WDF World Cup 2013
Thorn's 2013 World Cup, Part 10
It was a late night, celebrating their victory over England in the team event with Team USA. Nonetheless, I woke early, ready to go watch the darts on Friday, the last day of competition before the finals of every event on Saturday.Before leaving Troy's house that morning, I took a pic of all his awards and trophies hanging on the family wall. Then, after picking up coffee at Tim Horton's-Canada's answer to Starbucks owned by a famous retired hockey star-we hopped on the bus and rode back to the venue, the Power Plex.
Darts were already flying, and I did what I did what I always do, floating around the hall watching the action. I watched the women and youth as they paired themselves down to the last survivors. I popped back and forth to men's side too, watching the doubles and singles come down to the semi finalists. I took pictures and videos, and enjoyed watching the locals react to every top performance by the surviving Canadian players, most notably their top youth players Dawson Murschell and Alicia Looker. Unfortunately, my photos this day were lost to technical difficulties, so I have only my memories to share.
It turned out that the darts this day were equalled by the cultural experiences I had that day and night.
Tim Horton's Coffee wasn't the only Canadian national establishment I visited. For lunch that day, Gordon Dixon, Robbie Phillips, and I wandered down to Mary Brown's, for some of her famous chicken and taters. Gordon and Robbie would agree the people watching wasn't bad either, as a surprising number of good looking women were on lunch break. We enjoyed plenty of fries and gravy as well as our conversations. The US players were patiently and excitedly awaiting their team event championship match tomorrow versus Scotland.
Back in the hall that afternoon, I enjoyed more darts and Blackhorse beers. With most players finished for the week, other than the finalists, the hall got empty quick. I, meanwhile, waited patiently for a representative from the Qidi Vidi Brewing to pick me up and take me on a tour of the brewery and restaurant. Qidi Vidi, and the brewery bearing it's name, is a tiny fishing village on the outskirts of St. John's, nestled on a small picturesque harbor-a harbor I visited by boat on day one in Newfoundland.
Unlike that first day, when glorious sun blessed our boat ride, today's weather was much more typical-a strong steady rain and wind buffeted the brewery as we entered. Once inside, the atmosphere quickly grew warm in the woody bar and restaurant. The place was packed and live music was coming from the stage. I got my first sample of several brews, and nestled into a table in the back, quickly making friends with some locals. They knew the band, and gave me their backstories.
The music was a wonderful combination of strings and rhythm and many folks
were singing and dancing along to the familiar tunes. I told my new friends what I was doing in town, and they
were equally interested. Between songs, I'd order another flavor of Qidi Vidi brew, and sampled a delicious
Newfoundland stew on the menu. The atmosphere in Qidi Vidi, with beers and cheers and warm smiles all around,
while howling rain and wind buffeted the windows overlooking the black harbor outside, couldn't have been more
cozy.
Next to my table was a group of younger folk. When the band took a break, several of them got up and took the stage-apparently, when the main band is between sets, local musicians are welcomed to have an open-mic session. I must admit, as soon as I heard this 'second' band start playing, I had to have a closer look, as the energy and sound they had sucked me right in. It was clear to me that these guys were seriously talented, and it still stings that the video and photos I got that night were lost.
But, after the main band returned, and the younger guys came back to their table, I took the chance to introduce myself. And, that's how I met cull am, Andy, Rob, Andrew, and their gal pals, Heather and Raelene. The name of their band was the Sunstones. Before long I was sitting with them-talking about music and Newfoundland. Before long, they were inviting me to go to another bar-one in the shadowy parts of St. John's, between downtown and the college-to enjoy some karaoke. It was called GeorgeTown Pub, and it did have a dartboard and pool table, which I took time to test out. It was late, around midnight, but the dicey dive bar was quickly filling with energetic college kids ready to sing and dance. But, mostly, I just chilled in a corner, drinking cold beers, watching Cullam, Andy and crew go through cover song after cover song on the karaoke machine.
It was one of those moments where you felt like you were feeling the real culture of a place, a place no tourist would ever end up, with new friends that felt like old ones, being treated like a local.
Eventually, exhaustion caught up to me long before the others, and Raelene and andy gave me a lift back to Troy's. Before parting ways with a thanks and handshake, Andy invited me to a barbecue on Sunday, or should I say, another classic "kitchen party", Newfoundland style, at Cullam's house.
Surprised, I graciously accepted, and got Andy's email. Then, I crept into Troy's house and crashed hard. Tomorrow I'd watch the 2013 World Cup final matches, all day long. With luck, I'd see Team USA claim victory in the team event.
Over and double out.