【利物浦】Grand National 全國來賭馬！ @ il Giardino Romantico

雖然被課業壓得喘不過氣來。但逮到難得機會，還是想來看看賽馬場到底至怎麼一回事。畢竟，我也跟沒去過的大家一樣，之前只透過電影畫面看過。印象中也是覺得那是好野人聚集的場所。真相到底如何呢？

Despite feeling stressed out with course work, this was a chance I was not willing to let go. I really wanted to see what it was like at a horse race. Before this day, like everyone else who has never been to one, my impression of what a horse race would be like came solely from movies. It seemed like a place exclusively for the affluent. But what is it like in reality?

門票。On-the-day Ticket

要進入賽馬場，首先要買門票。買完門票，還得先通過安檢。因為本日是『Grand National』，全國平時不賭馬的都會選再這天碰碰運氣，所以人潮會特別多。前一天是『女士之日』。據說女士們都穿的很『貴婦』。不過我天身沒貴婦命。還是乖乖當我的平民就好。『女士之日』當天門票據說要價£30！原本邀我來的兩位帥哥是要在這天來的。還好，老天爺有聽到我貧窮留學生的祈禱。讓我同時可以省點錢，又可以把握這次難得的機會，來看看賽馬。

The ticket was purchased before we went in. After that, you would need to pass the security check. Because it was 'Grand National' Day, it was expected to have lots of people coming here. The day before was 'Ladies' Day'. You would find ladies in their best fancy dresses and hats. I had never had luck posing as a 'posh lady', but it was suffice to be the small-town girl that I am. The ticket to 'Ladies' Day' costs £30. It seemed like someone up there heard the prayers of a skint oversea student, and allowed me to embrace this opportunity without having to pay too much to get in.

我們到達的時候已經過了中午了。已經有很多人聚集在這裡吃吃、喝喝，當然也少不了下注。雖然看起來晴空萬里，但偶爾還是給他『陰』了一下。而且風吹的時候超冷的。此時我很慶幸自己沒有因為愛漂亮就把外套丟在房間裡。因為連穿著外套我還是一直發抖。

When we arrived, it had already passed noon. There was already a big crowd of people, eating and drinking, and putting their money on their favorite horses. Even though from the pictures, it looks like the weather was extremely nice, there were still moments when the sun was covered by the clouds. When the wind blew, it was still terribly chilly. I was glad I had brought my coat instead of leaving it home.

這只是馬場的一角。今天是來看賽馬的，不是來參觀的。所以沒有繞場參觀。照片中遠方看到的看台，就是『好野人』看賽馬的地方。像我們這種普通市井小民啊，能近來看就不錯了哩！從下午一點多開始就有第一場比賽。不過最重要的『Grand National』要到三點多才開始。這段時間，如果沒有要下注的話，要來做什麼好呢？

This is only on one tiny little corner of the whole race course. Since we weren't 'sight seeing', we didn't bother to 'tour' the place. In the picture, you can see the stands in the far side. Those stands are where the 'rich and famous' watch the races. Ordinary people, like us, are lucky enough to get in and participate! The first race begins at one. The most important one, the Grand National, is not until three. If you're not betting on any of the other races, what should you do in the mean time?

找個帳篷。喝酒！
Find a tent, and drink beer!

帳篷裡除了有酒吧，當然也還有可以下注的地方囉！
If you decide to make a bet after a pint, no one will stop you!

此時我們才發現原來馬兒要跳過的障礙有一個人那麼高！
This was when we found out how high the horses actually had to jump! The fences were as tall as a person!

有錢人就是不一樣。看個賽馬也要做直升機來。
The 'rich and famous' like to arrive with style...

距離『Grand National』越來越近，人也跟著變多了。
As the time for the 'Grand National' approaches, even more people were gathered up.

下注了沒？
Have you placed your bet?

到底有沒有贏勒？
My winning ticket!

未完。待續。
To be continued...