“Where there's a will there's a way”.

          Recently, I watched the Paralympics’ 100m semifinals. In the track closest to the camera run a guy who had no legs from the knees down and also his arms were amputated at the elbows. I think he ended next to the last and did not make it to the final. However, it does not matter. It made me to think about that if a man with literally no legs and hands can run 100 meters in 11 second, what the hell are we all making excuses?

      Overall interest in physical activities is falling; it is a well known fact. As a former P.E. teacher I have palpable evidence in form of the stagnating performance standards of pupils. The phenomenon can be also observed in the increasing level of obesity and related health problems. As always, there are several factors to take in, but it does not prevent me from being apprehensive.

      Sport and physical activity can have positive effects on human organism. It depends on the character of the particular activity which can increase the vital capacity of the lungs and effectiveness of the circulatory system as such, strengthen the muscles, reinforce the bones’ density, helps to maintain optimal body-weight. Also, regular exercise was proved with positive effects on blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels and production of hormones. Maybe the ideas are too distilled to their simplest form, but all of that helps us to live better and conduct our duties more efficiently. Or at leas it should…..

     Many people claim that they would join in some sport activity, but

        1, they have no time because of work load and other duties.

        2, they have some medical condition and the doctor advised them not to exercise.

        3, they are too tired after the work and other stuff.

Those are the three major reasons that support our excuses. I will deal with them in detail in the next article.

     According to many, the Paralympic Games are good evidence of what is the mankind capable of, and that our limits are far beyond our perception. Our modern lifestyle does not force us to try the limits of our reserves. Therefore it is only our motivation that can persuade us about the merits of physical exercise. Disabled sportsmen support the saying “Where there's a will there's a way”. Even if I always give my best in the gym or the swimming pool – sometimes I approach the point when the intensity of sport activity starts to be detrimental – after having seen the Paralympic run I questioned myself whether I should try little harder.  

The maritime city of football and the Beatles

    I wanted to visit Liverpool since long ago. I am a football fan and I like rock music. Local FC is one of my favourite teams and everyone is familiar with the story of the Beatles, one of the most influential bands (not only) in the early era of rock music. Moreover, Liverpool used to be a significant port and trading centre. Taking the opportunity of a day off, me and a friend of mine took a train with return ticket to the Liverpool Lime Street Station.

We had some time to the departure so we bough some newspapers. Apart from that, I found an almost full pack of cigarettes. I was happy, because as a very occasional smoker, I will have tobacco supply for months. Cigarettes and alcohol are quite expensive here in Britain, due to the excess duty. Money collected in taxes in invested into anti-smoking campaigns and similar initiatives. 

Anfield

     From Lime Street we headed right to the Queen Square bus stop. All day ticket costs 3.80 and you can travel as much as you want. We are both football fans so there was no doubt what would be our first stop – Anfield Road. We spent there approximately 2 hours; therefore I covered it in a separate article here. http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/youll-never-walk-alone.html

The Bombed Church   
       From the stadium we took a bus back to the station. Originally we wanted to change for another service towards the cathedral. But after we realized that it was within walking distance, we decided to walk. Once again I have mistaken the cathedral with some ordinary church that we came across while walking. For that reason I took a photo. Only during my third visit in Liverpool I realized that the church had no roof. It was bombed during the Second World War and now it serves as a meeting place for the youth.

    The Cathedral

      The cathedral is really big, I think t is the second biggest in England. Although it was built in the late 20^th century, it has the atmosphere and façade of a Gothic church. It was built in neo-gothic style, as I learned from the minister with whom I had a little talk about the faith. 

Chinatown
Not far from the cathedral is the China town with the typical arcade, like the one in the Forbidden City.

Albert Dock

     Graduatelly, we straddled down to the Mersey River and reached one of the city’s quarters, Albert Dock. Originally it was a docking system for the ships. In the colonial period Liverpool boasted the reputation of one of the world’s largest ports. In 19^th century, 40% of all trade passed through Liverpool, as well as majority of the slave trade.

    The Beatles

     The Museum of Beatles – ‘Beatles Story” is also located in Albert Dock. Beatles started playing in Liverpool in the beginning of 60's but later they recorded in Abbey Road studio in London. (I have been there as well) Their songs were played in the museum and the fan shop, which was absolutely not surprising. What else would they play, Justin Bieber?

   The Liverpool Eye

     Opposite to the Beatles Story is some kind of Liverpool Eye and the Echo Arena, which hosts important cultural and sporting events. Lady Gaga, Muse, Oasis, Coldplay and Elton John have all played there, but oddly none of the former Beatles. Together with Ringo they are the two surviving members of the band.

     The Royal Liver building

     From the dock we headed for the centre. For a while we stopped at the Royal Liver Building. On the top are two “liver birds”. This medieval cock has become the symbol of Liverpool, even part of the FC logo. Two birds are on a patrol over the city. According to a story, the cock is checking the local pubs, whereas the hen is oriented towards the sea, waiting for young sailors.

Liverpool offers much more to visit. For example another football team – Everton, another cathedral – Metropolitan, and another musician – Elvis Costello. We focused only on the most important things. And some shopping, of course. Maybe, with all of the people moving out in the aftermath of the industrial decline,  it is the city of yesterday, but anyway in Liverpool, you'll never walk alone. I will definitely come back, if not move in, because I can imagine my life in this city.

You’ll never walk alone

     Recently, I and my friend set up on a trip to Liverpool. Both of us football fans, the first target was clear. Anfield Road. We spent there approximately two hours, therefore I devoted an entire article to the ‘the Reds’ experience. Rest of Liverpool with the Beatles, Cathedral, docks and the Liver building patrolled by the Liver birds will be covered in a separate article.

     Right in front of the stadium we received an open-arm welcome by Bill Shankly, one of the best managers in team’s history. After initial photo shots we purchased the tour tickets and headed for the fan shop. Prices were comparatively high, but the offer was really high-grade. You can get even sweets with player’s names engraved into the jelly, stickers with the name of particular person (I could not find Erik) and the team logo, and similar accessories. Of course vide variety of jerseys – home, away, retro – is a must. Also Liverpool FC various casual wear that you can’t find anywhere else. 
 

     It was almost twelve so we decided to go out and wait for the tour guide at the Bill Shankley’s statue assemble point. After a while, our group was approached by two of them. One bald, wearing a red dress-coat, the other one in a black jacket with engraved FC Liverpool logo. Both disposed of great enthusiasm and Liverpool accent which is sometimes difficult to pick up. Initially, we were ushered to some kind of hall of fame. The walls were decorated by the pictures of famous players. We learned few interesting facts, for example that the best shooter in Liverpool’s history Ian Rush scored total of 346 goals.

 

     After the brief history lesson we went on to the press center. It is here that the manager has to face the media after every single match. The room was rather small, but it could take in over 50 journalists. Originally it used to be the boot room and Bill Shankly would explain the pre-match tactics here. Since it was changed into the press center, Liverpool has not conquered the Premier Ship title. Some claim it is a curse.

     From the press center we walked over to the dressing rooms. Player’s t-shirts were hanging on the walls. Discovering Martin Skrtel’s 37, we boasted to the guide that he is our country mate. The bald men knew him in person; he has met most of the current squad.

     In general, the dressing rooms were modest, but nice.  Unlike Valencia, where Rafa Benitez would not allow too much comfort for it interferes with player’s pre-match concentration, in Liverpool the home dressing room was better maintained. Away team do not even have air conditioning. Interesting enough, because for a certain period Benitez managed also the FC.

 

     A corridor runs from the dressing roams directly to the pitch. There are small cavities in the walls, where player undergo one-on-one interviews. Above the tunnel to the pitch is an inscription “This is Anfield”. It was arranged by Shankley himself; the red colour should frighten the opponents. Home players follow a ritual that they touch it before every match. Peter Crouch could even kiss it, smaller players like Michael Owen or Luis Garcia had to be lift up to reach it – the guide had a joke.

     The tribune and the pitch appeared to be smaller than they really are. I would not believe that stadium can host 45, 525 onlookers. It was strictly forbidden to enter the pitch and the authorities really mean it. (In Valencia I managed to walk on the lawn barefoot). Even the home team does not train here. Only the opponent in European cups is allowed one training session a day prior to the encounter. Usually, they are accommodated in nearby Radisson hotel. Oddly enough, you must be from an away team to train on the home ground.

      Although Liverpool is a famous team, the stadium was full of family atmosphere. The tribunes are close to the pitch, unlike those at some top teams where man could hardly spot the players. Guide mentioned a moment form the past with record 26, 000 people cramped at one of the tribunes, cheering up their team.  At that time there were no seats and reservation tickets. You had to queue, sometimes even two hours, and then share the close quarters with others. To get some refreshment during the match was out of question. Who was hungry, should have had breakfast. Who needed a toiled, should have used imagination - the guide concluded.

     Bearing to this, he mentioned the Hillsborough tragedy from 1989 when 96 Liverpool fans died pressed by the crowd. Thence the reinforced security measures and long procedures with tickets. Newspapers were full of the disaster and according to the latest investigation; it was not fault of the drunken fans. Moreover, police and security forces could have saved about half of the victims if they acted more appropriately. However, everyone would jump the gun to blame the English rowdies who have long “criminal record” of clashes and disturbance all around the Europe.

     Finally, we visited the museum. It was full of team’s history, famous players, the authenticity reinforced by original jerseys, trophies and video projections. It was the end of our tour. Maybe they are bearing under the financial problems, but the many fans and achievements guarantee that FC Liverpool would never walk alone. We are absolutely positive on this after having watched the highlights from the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, when Liverpool raised from the death against AC Milan.