Rugby Union in New York?

After leaving Brisbane at noon on the 19^th of November I began my journey to the US of A - travelling for a little over 26 hours (including a 6 hour layover in LA) I found myself landing at JFK airport flying over what looked like fairy lights or in Disney’s Peter Pan when he flies over London. From one end to another was lit up like a call centre switch board (how I do not miss working in one of those). It was beautiful. I was soon met by Harry and off we went to a cute little place in Astoria, Queens – the city’s traffic network is crazy it’s like an ants nest, tunnels leading off in every direction weaving in and out through freeways. I could notice a slight difference to Brisbane!

I woke up the following morning at around 5am due to jetlag and was pleading with my body to let me sleep however it just simply would not comply! So after 3 restless hours I dragged myself out of bed woke Harry up and convinced him to grab some food (most boys will do anything if food is being used as leverage) so off we went grabbed some coffee (pronounced CAWW-FEE) and a breakfast croissant and went for a stroll around Astoria Park which is around 2 blocks away from where I’m currently living. It’s beautiful. There are basketball courts, tennis courts, a skate park, a swimming pool as well as a running track. The park overlooks the city’s skyline and is certainly impressive! The Autumn leaves are finally giving way to  the harsh Winter which feels like has already set in. The fallen leaves have painted the park floor a burnt orange and red colour whilst the squirrels have fun scavenging through them.

I spent the next two days watching the boys play Rugby Union for their team NYRC which is a little unusual considering where I currently am. The Union following is starting to increase in the US with Women’s teams also having depth and quite a lot of competition. I managed to have a chat to a couple of them as I was interested in how they became involved in such an Australian staple sport, a lot of them became involved through American football and then swapped over.  After explaining all of this they then tried to recruit me. I really don’t envisage myself as a rugby player by any stretch maybe they have netball fixtures over here? The boys ended up losing the first and winning the last so finished on a high but with injuries galore between them spent the next two days listening to them whine and moan. (Typical)

We had the intention that night to head out to Manhattan for end of season drinks for the boys however poor Ed wasn’t feeling too well and ended up having to take him to the hospital from suspected food poisoning. Each trip I’ve made to the US has been hindered by at least one trip to the hospital I’m hoping that this is it for the trip and am very grateful that it wasn’t me this time!