Stepping into the Dragon's Lair

Hello again!

Representing the United States in one of the most Welsh things ever!

I haven't really been up to too much as of late, but that all changed this past Monday...
I toured the Millennium Stadium with my friend Kirsten W.
The tour was scheduled to start at 2pm, but we needed to check in by 1:45pm. I was a little worried about Kirsten showing up on time (the bank holiday was playing havoc with the buses). While I waited, I chatted with the guy working at the counter in the WRU store. He was very excited to meet an American (I'm sensing a theme here). He was a Cardiff native. I talked about being an international student at Cardiff University (Also shared that Dr. Jamie Roberts and I talked about being bioscience students, yay connections!).

Fun Fact #31: I swear, as soon as someone brings up that they're Welsh, it's only a matter of time that the topic of the rugby will be breached. Call it: Erin's First Law of Welsh Conversation.

Luckily, Kirsten showed up in time for the tour to start! We started off by watching a 4-minute movie that gave an overview of the stadium. Then we walked out of the WRU store into the stadium proper.

What lovely weather we're blessed with on this bank holiday! 

Symbol of the WRU: the Prince of Wales feathers

Our first stop was the Ray Gravell Press Area.

Where the captains and coaches would sit to be grilled by the press! 

Grav at the eisteddfod 

Our guide engaged in a little banter about how the losing side traditionally is first to meet the press. "So the English are first in the room usually". It was cute to see the kids on the tour sitting up at the desk and give a pretend press-conference.

In the hallway, we heard about the early days of Welsh rugby. Edward Treharne was called to play from out of the crowd during a Wales vs. England match because the Welsh side only had 13 players instead of 15! This was back in 1881.

Next up was the Home Dressing Room.

Some workout equipment 

Y Ddraig Goch! That's "The Red Dragon" in Welsh!

The guide told us the story of how the dressing room was cursed (because the footballers used to change there and they always lost!). A Feng-shui master was brought in. Apparently there were too many corners and the qi was stagnating or something. So he threw around some rocksalt, said some incantations and walked a horse and bird around outside. And after all that, they still lost! They had a local artist come in and paint a mural, and that seemed to do the trick!

Lucky Mural!

Our guide played us a "cleaned-up" version of a coach's speech. I do have to say, after hearing it, I was ready to step out onto the pitch and do Wales proud!

Numerical order: Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones,  Alun Wyn Jones (and I can't read or remember number five, sorry!), but I think number 6 is Sam Warburton... 

Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau, Mike Phillips and Dan Biggar

Alex Cuthbert, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, and George North 

Oh, Leigh... 

Ken Owens, James Hook and Luke Charteris

Poor Ryan Jones. Omitted from the Lions, Barbarians, Wales' squad to play Japan, and now my photos. I'm so sorry!

Lloyd Williams, Paul James and Scott Williams.

The floor was slightly springy, apparently it's easier on the players' feet.

Massage tables? What does it take to be a masseuse for the team?!

Cap commemorating international appearances 

On our way out to the Stadium pitch, there was a photo taken of the 2012 Welsh squad in their regional kits.

Recognise anyone?

I wanted to enter the pitch with my American Flag Scarf streaming out behind me, but, alas, t'was not meant to be. Too many people in front clogging up the tunnel. They did have cheering playing while we walked out, so that was pretty cool.

The door for the Players' Tunnel! 

Lens Flair!!  

The pitch is palletised, meaning that it can be removed for other events. The grass is from Scunthorpe, so it's fair to say that the Welsh technically haven't lost on home turf. Cheeky.

The event they're preparing for is the FIM British Speedway GP 2013. Rhianna will be performing here on June 10th!

Who's directing this? J. J. Abrams?! 

Makes me wonder what it's like to run out here to a full-house! 

Assembling the race track!

After this was the football dressing room. Our guide poked fun at the footballers. Apparently, both the football and rugby teams used the same room. The rugby coach at the time, Warren Gatland, disliked the room immensely. When he went to speak to the team, his back was always to someone. I'm told that  Gatland, being a very persuasive man, arranged to get the rugby dressing room moved to its present location. The invitation was extended to the footballers, but they declined. Our guide guessed that it was because the mirrors were here!

Can you find me?

The Millennium Stadium hosted a couple Olympic events.

We were able to climb to the highest seats in the stadium! I have to tell you, the view was awesome. I think it would've been better to watch the Varsity match from there than from the seats closer to the pitch!

Feel the vertigo! Also, feel the burn climbing up all those steep steps! 

In the corner there, I think that's where commentators sit, but I could be wrong...

As the finale of the tour, we walked over to the President's Box. Hands-down, the best seats in the house, right by the centre line. You can't buy tickets here, you have to be invited by the WRU president. Quite a few celebrities have sat here over the years (including Will and Kate!).

The Royal Seats have extra arm-room! 

More seats in the President's Box, note the inferior arm-room. Peasants!

Our guide brought out a trophy for us to pose with (It was a Wales vs Argentina trophy from 2009, if I recall correctly). Not to brag too much, but I already have a trophy picture and it was with the Six Nations trophy. Kirsten and I felt like we could skip this part.

And that concludes our tour!

After the tour, Kirsten and I dodged the rain and got some stuff at Starbucks. I also went shopping a little bit by myself. I grabbed a quick late-lunch/early-dinner at Crepe Affaire. It was very much needed! As the rain continued to pour, I went to the Chaplaincy to dry off and take a break. People were still raving about the dinner Rosina and I made last Sunday (chicken drumsticks in a spicy tomato sauce with curry rice and veg). I love the people there, such a nice group. What a great way to spend a rather dreary day.

When I got back, I posted a photo to my Instagram account and tagged the WRU in it. They posted it on their Facebook page. Here are the current stats on it.

Impressive! I feel so loved.

Cheers!