City perks

Outside Jeld-Wen Field

Living in the city has its perks.

Last night, the Portland Timbers hosted the Wilmington Hammerheads of North Carolina. It so happened that some of my season-ticket holding friends had tickets they couldn't use. This windfall development resulted in Maty and I and our sister, Nadia, hopping  the #14 bus bound for Jeld-Wen Field on an unseasonably cool May evening.

Fallen eaglet

There was a hubbub in Lownsdale Square at the corner of 4th and Main. An eaglet had fallen from the big tree. A small crowd gathered to watch as the police cordoned off the area. Someone called the Audubon Society.

Pre-game warm-ups

We got to the stadium in good time and found seats in general admission, up above the rowdiest of the Timbers Army.

Timber's Army

Whether it was due to the rigors of cross-country travel or being just plain out-matched, the Hammerheads got hammered. The score was 4-0 at the break and the first half was played almost entirely on Wilmington's side of the pitch. Frederic Piquionne (out of New Caledonia) scored 4 of Portland's 5 goals.

It was a flat blowout. Final score, Portland 5, Wilmington 1. The Timber's Army roared its approval.

Me and my honey

On the ride home, Maty and Nadia, the two West Africans, had an animated conversation in French. An Asian-American man overheard them and interjected "Excusez-moi. De quel pays venez-vous?"

Soon the three of them were going back and forth while I, with my feeble French comprehension, followed along. It was infectious. Someone in the back of the bus spoke up to the delight of the conversants: "Tout le monde parle français!"  

It was late and we were tired, but it was a rewarding evening. 

Rode the bus. Saw a football game. Participated in a spontaneous conversation in French. Taking advantage of those city perks.