.

Got ready and went down to the lobby with TongSeng to start our journey to MU fan's holy land, Old Trafford. It had been my dream to step into that stadium, although what I hoped for was to get there on a match day. But as I am poor, what can I do. The journey there took about an hour plus. It is also quite sad that only the Carling Cup is in Old Trafford.


We reach there and got to walk to the entrance of the stadium. The morning was cold with freezing breeze blowing hard on us. We tried to seek shelter from those winds but to not avail. The ventilation was too awesome that the wind blows into every angle of the outer structure. LOLx We finally got to enter the stadium with a tour guide.


First stop, the seats opposite the Stretford End. Took some pictures there after some explanation by the guide. Then, we got to enter the Player's Lounge where the players will be stationed few hours before the match and after the match. There is also an honour list for the international representative that fought in a Devil's robe.



Sir Alex Ferguson would axe his players in this room and only starters and subs will enter the changing and briefing room. In the room, there were jerseys of all the players waiting for us. There is also a strategy board and a video system that Alex would brief to his players before matches. I took a picture with Giggs' jersey. My MU Idol.


After we took some (many) pictures in the room where players would usually gone half naked, we got to run out onto the field. No, we don't get to do that because their grass is too precious for us to step on it. With a so so sound system, we got to fake the atmosphere of exiting into the stadium.

We reached the dugout area, which on match day would be the place where Sir Alex, the subs and backroom staff sit. The home team at one side and the guest at the other side. This area also features the only original portion of the stadium left standing after more than 100 years history. Took some pictures here and also feel the comfortable seat of Sir Alex. That was quite the end of the stadium tour.



OT then proceed to bite a big chunk out of everyone's pocket through the sales of merchandises. The new jersey with its new sponsor is yet to be available. Well, that's non of my business as I can't even support myself, let alone using my money to support this club.

While strolling around the MU Mega Store, I was just wandering aimlessly when this guy suddenly talked to me. He asked where are we from and sorts of things. Not until quite long later that I realised he is RPK, the man being hunted by the Malaysian government. He looked so different as compared to what been portrayed in the Malaysian press (Maybe my camera produces better pictures. LOLx).


It was quite a pleasant experience talking to him, and he is willing to listen even though I had mentioned to him that I am a supporter of MCA. He even joked that he wanted to convert me to the opposition. He will be a good friend to any commoner with his style of talking.

I would love to be his friend although we will surely be political foes in the future serving the same group of Malaysian public. Let's just hope meeting a total stranger won't get me some police personnel waiting at KLIA when I return home 3 months later.

After they had bought their stuff, which cost some few hundred GBP, we then continue to take pictures outside the holy land. There's this famous Sir Matt Busby statue up high in the front of the structure and a monument to recognise the contributions of the MU legends, Denis Law, George Best and Bobby Charlton. For me, Giggs is the best.



We then went into the museum, which we just did some random browsing due to the time constraint. As the gathering time had reached, we all went up the bus and continue to the city center. Nothing much there for me to see except an arch of Manchester China Town. The girls should be loving it there with the high street showcasing the famous labels, such as LV, Gucci, Zara and some other shit.


That's all I can say for the city tour. Although I spent quite less today, except on the tour fees and the buffet, I got quite some stuffs to show off. My loot of the day includes a cert confirming I was in OT, 4 free postcards, a Museum ticket and a penny-made pendant that cost me a little more than GBP1. Maybe a bottle of mineral water if you insist me declaring everything.


Now, typing here just after 12AM and unable to meet the dateline. At least I tried to type as fast as I could. Other stuff for the day? Some feeling matters which turned out quite bumpy, but I won't give up easily for such a good person. Maybe she felt differently, but I think she deserved to be treated better.