Olympics!
So, I was really bummed awhile back, because there was a lottery system a couple months back for tickets to the Olympics... Well, that coincided with a lot of travel on my end, so I completely forgot about the deadline and missed out on getting any tickets. Yep, I was super bummed about that, especially since this was something I was looking forward to since the first day I found out I was moving to London. However, as you may have seen from my facebook, I did end up getting tickets. First, my friend Regan offered me his extra ticket to see Table Tennis. Score one for Belton, I was excited I was now going to be a part of the Olympics. Next, they sent out an email announcing extra tickets on a Friday afternoon, and I was able to log in and immediately purchase beach volleyball tickets... Last, my good friend Drew, offered me an extra one he had to see the USA play in beach volleyball again. Zero to three Olympic events in 5 days!
Table Tennis
When I first heard about these tickets, I was excited to go to the Olympics, but I was also a bit disappointed with the sport... This was confirmed when I told my sister what sport I was going to see when home for Christmas, and she proceeded to laugh for five minutes straight (thanks Cicely)! Well, turns out Regan was smarter than I was in this instance, because the sport was amazing. They had four games going simultaneously, so it was a bit difficult at first, but when we focused on just one or two, we really started to get into it. It was a fast paced sport, where the players might start at the table, but after a couple hits, they are 5 or 6 feet back from the table hitting that ball back and forth. I was actually surprised when one of the players asked for a shirt change because he was so sweaty... Who would have thought! If I ever go to the Olympics again, table tennis will be one sport I will try to get tickets to again.
Beach Volleyball
OK, I know what you are thinking; I wanted these tickets because of the players attire... Well, wrong! This was actually one of the only sports I played regularly as an adult, having been on a couple beach volleyball teams in Milwaukee a couple years back... Now, I will add, that while I said I was on a team, I may not have been that good, despite my height... I am pretty sure both Sara Schmitt and Tim McDonald will attest to that! Either way, the games were amazing, and I was able to see the US play, which was also great. Only bad thing was the London weather... Come on, it is the summer here and the weather was cold! I was actually so chilly during the first match, I had to go buy a sweatshirt... Yes, and it was one of the Olympic ones for $75...
JP Morgan Chase
So, I am also going to mention JP Morgan Chase, for their spectacular support during the Olympics. Although they do not operate in personal banking in the UK, they decided to rent out a bar, bring over a celebrity chef and a ballroom at a centrally located hotel in London. Further, they allowed anyone with a Chase Credit card to enter from 10 AM to Midnight every night and drink and eat for free! The celebrity chef was amazing and the food was incredible, and free! We had shortribs, sliced filet, nigiri, maki, mac’n’cheese, and many other great dishes... All while sipping some really good (complimentary) wine. Their goal was to welcome Americans who were over in the UK, and provide them with free food and drink, but my and my other US friends who are still customers of theirs took full advantage of it!
Well, that’s about it for now. I will be back soon to talk about my recent trip to Amsterdam and my trip to Porto, Portugal next weekend!
Belton
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