Liverpool or Bust

Yep, we went to Beatletown, which also happens to be Phil's hometown. Don't get too excited -- we didn't have loads of time to go sight-seeing. This visit was strictly to visit Phil's friends and family.
The train ride up was beautiful. Honestly, the English countryside I saw resembled a lot of rural Kentucky's countryside, except in England, it's sheep instead of cattle grazing in the fields. It was overcast, but the grass was a beautiful kelly green -- not the teal bluegrass I'm used to seeing.
Our first stop was to a town called Runcorn, which is a little villa about 10 minutes outside of Liverpool, where Phil's Godfather, Jimmy, lives. Now THAT is a man who can tell a story. I never had a grandfather figure in my life, but I could easily see Jimmy as one. In other parts of the city, I also met Phil's mom, her boyfriend, Phil's sister, her boyfriend, and several of Phil's childhood/teenage friends.
Liverpool is more laidback than London. There is more time to enjoy things but fewer jobs to support the cost of living. It's right along the River Mersey, which brings in a pretty chilly breeze...much colder than what the Ohio River brings us.
I had a fantastic time meeting everyone and shared tons of laughs. I had a grand time explaining some of the differences between England and America in terms of daily lifestyle idiosyncracies. For example, if I asked for two drinks and flashed up 2 with my fingers, palm-side in, people in America would just think I were asking for two drinks. In England, that means "Fuck off." If you want to ask for 2 of something by hand, you have to do it palm-side out or you will highly insult someone.
We even compared grocery store receipts. It was hard for them to grasp our concept of sales tax. In England, all the tax is included in the price you see on the shelf. So, if you see a tag for 3.99 GBP, then you go to the register and you pay 3.99 GBP, no more/no less.
Probably the biggest difference between English social events and American social events is that the English revolve life around tea, whereas Americans revolve life around food. If I drank as much tea as everyone offered, I'd never eat again....then again, that may not be a terrible idea! Just with the lifestyle change alone, I'm probably due to lose 40-50 pounds before I return in July.
Anywho, I better get to the big reveal. I told you guys that your standards were too high, because Phil and I have not gotten married, I'm definitely not pregnant, and no, I have not pooped on myself in public. My idea of a big reveal is that the grocery store cashiers are required to sit down on the job. THAT'S jaw-dropping news. Cashiers can flippin' sit down for 8 hours! Whodathunkit?
I know, I know...there aren't any pictures. Cut a girl a break, will ya? We'll be back to Liverpool in May, and we'll be there for longer than 3 days, so I'll be able to get to some of the sights. I won't leave you in the dark forever -- promise.