Lisbon ‘04 #3: memorables
July 14th, 2004
Before they fade completely, I thought I’d post up a few more memorable
moments from Neil’s Euro 2004 stag week:- Plastic Dreams by Jaydee over the stadium PA during the warm up to England vs. Croatia. As Andy pointed out at the time, it’s hard to imagine a more brooding and ominous piece of techno to add to the nervous pre-match vibe.
- The Marseillaise at the France quarter-final match with Greece. The French national anthem is one of the best, and they sing it like they believe it. The Portuguese can certainly belt theirs out, and to my surprise I found myself bellowing "God Save the Queen" at our quarter, but unless I get to see Brazil in 2006 (who really have the daddy of anthems) I don’t reckon it gets better than the Marseillaise.
- Lisbon cabs. Rule: No cab fare in Lisbon will ever exceed €5. Okay …except runs to the airport, but that’s still pretty bloody good. Do not however, attempt to engineer an elaborate ticket swap with a dodgy cabbie who will string you along for several days and then not deliver.
- Port and cigars. A cliché for good reason. Surprisingly agreeable.
- Wenger in a titty bar (for real!) – see th photo. Drowning his sorrows after France’s exit with the help of Desailly, Olivier Dacourt and Silvestre.
- Lux. Our last port of call in the delightful city of Lisbon, Lux was a very, very nice club. Not too hot, not too dark (walls uplit in electric blue), and easy vibes that seemed to suit my mood perfectly. Lux really was the icing on the top a great, great week-cake. Hazily remembered conversations on the chilled roof terrace prompt me to shout hello’s to Regis from Brittany, who understood less of my French than I thought he did, and Lauren from San Fran, whose book recommendations I cannot remember.