The Ring of Fire

After awaking from my nap, it was time to get ready and 'head to town' to take in the sights, sounds, pints, people ~ pubs and karaoke!  Now there was undoubtedly, a great deal to see and do in Glasgow and I wanted to experience it all, or as much as I could! The great thing about visiting this time, was to be along with Ed.  That he was a Scot, and thoroughly versed in the history of the country, it made for a even more interesting trip than if I had been a tourist visiting!  I t definitely provided a different more detailed view and understanding of the city and country!

Awake, dressed and out of the house, the first order of business was a pint to quench our thirst.  Drinking seemed to be a big past time, or at least from my experience.  As we made our way to the first pub, in Glasgow, we walked - yes, walked that in itself a strange feelings.  The general accepted mode of transportation though seemed to be by foot, taxi or public transportation.  Almost always reluctant to take a taxi in the U.S, for fear of the cost, such was not the case at all in Scotland.  Still though, we 'hoofed' it via feet through town.  

The architecture was amazing to say the least!  The ornate sculptures on the sides of buildings, unlike anything to be seen back in States.  There seemed to be history on every street corner and in between!  Without a doubt, Ed was a great and knowledgeable 'tour guide' but just as importantly he new where all the pubs were as well!  While we sat enjoying our pint, discuss ensued as to where and what we should see.  The decision was the University of Glasgow and the The Hunerian, the oldest museum in Glasgow!  Now it seemed strange to travel all the way to Scotland to 'just' visit a museum!  Wow, the thought that comes to mind, first and foremost!  It was awesome and a whole other string of adjectives to describe it!

After visiting and touring the museum, it was time for - yep you guessed it - more beer!  The rest of the afternoon we spent walking around going from pub to pub, taking in the sights as we made out way along.  As night progressed we ended up in an obscure 'back street pub and 'settled in' for the night.  The activities for entertainment for the night at the pub was drinking and karaoke! 

Now as the night progressed and got further into our pint, the goading began for me to sing karaoke!  With numerous protests, I declined to participate - not wishing to 'make a fool' out of myself, I had only sang karaoke once before, many years ago in a faraway land!  Apparently my protest s were either unheard, or ignored as I was to learn when my name was called!  With the announcement that I would be singing, 'Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash.

With some reluctance, I made my way to retrieve the microphone given it was a bit 'late' to back out seeing as when my name was announced, it was also announced I was the yank from California.  Now this elicited a great deal of interest and excitement from the pub crowd!  As nervous as a 'cat on a hot tin roof,' I commenced to sing the words to the song as they scrolled across the video screen!  Now after the song ended, as I greeted by a number of Scots, apparently just as far into their pints as I was.  But I did not buy another pint that night, but my 'glass' was never empty!

If I had to pick

If I had to pick any one place of all the places I have been as a 'favorite' I would be hard pressed to make a decision on which it is. If 'forced' to pick a favorite, it would probably be Scotland, but more about that later. Truly, all of them were special in their own way and for their own reasons! Though Africa, is indeed in the top 5, simply because of my love for animals and nature! Truly, I did learn so much more than I even knew after my visit there!

When we stayed in Africa, while on the 'safari' we stayed a Hilton, nice yes, but it was unique because of the location. While you might imagine it was near or in a big city, it actually was in the 'middle of nowhere!' Out of all the Hiltons and Hyatts and almost every other hotel and motel imaginable, I have never had orientation when I checked in. That was not the case here! After we checked in at the desk, the group of us were assembled and warned about going outside after dark.

Now, this was without a doubt, one of the most unique Hiltons, I had ever seen or stayed in. It was only 2 stories, and square shaped, with 'everything' inside the square. Everything that is except the garbage receptacles. It is for this reason, we were told to stay 'in' the square at night. The reason the 'wild' animals came up at night to 'check out' the garbage receptacle. To be outside the square made one 'subject' to being dinner for a wild animal!

After our orientation, we were escorted to our rooms. Now the rooms held another unexpected surprise! When we entered the room, a net was found to be suspended over the beds. Of course in my innocence and inexperience, I asked about the need for the 'mosquito nets' at night. Promptly the bell help corrected and enlightened me that the nets were not mosquito nets and they were not there for convenience! More so, they were snake nets and 'required.' Another interesting thing about this hotel – there was no air conditioning! Therefore the sliding doors were apt to be open and snakes apt to crawl into the rooms and beds! Point taken and I did sleep with the net securely fastened about the bed – as I am most certain 'everyone' else did that night!

With check-in and orientation over, it was time for a little relaxation and exploring before dinner. After getting cleaned up and'squared away' my friend and roommate for the night, Bryan and I, went downstairs and outside the square while it was still light. It was close to sunset, and while outside got to view what must have been the most beautiful sunset, I could ever imagine! Almost the entire sky was orange and surrounding an even darker orange orb which was the sun! The vast expanse of the savannah and the desert lent dust to the air which filtered the sunlight, giving it the orange cast we observed! Trul unique, as well as magnificent!

After a short time, we all met up in the dining room for dinner, where we had an awesome dinner and some socializing. After dinner, there were not any clubs or bars nearby, so were limited to the hotel bar and lobby for our entertainment. It was here on this night I became familiar with Toasted Almond cocktails! The delightful combination of coffee and almond liqueurs make this creamy concoction a great indulgence. They are awesome, to say the least! So that evening, myself and a few other shipmates sat in the lobby enjoying the 'new' fond concoction and conversation!

While sitting, enjoying the evening, someone looked up into the 'tower' which loomed over our heads in the lobby. Upon closer observation we noticed it was 'full' of seemingly 1000's of bats! An inquiry with the hotel staff, to confirm what we thought we saw, which was indeed what we thought. The tower was open to the outside allowing the bats access to the interior where they roosted during the day, and made their way out for the foraging and hunting at night! Truly a unique and interesting experience – a night of Toasted Almonds, bats in the lobby of the Hilton in the 'middle of nowhere.

The Pllumber and Blue Jeans

After the ride from the airport, we arrived at the Hopkin's home for a more 'quiet' and formal visit face to face, in the living room.  This was not before breakfast!  Which Mrs. Hopkins insisted in preparing for Ed and I, assuredly, we must be famished after our flight, and apparent night of drinking!  Far be it, for me to 'refuse' food, so I sat down to enjoy a traditional Scottish breakfast!  Ah, not so different from a traditional American breakfast, that is accept for the one addition, which you don't find on an American breakfast menu!  Black [Blood]  Pudding!  To say the least, breakfast was good!  Perhaps due to the 'long' plane ride and all, but suffice to say, the only time I had, or have had black pudding is that morning!

After breakfast, we all 'retired' to the living room to visit and catch up on things!  Now while we sat visiting, myself on the couch and Mrs. Hopkins, sitting across from me in a chair, she noticed the blue jeans I had on.  A 'designer' pair of blue jeans with a purposefully placed 'worn' hole in the leg!  Seeing this Mrs. Hopkins, offered to get her needle and thread to repair them for me!  LOL Imagine trying to explain to her that the hole was intentional!  With a laugh, I declined her offer and we continued chatting about other things.  This was not before, Ed 'warned' me that she was not convinced or understood about the 'hole' in the jeans!  She was very likely to 'snatch' the jeans from the laundry to repair them.  Needless to say, when I changed, I 'stuffed' the jeans to the bottom of my bad and did not get them out again before leaving!

After chatting for a bit, it was determined by all that Ed and I should sleep for a wee bit, before we progressed to town to begin our 'tour' of the city!  Now this sounded to be a good idea, but before a nap, a shower was in order!  Ah but first, the shower head had to be installed!  The bathtub was just that ~ a bathtub with no shower head!  Now Mr. Hopkins had purchase an 'add on' shower head to be installed, but not being a mechanical person, he 'left' it for me to install!  Apparently, Ed had informed his parents previously that I had some mechanical aptitude!  So before I showered, first I was to install the shower!

Now this required drilling into ceramic tile to affix the fixture to the wall!  Somewhat reluctant giving my previous night lack of sleep, my 'immense' intake of alcohol and the mere fact that I did not want to 'screw' this up and turn it into a bigger project than it should be - I acquiesced and climbed into the bathtub to install the shower head.  Fortunately with little trouble and without cracking any ceramic tiles, I was able to successfully install the shower head!  While installing the shower head, I could not help but imagine how long this house had stood, existing without a shower!  Not to mention, the countless baths taken!  The Hopkins family is quite 'large', all 'boys,' Mrs. Hopkins, being the only female of the lot!  [Which made for pretty interesting dynamics!]

After the shower, it was time for 'my' bed, which involved the 'museum.'  Having lived there, Ed naturally had his 'old' bedroom while mine was to be one the other 'boys' had occupied when home.  Since the emptying of the 'nest,' Mr. Hopkins, a retired Glasgow, police officer, had turned the bedroom into what was affectionately referred to as the 'museum.'  
After a tour of the museum, it was time for a nap....

Before sleeping though, I removed my blue jeans, rolled them up and stuffed them into the bottom of my bag!  Having been forewarned, Ms. Hopkins was apt to seek them out and upon finding them, affix the repairs she was 'sure' they required!  Feeling sleepy, but secure that my jeans were safe, I drifted off to my slumber....for a short while.

Raised Terror Alert

The trip was planned, plans made and the travel itinerary set.  As with most business trips, the details were laid out sometime before.  Thought travel to Livingston, Scotland, to the office there were not uncommon, this one was going to be 'special.'  This time it worked out that both Ed and myself would be able to go at the same time, which our schedules did not usually work out to make such travel possible.  Ed was the Business Manager for the business model, essentially my 'opposite,' as I was the technology manager for the business model.

What made this trip special was that Ed was a Scotsman from Glasgow, so to be able to make the trip with him, made a 'tour guide' for the trip and almost certainly guaranteed a different view of the 'country' than I was accustomed.  As part of the planning for the trip, we worked it out to be able to go over a couple of days before our planned business requirements which necessitated the trip in the first place.  Even better, we planned it out to be in Glasgow over the weekend, before we had to be at the office on Monday.

Packed and ready to go, Ed and I met at our office in Fremont, having enough time to check email and such before we headed to the airport.  Which in hindsight was probably a good thing.  When we arrived at the office, things started 'buzzing' with emails and phone calls from corporate travel telling us to modify our travel plans, more so our packing.  There had been a terrorist threat in Heathrow, that changed the procedures for traveling and the way you could pack to get through the airport and on the plane. 

So rather than carry on luggage and laptop bags, Ed and I, stood in the parking lot outside the office that morning, repacking, 'shoving' everything we could into our luggage to be checked.  Things were pretty normal, or seemed to be as we checked in at the San Francisco airport and prepared to take the flight to Heathrow.   Only difference noticeable - no liquids through the gate.  No worries for Ed and me, as we had repacked before arriving at the airport.  Since we had, we did not carry anything on, not even a book or an IPOD for the 12-13 hour plane ride!

No worries, or so we thought since the majority of the flight would be at night, so we figured there would be ample time to sleep and be well rested when we arrived the next morning, and to 'tour' Glasgow.  So after arriving at the airport, we ended up at the bar and drank our breakfast was we awaited the boarding of our flight.

Despite the 'special' situation, the travel was going fairly smooth as we boarded the plane to make our way 'abroad.'  The boarding of the flight in San Francisco, went smoothly and on time and we arrived and departed Chicago, with no issues!  Shortly after we boarded the flight to make our way across the ocean, things began to get interesting.  

Fortunately, we had arranged seats in the center aisle of the plane, and luck be with us, we had a row of three seats to ourselves, giving us room to 'stretch out' and sleep in preparation of our arrival and our weekend!  Once we were airborne, it became pretty immediately obvious we would not be getting much sleep, but not for the reason we thought.  Sitting in an aisle a couple of rows behind was a fairly 'loud' woman who was quite boisterous and verbal, the noise she was creating making sleep 'impossible.'  Good fortune be with us though, the flight attendant found another seat, somewhere else on the plane for the woman to relocate to.  Finally it seemed peace and quiet would be ours and allow the sleep we were planning on getting.

Ha!  Such was not to be so!  The flight attendant who was in our section, seemed to take 'pity' on Ed and I, for having to 'put up' with the woman, and as they drink cart came around, the attendant gave us a bottle of wine!  Well both Ed and I being somewhat wine 'lovers' [it had alcohol didn't it? and who can 'pass up' free liquor!?]  Well between the two of us, a bottle of wine did not last long and when it was finished, it seemed we would 'finally' get some sleep.  As we were getting 'settled' in preparing to sleep, the flight attendant happened by with another [gratis] bottle of wine.  Again, neither Ed or I, to be ones to refuse free alcohol, we gladly took the bottle and had another glass of wine!  

The wine bottle was soon empty, but before it was the flight attendant passed us by again, with yet another bottle of [gratis] wine.  And yet again, it was beyond us to 'refuse' it or save it for later, so we had another bottle of wine!  We passed away the time sharing the bottle of wine and making conversation about most anything imaginable.  Still we thought there would be enough time for at least a 'long' nap between the time we finished this bottle of wine and the time we landed in Heathrow.  Well the bottles of wine kept coming [gratis] until the 'wee' hours of the morning.  

Finally, the last time the flight attendant came by, yet again offering another bottle of wine, we declined admitting the need to nap before we landed.  Turning the overhead light off, it seemed 'plenty' dark so surely there was enough time for a nap before we landed!  Almost as soon as I closed my eyes, the reason why it was so dark was almost immediately revealed and it was not because of the hour!  The darkness was broken and the daylight revealed when the person across the aisle raised the blind on their window, 'uncovering' the sun and letting the light in!  

Well at this point, we were to close to landing to go to sleep!  So we rode out the rest of the flight as we made our descent and landing at Heathrow!  After making our way through customs and all, we wound our way through the airport to catch our flight to Glasgow.  From this point on, the trip went smoothly and quietly and we landed in Glasgow, to be met by Ed's parents!  As we stood waiting to get our luggage from the carousel, we chatted with Ed's parents. After a short time, Mrs. Hopkins informed us that we were phished [drunk] which was just unimaginable!  

After we retrieved our luggage, we made way to the car and subsequently the trip to their house.  As it had been awhile since they had seen Ed, and even longer since I had seen them [I had met them previously when they came to the states on holiday] and both Ed and I were sleep deprived, as well as being drunk!  It was a 'lively' trip to the house!

Ouzo and Communists

It seems that most every country came with its own 'warnings' of things to avoid while we were there visiting, the two things we were warned of when we visited Greece were ouzo and communists.  Ouzo, the national drink of Greece is illegal because it contains absinthe,  and is considered to be psychoactive, or narcotic effects and possible death.  Though it is legal to buy ouzo in the U.S., it is not the true ouzo as it is distilled to taste the same, but not contain the same ingredients, or have been processed [distlled] the same way.

Though I can recall 'visiting' a bar while there, sitting around the table with a number of shipmates, one afternoon enjoying our drinks, getting the 'necessary' fill of 'rum.' partying and drinking was not the same past time while there as it was in other places.  And of course, we 'avoided' the ouzo.

The other thing we were told to avoid while there was the communist protests which were going on at the military base on the island at the time. 

Despite the 'lack' of drinking and this 'warning' of visiting the military base to avoid the communist, there was plenty to see and do while we were there!  Actually there was more to see and do, than the time permitted!  So my choice was to visit the Tempe of Apollo, which was in my mind, the 'best' choice!

To get to the temple from the city, was a rather 'long' bus ride and it provided an opportunity to see the countryside during the travels.   It was amazing as we traveled along the highway to see the 'red mountains' [due to their high iron content] and the olive trees that seemingly 'lined' the countryside.  Along the way, we stopped at a 'roadside' outpost for souvenirs and to 'visit' with the locals' for time.

Now this outpost was not a 'tourist trap' such as one might imagine one would visit while traveling the U.S.!  It was no 'chain' that is for sure and it wasn't 'right off' the highway' either!  Instead, it was a wooden building, where a number of goods and wares were available for purchase. Not the multitude of 'popped' trinkets and souvenirs one might find while stopping while traveling the U.S., but genuine goods and products of the local community!  Still I can remember the wool jacket I bought while there, though I haven't a clue what happened to it!

After the 'brief' stop at the outpost, it was onward to the main purpose of the trip and undoubtedly the highlight of the trip, the Temple of Apollo!  Back then, and even now, the Temple of Apollo, was and is a 'big' thing and I expected a magnificent and colossal visitor [tourist] center to 'mark' the spot, surrounded by a 'sprawling' metropolis - after all, isn't that what I would expect 'back home' around such a significant sight?  It was obvious Greece was not home as we pulled into the parking lot for the temple.  Instead the Temple was surrounded by trees, mountains and Quiet!!

Despite the 'lack' of home, all the expected sights and sounds.  Where the heck was the McDonalds or Denny's?  It was still awe inspiring and breath taking. Not so much in the maintained landscape and 'remodeled' and well maintained facility, but more just by the history and thought of all that had taken place here!  It was quite a surprise to me, that we were actually able to go into the stadium and sit on the very 'seats' that undoubtedly many others had 'during the day.'  There was nothing modern about the Temple, no signs advertising the local 'hot spots' or eateries, instead the 'raw' arena, much as it must have appeared during the time that is was a 'center' of activity!  Siting the arena, it was hard not to look out on the 'field' and imagine the activities that went on during the time the Temple was 'alive.'

Indeed, not the most interesting of stories I am sure, but the experience and opportunity to travel to and visit Greece was in many ways, for many reasons well worth it!  Undoubtedly, it is a place I would go to visit again, should the opportunity arise!

First Tattoo

Missing Ship's movement has to be one of the most serious thing's a sailor can do, but not this time....

Of all the places I have been Scotland, had to be one of my favorite places of all, for many reasons.  The people, the history, the architecture of the buildings, there is just so much of it all.  The people are fantastic and it has to be but one of the many reasons I like Scotland so much.

The first time I visited Scotland, Edinburgh first and foremost, was back in 1982, when things were very different all over the world, in many different ways than they are now.  About 25 years later, I returned to Edinburgh, and many things had changed about the city, the people and the attitudes of it all.  More about that later though, for now, let me tell you about this visit in particular and many of the things that occurred during my visit.

Without a doubt, if drinking is on your mind, Scotland has to be one of the best places in the world to do it!  Especially in that time and day.  The atmosphere in the pubs is so much different than the bars and club of the United States. For a thirsty sailor, it is almost 'ideal' since you could go into a pub in the 'middle of the afternoon' and it was acceptable, almost expected and 'wet your whistle' while downing a pint or two!

On this particular afternoon, several other shipmates and myself, were out seeing the town and pub hopping to get our fill!  Sometime in the early afternoon, we spotted a tattoo shop and the consent was we should go and get a tattoo.  A natural thing for a sailor to do right?  So off to the tattoo shop we went, four or five us.  Upon arriving at the tattoo shop, we were 'revved' up and all motivated to get our 'first' tattoo.  When we got to the shop though, we were informed it would be 'awhile,' but we were welcome to wait.  Well the decision was made to wait our turn, but the wait turned out to be longer than our ability to wait for the next pint.  So in search of another pub, we abandoned the tattoo shop and ventured forward to the nearest pub!

While we sat in the pub, socializing and getting our fill of ale, we learned of a concert going on later that 'night' in the local 'hall.'  Though we had never heard of the performed, Elvis Costello, we decided it was worth a go and decided to attend. 

What a good decision it turned out to be as well.  The venue was small, maybe 800-1000 people and it was more like a school auditorium.  We must not have sat down the whole concert though, instead standing to enjoy the music and see the performers over the heads of the rest of the crowd there. The acoustics in the hall were great, as was the music! 

It was a pretty calm night with not a lot happening as we became acquainted with city, more playing like tourists than sailors.  It all worked out well though, never did get the 'first' tattoo at that time.  Learning that the 'wait' was due to another shipmate getting work done on a 'massive' tattoo that 'ran' from his shoulder to his calf!  Seemed one of his 'traditions' was to get a little more work done on the tat in each port.

From some aspects and points of view, it was a somewhat boring day but for us, it was 'great' just to take it all in and be able to drink and experience an 'unheard' of 'local' performer.  The 'trip' did get better though!

The 'Gut'

Earlier, I was thinking about my travels around the world, trying to 'recall' something I could share and entertain you and not bore you and I came to the conclusion, I would probably need to write a book LOL to be able to share all the experiences that I at least feel are noteworthy and worth sharing! It seems that each country had its own 'theme' to remember and sometimes, undoubtedly you would have had to been there and a part of it, at least to appreciate in the same way that I did. Since the times are past and the occasions but a memory, I try to make them interesting. Probably one of the countries that I have been to the most is Spain.

Often this was the first country we 'hit' after crossing the Atlantic, making our way to the Mediterranean Ocean and points further after leaving our home port of Norfolk VA. It is a very diverse country with much to offer and it is a major bummer to me that I did not spend more time enjoying the culture and all that the country had to offer. As a 'young man' and as it was most always our first and last port a call – after leaving the states and before returning, it was often all about the party! Still the same, there are many stories, some of them interesting associated with the place.

One of the places we visited often was Palma Spain, in the region known as Costa del Sol – the Coast of the Sun. The time to travel across the Atlantic, was one week. After leaving home port, the need and desire for 'relaxation and recreation' were very much needed and desired by many of the 5000 men aboard the ship, many of them 'young' and in many ways Palma, was 'great' as just the place to 'let off steam' before we traversed further to take up station in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean even.

There were 'mild' portions of the city, but still they offered 'rest and relaxation' or more so alcohol and women, which were two of the primary concerns, or so it seemed, to many! Within the city was an area known as 'the Gut,' the red light district, which offered 'anything and everything' a person might want. There was only one occasion that I visited the 'Gut,' mainly out of curiosity, to see what it was 'all about.' Now on this particular adventure, I decided to visit the area with my 'buddy' of the time, Ken, a more 'senior' individual – all of about maybe five or six years older, but who had been in the Navy for several more years and in many ways seemed more wise. Now Ken was a bit of 'heavy drinker,' maybe even an alcoholic on some scales.

All the same, he was a shipmate, my supervisor in the office I worked in and someone who held knowledge and wisdom of some things, so with all of this, I agreed to accompany him to explore the 'Gut.' Now one of the things that Ken and I shared was a 'passion' for music and we often shared and exposed one another to new forms and genres. One of Ken's favorites was the Doors – almost to the point of being an obsession it seemed sometimes! On the night I had agreed to go to the 'Gut,' it was also the first night of 'liberty call' which required the wearing of our dress uniform assure, making us 'easily' identifiable as U.S. Sailors.

As we entered the 'Gut' it was apparent that it was an older part of the city for more reasons than one. Perhaps the most obvious was the architecture. Also though, it was the 'party' atmosphere that one felt immediately upon entering the 'Gut.' Though I have never been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, that is the closest thing I can relate it to, in some ways based on my experiences with Mardi Gras in other places. The two story buildings, with the shops below and apartments above and 'tons' of people in the streets and 'hanging' from the windows! It was quite 'festive' in many ways. Of course the arrival of the 'fleet' especially an aircraft carrier and the battle group and the 'throng' of men it brought, often caused quite the festivities! LOL Horney, thirsty and adventurous 'dumb' young men – with pockets 'full of money.' What better reason to 'party?'

Almost immediately upon 'entering the Gut' the music of the Doors reached our ears and of course, being thirst and anxious for the first beer, the sounds of the bar made it a 'natural' place to make the first 'watering hole' of the night! Grabbing my arm and insisting that we go inside, Ken took my arm and proceed to 'drag me' towards the sound of the music. Proceeding up the stairs, he announced he needed to go to the 'head' [men's room] and that I should go to the bar and order 'us' a couple of cerveza, while he went to the head. With his departure to the 'back' of the bar towards the head, I made my way to the bar and placed my order for a couple of beers. Let me tell you, it did not take more than a second to realize this was not the type of bar I wished to 'hang' in all night drinking. Turning my back to the bar and leaning against it to 'sip' on my beer, I looked around the place and noticed the sparsity of people in the establishment, especially women, there were none!

Now I am not homophobic, quite actually some of my best friends in life have been gay and lesbian, bisexual or other things. Even before this experience, a number of my friends were 'gay,.' When I was 'young' 'gay bars' where actually somewhere I 'hung' out with my friends at times. The one thing though, almost all I encountered 'knew' and did not try to influence or coerce, which is my preference and belief! This was not the way it was in this establishment! Come on, we were in the 'Gut,' the 'fleet' was in and it was all about the money!

Well while Ken was 'away' to the head and I stood waiting 'enjoying' my beer, I was made offers, not once but twice. Despite the language barrier, it was pretty obvious what the offers were! Not for me thank you! As I stood at the bar, Ken emerged from the 'head' and made his way to where I stood. As he reached for his beer sitting on the bar, I began making my way to the door! Grabbing my arm, Ken 'pulled' me back to the bar and wanted to know where I was going and why! LOL now Ken was, or seemed to be homophobic and upon my telling him the type of establishment we were in, he was in a bigger hurry than me! Still a 'full' beer was enticement enough to prompt him to stay for a moment and at least finish it!

Acquiescing , I agreed to stay and finish the one beer, which I had all ready bought and paid for, before we left. That was probably the fastest I ever drank a beer in my life. Before the last gulp, I was heading towards the stairs to make my way to the street below and the 'rest of the Gut!'