Yes you heard me correctly, I flew half way across the world to do household construction. Sam had mentioned that her stair handrail had broken and she needed a hand to mend it, needed two people, so someone can hold the other end. After I had woken up and had, what I can only describe as some REALLY strong coffee, I thought I'd at least make a start, to make the chore easier for when Sam got home. To cut a long story short; I ended up finishing the job. So when Sam got home, the handrail was up, secure and operating within normal perimeters. Needless to say, she was really pleased and surprised I had done this for her. I didnt tell her I had done it cus i was fed up with crawling up the stairs and needed the support. It was a totally selfish act.
We then had to go to the Vets, not for me, before anyone says, but for Skylar, Sam's dog. While we were on the way to the vets, we took a whistle stop tour of Albany, where everything was new and interesting to me. Everything is so different yet so familiar. Even in suburban America. We were talking about how its seems, no other country is so different yet so familiar. I think anyone in the world (with access to a television at least) would recognise America, even down to those Blue bins on street corners... or..post boxes. American life is just pumped into our living rooms via Hollywood or other media forms, I just found it very interesting. Something else I observed and had to point out to Sam, because to her, its the norm, and that's... flags. The American flag is flying eveywhere. On the porches of houses, the forecourts of petrol (gas) stations, at schools.. literally everywhere has an American flag flying. We rarely see a Union Jack flying at home, so much so that it actually turns heads when one flies anywhere other than outside Buckingham palace. There is a sence of pride here, by flying the flag on your porch or whatever, shows they are proud to be American. We turned it into a game and had to shout out "Flag!" every time an American flag is flying. It's becoming a form of terets when we are out and about, having a conversation in the car and randomly inserting "Flag!"
After our whistle stop tour of Albany, we were due to meet a couple of Sam's friends in a bar for a few drinks and something to eat. On the way to the bar we found...this...
It's a chuffing huge Tulip! Albany was founded by the Dutch settlers and this ridiculously massive plant is a nod to the origins of Albany.
So, we continued to the bar and this is it...
The old English. I assume Sam thought i was home sick in order to take me here. An English theme pub. Once inside, it was like i was transported back to England and into a village pub! It was amazing. With pictures you'd expect to see in an English Pub, even wooden beams on the ceiling, tobacco stained walls. I was expecting a taccy bar with union jacks all over the place etc, however it was incredibly accurate! I felt really at home, even with the huge painting of Winston Churchill hanging over the fireplace. I had to explain who it was to One of Sam's friends... the British bulldog. We had Fish and chips for food which was delicious! and they served fosters in proper pint glasses. Other visitors were ordering beers such as "Old Speckled Hen", "Bombaider" and other English brews. I bought Sam a mint Aero, she had never had such a thing and seemed to want more! Well who wouldnt? It was a truly wonderful night and we really enjoyed ourselves.
Tomorrow is thankgiving and I'm looking forward to witnessing that.
Thankyou to everyone who commented, they really made me laugh and FYI, I didnt ALWAYS top up the drinks in the drinks cabinet with water, that was my sister's idea.
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