1. 2 years ago 
    THFC WHITE HART LANE COYS LONDON N17 NORTH LONDON (pics here) Saturday, September 26, 2009: For better or worse, this will probably be one of the more significant days of my life for quite some time. That is because this will forever be the day of my maiden trip to the spiritual home of 4 million people across the planet, the kingdom of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, White Hart Lane. No reason my gap-year can’t be even just a little bit about turning dreams in reality. All thanks to a lovely chap named Rick, who found his way onto the forum over at LASpurs.com, the website of Southern California’s best Premiership supporters’ club (check it out, dig it). Rick generously offered to secure me a ticket to Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley at White Hart Lane on 9/26/2009, and not only looked after me but made sure I had nothing short of a tremendous first experience in North London. He and his game-day crew welcomed me with open arms and I couldn’t be more appreciative of that. Tottenham Hotspur is a family, and I was fortunate enough to be part of that at least once in my life. Hopefully, and inevitably, there will be more. The day began with the Metro ride back to Liverpool Street Station, where I would be meeting up with Rick and his boys. Spurs shirts were bustling by in every which direction, and of course we were all yelling, shouting, and waving at each other. And of course saying less than polite things to those fellows in other shirts. From there, up to the beautiful N17, Northumberland Park, White Hart Lane. Okay, North London isn’t exactly the vacation capital of the world or the most scenic destination, but I knew it was without a doubt the heartbeat of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. The people, the vendors, the cockerels, the feeling, the exhilaration - it was all there. We grabbed some local, English breakfast, and then Rick took me to the Spurs Shop. Oh my oh my, the Spurs Shop - tears of joy, overwhelming giddiness. Time to hit the bars, obviously not because of the drinking but because of the experience, tradition, and atmosphere. Hundreds hang out in the patios before the game, talking, laughing, singing, and preparing mentally by consuming a magical drink that somehow - didn’t even know it was possible - makes football better. This is match-day, this is Tottenham Hotspur. And it’s time. Into White Hart Lane for Tottenham Hotspur, the mighty Lilywhites, playing host to Burnley Football Club. White Hart Lane was absolutely beautiful, buzzing, tremendous, fantastic - breathtaking, really. As Tottenham ran out 5-0 winners, it was two hours of singing, smiling, laughing, and more singing in the Park Lane as we all enjoyed a wonderful day of football in the September sunshine. WE’RE THE PARK LANE, WE’RE THE PARK LANE, WE’RE THE PARK LANE TOTTENHAM! Debriefing and celebrating at the Olive Branch, and then time to head back into London as the sun sinks under the horizon. What a truly awesome and unbelievable day - I really should just let the pictures do the talking for me. I really cannot thank Rick enough for the hospitality and generosity he extended my way on that most special of days, one that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

    THFC WHITE HART LANE COYS LONDON N17 NORTH LONDON (pics here)

    Saturday, September 26, 2009: For better or worse, this will probably be one of the more significant days of my life for quite some time. That is because this will forever be the day of my maiden trip to the spiritual home of 4 million people across the planet, the kingdom of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, White Hart Lane. No reason my gap-year can’t be even just a little bit about turning dreams in reality.

    All thanks to a lovely chap named Rick, who found his way onto the forum over at LASpurs.com, the website of Southern California’s best Premiership supporters’ club (check it out, dig it). Rick generously offered to secure me a ticket to Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley at White Hart Lane on 9/26/2009, and not only looked after me but made sure I had nothing short of a tremendous first experience in North London. He and his game-day crew welcomed me with open arms and I couldn’t be more appreciative of that. Tottenham Hotspur is a family, and I was fortunate enough to be part of that at least once in my life. Hopefully, and inevitably, there will be more.

    The day began with the Metro ride back to Liverpool Street Station, where I would be meeting up with Rick and his boys. Spurs shirts were bustling by in every which direction, and of course we were all yelling, shouting, and waving at each other. And of course saying less than polite things to those fellows in other shirts. From there, up to the beautiful N17, Northumberland Park, White Hart Lane.

    Okay, North London isn’t exactly the vacation capital of the world or the most scenic destination, but I knew it was without a doubt the heartbeat of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. The people, the vendors, the cockerels, the feeling, the exhilaration - it was all there. We grabbed some local, English breakfast, and then Rick took me to the Spurs Shop. Oh my oh my, the Spurs Shop - tears of joy, overwhelming giddiness.

    Time to hit the bars, obviously not because of the drinking but because of the experience, tradition, and atmosphere. Hundreds hang out in the patios before the game, talking, laughing, singing, and preparing mentally by consuming a magical drink that somehow - didn’t even know it was possible - makes football better. This is match-day, this is Tottenham Hotspur.

    And it’s time. Into White Hart Lane for Tottenham Hotspur, the mighty Lilywhites, playing host to Burnley Football Club. White Hart Lane was absolutely beautiful, buzzing, tremendous, fantastic - breathtaking, really. As Tottenham ran out 5-0 winners, it was two hours of singing, smiling, laughing, and more singing in the Park Lane as we all enjoyed a wonderful day of football in the September sunshine. WE’RE THE PARK LANE, WE’RE THE PARK LANE, WE’RE THE PARK LANE TOTTENHAM!

    Debriefing and celebrating at the Olive Branch, and then time to head back into London as the sun sinks under the horizon. What a truly awesome and unbelievable day - I really should just let the pictures do the talking for me. I really cannot thank Rick enough for the hospitality and generosity he extended my way on that most special of days, one that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

     

  2. Notes

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So I, Sean Kesluk, left Los Angeles for a 6 month adventure abroad in Europe and South America. After a few weeks studying the Deutsch in Freiburg, Germany, it's two months up north in Hamburg working for the city's Jewish community center. After a brief foray into Sweden, I'll head South to Buenos Aires for some Spanish classes and volunteer work in a La Boca soup kitchen. After that it's back home to the States and national service with AmeriCorps NCCC. With a month of training at the VA medical campus in Perry Point, MD, it 's off to Baltimore for my first project, two months working for The Samaritan Women, a non-profit renovating a hundred-year-old mansion to use as a transitional home for women in recovery from heroin addiction and human trafficking, in addition to expanding a farm/urban garden to distribute produce to soup kitchens, shelters, and those in nutritional poverty. The second project will see us down in New Orleans, LA doing post-Katrina work with The Phoenix of New Orleans, a non-profit which renovates homes for Lower Mid-City homeowners who can't afford to do so.
 
 

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