This was a trip away to play bridge. I dont normally write about these trips, but given i am stuck at Charlotte airport for a few hours i thought i would share a few thoughts.
So for the last 10 years or so i have been coming across to the US to play in one of the three annual major championships. Normally the summer but last couple of years in the spring. The locations vary, see later, so it means you see some different cities in states. This year was St Louis.
Given the weather, the fact you are here to play bridge rather than a "normal" tourist and therefore busy most days from 1pm, means i did not see much of the city. It did have the feel of a typical city that a bit down on its luck. Some "highlights"....
- arrived to bright sunshine and 70 degrees
- i had been warned, but the drop to closer to 40 degrees the following day, with a significant wind chill was a bit of a shock
- after the cold, a week later the snow came, 6-9 inches and caused some concern about travel (so far i have flown to Charlotte as planned, no snow but mechanical problem on plane means current 4 hour delay)
- other than the weekend, the bar and restaurants were empty. The city seems to close at 10pm.
- the Arch was impressive. Standing as recognition to the fact that St Louis used to be the gateway to the west, its impressive in design and hopefully i will have some ok photos (its practicaly the only thing in the city to shoot)
- some interesting sculptures in a city squar
Thats about it. It did make me think of other US cities i have visited to play bridge, which i think are (in no real order):
Washington (x2)
New York
Chicago
Vegas
Memphis
Nashville
Phillidelphia
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