Laura Cornelius
Life on the Road
Magic in Madrid
So, indeedio from San Remo it was onwards-bound to our next stop of Madrid, Spain. Only thing, we couldn't get a direct flight, oh no, that would be far too simple. From San Remo, we flew to Nice, to fly back to London City for a 4 hour stopover and then to Madrid. Obviously, living in London I really didn't want to spend 4 hours just sat waiting at the airport, so decided I was going to be really romantic and find my boyfriend and see him for perhaps 20 minutes before shooting back to the airport. Well, 20 minutes turned into about 7 minutes as he rushed out of work to find me, I went all a bit clumsy, bleated out some nonsense about what had happened in the last 7 days and then watched him wander off back to his office. Not even anytime for nooky, which deeply tormented me. It was like something from a movie. What made matters even worse, the sun was shining so brightly and the sun never shines in London! Oh well, at least there will be sangria on the other side (that's what I'm talkin' about!) So we boarded our final flight of the day to Madrid and eventually, a few wines down the road, landed and got to the hotel around midnight. It had been an excruciatingly long day, but the next day was free for us to spend how we wished, so being of the 'Night Owl' persona, there was not a way in the world I was letting this Wednesday night out of my grasp. Everyone on the flight I was with was tired and just wanted bed, so I got thinking, I was so eager to get out and see Madrid that night we arrived I would have gone out on my own, but it just so happened I found some of the card dealers from the EPT and it was one of their birthdays, BOOM! It was great to get out and really experience the nightlife of Madrid and one of the guys I was with was originally from Madrid, so all the better that he knew where to take us. There was drinking, drinking, dancing and then a bit more drinking as we left Pacha (yep the club - not quite Ibiza standards but fun nonetheless due to the copious bottles of vodka we had necked) and I must have fallen into my bed around 7am, though I really have no idea... and that was my first night in Madrid. There, of course have been many more since.
A stonking hangover was unfortunately present the first time I met Sarah Grant. I had pre-warned her of this and it perhaps made me a tad more endearing to her, well, I hoped so. I was excited that Sarah had come over from Vegas to help me out with the videos at the Grand Final. Double Trouble, and that's exactly what we have been up until now. We wanted to both get involved in the welcome video to Madrid so were keen to think of something completely stupid we could do in it. A Love Story. Perfect! Here it is....
So we're into Day 3 now at The Grand Final and I finally feel like I am becoming part of this world slowly as poker players from around the world are recognizing me more and actually coming up to speak with me, and I to them, which is great. I still am desperate to play some poker and though in a world where I am surrounded with it, its never possible for me to play. So I look forward to getting back to London in a few days and hitting up The International where I usually play. Its been near enough 3 weeks on the road now and while it has been an amazing time, I have no clean underwear left, so it really is time for Home Sweet Home!!
I've had three phonecalls today, for work once I get back, which has been fantastic. Two of them un-poker related and I shall probably divulge more if and when I take them on. However one was a call to do some commentary over a poker game with Mr Blackbelt Poker, Neil Channing. I have no idea what the game is, but said I would be delighted to be the 'colour' in this equation. I was perhaps more excited by the fact its a job I can do in my tracksuit bottoms and no makeup. Sod it I might even wear my pyjamas just for the sake of it! So I'll be sure to bring you more details on that one and probably the faux-pas falling out of my mouth on the job!
So, back to the grindstone here in Madrid, just two more full days to go and I have no idea who will be taking home the 1st prize of €1.5m but I wish it were me! I'm off to find some horribly greasy food right now which is simply the only answer to the amount of caphirinas I drank with some new Dutch friends last night! In the meantime, here is Sarah and I again, being silly little sausages!
