WELSH RUGBY SCARF 2012 ... a travel log in pictures.

[auld argonian]

And lest you all thought that I forgot...



The scarf, newly arrived from Cajonscot, was taken in by my loyal Caddyshack gopher.



...and placed next to our not-nearly-as-muckle-clock-as-the-clock-that-Derek-and-Elaine-had.

I unpacked the artifact and went out on March the First to find the Chicago Tafia Welsh Society (http://www.chicagotafia.com/) on their St. David's Day pub visit.

[auld argonian]

I found the group at one of the Elephant And Castle pubs downtown. They had arranged to have the top of the Wrigley Building (across the street from the E&C) lit up in the colors of the Welsh Flag. The combination of all the different light sources in the scene confused the hell out of my little digital camera but I assure you that the top turret was lit up red, white and green.

[auld argonian]

Very nice people! Took a little bit of explaining as to why I had come but they were all pretty enthusiastic about it after the explanation. Couple of pints and some food for them that needed it and the group was off to the street level studio of WLS TV to get on the Ten O'Clock Newscast.







...and a young lady who is very nationalistic but wished to remain anonymous:



Most of the fellas are Welsh Ex-Pats and were joking about being the smallest ethnic group in Chicago. Surely there must be a couple of Liechtensteiners or Monacans here that they would outnumber...

And finally, the Welsh Rugby Scarf gets its chance at TV stardom...







...as you can see, we had some unsolicited help...anything to get on TV!

And so...a little more of Downtown merriment tonight, the get together with the Chicago Rabble on Saturday and a meeting with a member of the Greatest Generation on Sunday....hope that last bit intrigues you...then it's into the box, back on the USPS ox-cart and off to the next port of call.

Best

AA

[auld argonian]

I'm also gonna say this about the Welsh Ex-Pats that I met last night: as opposed to most of the Irish Ex-Pats I've sat in a bar with, YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE SAYING! God bless 'em! I don't know if this is the difference between P-Gaelic and Q-Gaelic based languages but I wasn't making the "I don't understand; could you repeat that slowly" face at all.

I also now have a standing invite to join these guys at the Globe Pub for the Welsh televised rugby matches....like I said, nice people.

Best

AA

[Alan H]

Stephanie Millers Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour?

[cryerelizabeth]

Awesome set of pics

IT's getting close to St. Patrick's Day

[auld argonian]

Stephanie Millers Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour?

I see we have your attention....

Best

AA

[seanachie]

When I hosted the scarf and took some pictures, there were a few "what in the hell is this fella up to looks" and I think some people thought it was a bit political thing but I never quite worked enough interest to get on TV.

Was this a spontaneous event with the TV station or was this orchestrated in advance? I am not sure I am organizationally adept enough to pull it off but a welsh scarf flash mob is begining to sound like an idea.

[auld argonian]

And so it goes on...

Friday night is usually a night Downtown going to two of the nicest restaurants in Chicago. First stop is The Italian Village which is, I believe, the oldest family owned restaurant in the city.



This is the Friday gang...Joyce, Melissa and my mom.



And then to Petterino's, the restaurant attached to the Goodman Theatre where my daughter, Nadia, and the head mixologist, Ed displayed the scarf.

[auld argonian]

Finally bringing us to Saturday and the meet up with the Xmarksers!

It was twenty-six degrees and a 15 to 20 mph wind Saturday morning...nippy...snowing...but there was one Xmarkser intrepid enough to brave the weather: Tom Hay!



We stated out at "The Bean", a big chrome....well...bean. It's become a landmark and a mecca for tourists and, as usual, everybody wanted to take a photo with the kilties.







I took my turn in front of the camera and Tom did the honors...flatcappers unite!