WDF World Cup 2013

Thorn's 2013 World Cup, Part 12
The events of the 2013 WDF World Cup were over, but not the party. The closing ceremonies went by quickly, with each team again taking their turns on stage in full uniform, being honored again for their commitment and love of the sport of darts. As the PowerPlex cleared out, I found a moment to hobnob with Ollie Croft, Jacques and Richard, the BDO board, and a bunch of my new friends, both players and support staff, but now it was time to head back to the hotels, clean up, and get ready for the post-tournament banquet in downtown St. John's.

The banquet hall was in the Armory, one of the few buildings that partially survived the great fire of 1982 that leveled the city. Arriving, I found everyone from every nation dressed nice and ready to eat, mingle, dance and celebrate one more time. All of us enjoyed a fantastic meal and plenty of conversation-of memories, moments, and making plans to see each other at the next World Cup in Turkey in 2015. After dinner, most folks, including myself and friends, went out for one more night of drinks and nightcaps on George Street. Those that couldn't join us had flights late that night or early morning, heading back to the hotels after some warm goodbyes to new and old friends. For me, this was the last time I'd see most of these people and players until next time.

But, I still had one full day in St. John's, Sunday, and I even had afternoon plans to visit the Sunstones-the local band I met three nights earlier, Cullam, Andy, Andrew and Rob-and have one more Newfoundland kitchen party and barbecue. So, looking for company, I invited Tsuyoshi Yamasaki, the mercurial globetrotting L-style rep and one of few people not flying out until Monday, to join me.
Sunday morning, Troy's parents gave me a lift downtown, where I met Tsuyoshi at the Yellow Belly restaurant and microbrewery-one of the the most highly recommended eateries in town. Tsuyoshi and I ordered a wave of appetizers, mussels and fritters, and several pints. We toured the building-another one that barely survived the big fire, in fact there are timbers in the stone building that still have burn scars.

After lunch, we walked around town, looking for dart bars and found one called the Rose and Thistle. We popped in for a quick leg or two and another beer. Then we wandered around George Street by day, stopping in O'Reilly's, where a large group of locals was circled up in Sunday throng of stringed instruments, drums and song. It's always amazing to feel part of the real culture of a place, and we did, enjoying yet another pint and the music until we were eventually picked up by Andy, the Sunstones bassist, to go to Cullam's kitchen party.

We hit the store, buying a case of beer, a bottle of Screech, and other various supplies before driving to Cullam's house. Upon arrival, we were welcomed like family, along with their real family and friends. The day had turned stormy so instead of barbecue, they had a huge pot of stew brewing, and we ate and gabbed the afternoon away. But the real fun started that evening.

Cullam, Andy, Andrew and Rob are four seriously talented musicians, and Tsuyoshi and I were lucky enough to get a private in-house concert. The rest of the night, crammed into the living room, all of us guests enjoyed two or three hours of live music by the Sunstones. It was truly amazing, a feeling I could verify on Tsuyoshi's face every time I looked at him-we were both smiling and enjoying, hardly believing we were here, doing this, with these people, and hearing such awesome rock and roll.

Out of all my experiences in Newfoundland, this was among the best-even up against darts, George Street, and whale watching tours. There's nothing better than feeling like you are part of another culture, even for a day or week, in a new part of the world.
Time eventually took over, and we had to go home, getting a ride to hotel and the Hanlon's from Andy. After one more restful night, I'd be up early and heading to the airport, and another week in a new place, the great city of Chicago.and another seven days of old and new friends, searching the city for the darts.

Over and double out.











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