CUP'S COMING HOME?

During the open forum of the Women's World Cup organizers' briefing for the Diplomatic Corps in Sydney last May, a representative from the UK Embassy cheekily asked "so just to confirm the arrangements, you will be immediately sending our PM an invitation to attend WHEN England qualifies for the Final?" 

Jolly good, that!  But it wasn't the only case of British footy prescience leading up to this World Cup, as the fam and I blindly bought tickets for the knock-out matches in Sydney a year in advance with no idea which teams would be playing and which players we'd be seeing.  Well, our bold managerial decision paid off in the form of:

Quarter-Final: England v. Columbia

   

Our train trip to the stadium ran smack at the same time as host Australia's own quarter-final match and epic penalty shootout with France, and I thought I'd actually be able to record one of those cool where-were-you-when-it-happened winning reaction videos. Alas, not all Australian mobile internet provider speeds were created equal, so different parts of the train got their feeds at different times as the others, and the moment was spoilered for many. 

 

But s'all good vibes once at the venue, because nothing unites like Football...and Coldplay/Backstreet Boys stadium rock. 

The match itself was a tight, thrilling affair, with flamboyant Columbia taking a shock lead while imperious England just kept calm and carried on

So Lionesses rally, and we all engage in some shameless bandwagoning 

 

 

Semi-Final: England v Australia

I can't show any love for the Brits this time, because they face hosts Australia and the beloved Matildas

Takot ko lang.  It's also a school night so I have to go to the match on my own and try to blend in with the home fans

The atmosphere was tense and electric from the start -- no surprise given the countries' histories and fierce sporting rivalries (like, there was actual trash talk being carried over from Australia's recent win over England...in Netball)

But once the match started, it was the Matildas who fell behind early and who looked nervous and who just couldn't finish

Australia also surprisingly looked physically overmatched and easily knocked off the ball -- even the LLDD-Baby's armchair analysis said so

But then...early in the second half...Beyond Greatness happens...

...everyone in the stands loses their minds...

 

And I mean EVERYONE

Alas, even after that moment of insane magic, Australia's defense stays nervy and vulnerable, and England soon takes back control and coldly finishes their opponents off.  

Still...well done, Tillies!

And if nothing else, that song is now on everyone's nerves

The implications of the match result also begin sink in

Final: England v Spain

Here we go! (Olé Olé Olé!)   The Final! The big one! The one we waited a year for without knowing what actually we were waiting a year for! Well, the pre-match show alone was already worth it, with a Vivid-esque light-display...  

 

...a unity beat thing FIFA's trying to make happen...

...Tones and I(!)...

...plus a hype video that ended with the Filipinas' goal celebration! 

And finally, the flags and fireworks...

...leading to the nakakatindig-balahibo players entrance to the haunting strains of "Sweet Dreams" 

Game on! And it's an entertaining, action-packed affair. England look like the favorites, but Spain plays with confidence and class.  All the makings of an unforgettable match are there...including a pitch invader who faceplants and gets bundled off right in front of us.

Neither team seems particularly bothered by the interruption, and soon after...Spain strikes!

Uno-Nil!  For the rest of the match, England appears to dominate possession, but Spain remains unflappable and dangerous, and seems to have more chances created...

...as well as wasted

And it was Spain's knock on an England player that caused some momentum-sapping stoppage-in-play and waving-in-crowd

That led to 13(!) minutes of added time, where wave after wave of brute English attacks were turned back by composed, resolute Spanish defense, until finally....

 

 

Campeones, Campeones, Ole Ole Oleeeeee!

Now, I'm not saying Spain's victory song is any worse or better than "Sweet Caroline", I'm just happy it isn't "Sweet Caroline"

So Viva Espanya! Viva tiktok, este, tiki taka! No vivo es pitch invader! Vamos a comer!

Si se puede!

WHITE CHRISTMAS, AUSSIE STYLE

London: we have to shut down the city if we get the wrong kind of snow

Sydney:

Legend has it in Australia it presages the arrival of a Helsmworth

HARBOUR BRIDGE IS NOT UNATTRACTIVE

After more than a week in Sydney, I finally got a chance to see the Harbour, the Bridge, and the Opera House.

They did not disappoint.

I even have a traveler tip! For the best panoramic views, start from Milson's Point at the north side of the bridge and across the harbour from the opera house, then walk back towards the city center on the pedestrian lane on the bridge. (true, this is my first and only time thus far to see anything, but I have no reason to think locals, photographers and professional instagrammers have better tips than me)

Hot take: Sydney Harbour > Thames River in the "Spectacular Body of Water and Landmarks that Bisect the City" category.

THE WAY TOO EARLY SYDNEY V LONDON WHO YA GOT POST

I guess it's a natural enough question: as soon as people find out I just arrived in Sydney, they ask where I was previously posted, and then immediately ask "so which do you like more?"

I diplomatically demur, of course, what with the history and ties and use of "bloody" of the countries. Still, there are some notable first impression contrasts between Sydney and London that my beautiful dork mind has picked up:

Weather 

baaaaaaaaahahahahaaaaaa!!!!!!

Shopping

Lots of large malls all around the city, but all stores in Sydney close surprisingly early - around 6 p.m. - every weekday and weekend, except for "Long Night" Thursdays, when they close a sobrang nakakapuyat na...9 p.m. Not that London stores kept SM "Midnight Madness" hours or anything, but you could definitely drop in some after office shopping most of the time there.

But honestly, the LLDD-Hyphen-L isn't here yet, so I don't know if any of this is good or bad.

Public Transportation

On the one hand London public transport is more extensive. On the other hand, Sydney public transport is more modern. On the other hand, London has double-decker buses. On the other hand, Sydney has double-decker trains. On the other hand, London has more expensive fares. On the other hand, Sydney doesn't have ride-all-you-can passes. On the other hand, London trains are small and get crowded easily. On the other hand, Sydney buses don't tell you what's the next stop so you can easily get lost. On the other hand, London's TfL website is easier than Sydney's TransportNSW website. On the other hand, London transport workers strike more frequently. On the other hand, many Sydney stations are not even manned. On the other hand, Opal card sounds cooler than Oyster card....whew. This category's more deadlocked than the M-5 on a Bank Holiday, amirite?  

Skyline Dominating Landmark

Upon arrival in London, I immediately saw the Eye and thought "this thing can take on the Cloverfield monster." Upon arrival in Sydney, I immediately saw the Westfield Tower and thought "this thing can take down a Kaiju".  

(now if the London Eye and the Westfield Tower were to square off, I'm envisioning something like the Tower stabbing the Eye right in the middle, but the Eye quickly spinning circles around the Tower as a counter) 

Time it Takes to Run Into a Half-Naked Dude in the Hallway of the Hotel Where I'm Billeted 

It wasn't until years into my posting in the U.K. (and on an outreach mission to Glasgow) that I encountered a guy in his undies locked out of his hotel room by his companion.

In Sydney it took, oh...a week.

dude saw me in the hallway, begged to use my bathroom, then thought "screw it, I'm getting on the elevator and heading down to the lobby in my boxers"

Bike Share Scheme

London has its popular "Boris Bikes" (fronted by Kelly Brook!) that can be docked neatly in stations within the city. Sydney decided to use a "free range" approach to its city bikes, meaning they can be taken almost anywhere and then dumped at will.  It isn't going as planned.  Medyo nagkakalat ang Sydney.

literally

Awesome Station Names 

What if I told y'all I worked close to Hyde Park, just past St. James' station, near the shops on Oxford Street, next to Haymarket, and not far from Paddington and Kings Cross station? You'd say "we already know you came from London and are still clinging to a British accent, you pretentious little dork." And I'd reply, "actually, I just name-dropped the places near the Consulate in Sydney, mate". There is indeed an uncanny number of shared station names, although London seems to have kept for itself some of the more kick-ass sounding ones like Knightsbridge, Hammersmith, and Gunnersbury, while Sydney has put out some more idyllic imagery with places called Emu Plains, Edgecliff, Cockatoo Island, Vineyard, and Waterfall.

among other idyllic spots

Alcohol Accessibility 

In London, I could pop into any corner shop or convenience store any time of the day and come out bearing armfuls of beer, cider, ales et al. I was utterly shocked that that was not the case (har!) in Sydney. I literally stood in front of a 7-11 chiller section for 10 minutes shaking my head and muttering "this cannot be happening." Apparently, due to strict local laws, you have to find special places called "Bottle Shops" before you can get your home drinking on.

 the places are very easily identified

Very Pretty Building Housing Expensive Stores and a Woke Memorial

London's Harrods and your high-priced wares and Diana display, meet Sydney's Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and its big-budget stores and Great Australian Clock miniature scenes.

 

it was a different time

Overly Ornate Curb Fixture

In London, I remember marveling at some dude (and his groupie) meticulously touching up the paint of one of the iconic black city lampposts. In Sydney, I'm amazed at the elaborate shelter provided to "bubblers" i.e. drinking fountains.

 the physics of bending over to drink are...challenging

Limescale Overlord?

Not in Sydney! Which means I'm finally free of Calgon and Brita and all the other tedious water filters and treatments and whatnot

(which is not to say I can't still bungle my laundry water settings and cause the hotel's washing machine to overflow through the floor drain)

(which means Spandau is as relevant as ever)

"I used to be a diplomat 

"But now I'm down the laundromat 

"They washed my mind and now I finds it haaaard"

The rivalry rages on...