When you are reminded of the good times you had 10 Years ago - MANCHESTER

I am not a big fan of the Giant Google ogling into everything you do. They have access to my private information. Having said that, yesterday I got a notification which reminded me of my days in England. If not saved on Google photos and keeping them there for almost 10 years, I would not have received this notification. It shows the power of the big tech firms and their influence in your everyday life.

Let's forget that narrative for a while and relive the days that were well spent.

Back in Summer/Fall 2011, I traveled to Manchester from Norwich with my friends to participate in Paul Scholes' testimonial match against New York Cosmos. It was to celebrate his role in Manchester United and also to satisfy one of our friends - a true Man Utd fan.

It was a train ride from Norwich to London to Manchester. A carefree English train-ride coupled with friendly, cheerful young lads enjoying their McD and piles of papers to read for the upcoming exam was a perfect gate away for our late summer travel plan.

Reached Manchester and started our journey with beer and city touring. I don't remember how was the weather but i think it was bit windy than my liking back then. The testimonial match was great. That was my first visit to the United stadium and it is great to be there in person. I do not have enough words to explain the feeling. English football is always fun and the experience you had when you are on the street with the fans and in bars around the stadium is something you don't want to miss. I enjoyed the match and the interaction with other fans thoroughly.

In this time of COVID and empty stadiums, it is nostalgic to look at those packed stadiums and cheering fans. Hope we will be able to go back to normal "normal" again. Not a big fan of this new 'normal'.

Look at those pictures, it reminds me how much mobile photography has changed in the last decade.