Poland Bound

So, we have successfully sight see(saw) in Barcelona.......we hopped off the subway to see Sagrada Familia........ and have made our way to Stare Jablonki, Poland. Never in my life did I think I would make it to Poland, but again, volleyball comes through and sends me to a foreign farm country. We woke this morning at 4:00am and left by shuttle at 4:15am. Sat in the Barcelona airport for 2 hours, drank our shot of coffee, had our last chocolate croissant in Spain, then headed out. After a 1.5 hr flight, layover in Zurich, and another 1.5 hour flight, we landed in Warsaw. The FIVB shuttle was waiting for us. Along with Mexico, Angola, Japan, and Australia, we hopped in the 15 passenger van and began the 3 hour journey to STARE JABLONKI. It was a cramped space, 12 athletes, a couple coaches, and tons of luggage. I guess it comes with the territory. We drove about 1.5 hours, I slept, snacked some, and we arrived at the Polish KFC (not really) the driver was hungry so he picked KFC. Some lady was selling strawberries in the parking lot, so we bought. Literally, we arrived 12 hours later. We are at Hotel Sanjimino, just ate dinner, and keeping all my favorite people updated. This town is really like a fairy tale land. Not much going on. well, we are going ot find massage and facials tomorrow. I think we deserve it! Love you all and thank you for your prayers and support.

Barcelona Day 3

So we played Germany this morning and were unlucky. I am beat! The sand is deep and we played 12 games. At the sight there is a museum and behind that the Stadium from the '92 Olympics. Heidi and I took a walk and found some great foto opps.

Barcelona Day 2

Good morning from my end. It is 7:58 am, Heidi and I just ate a spanish breaky and getting ready to play Pohl/Rau of Germany. Yesterday we faced Germany #1, and won! Then we faced Brazil (Salgado/Salgado) and lost. IT was an ugly match. So, today we looked to pull another a huge upset. It is definitely in our capacity. We are feeling good and ready to play! This pic is the view from the main court in Barcelona.

Barcelona

After a few long flights we arrived in Barcelona, Spain. We have already stayed in 2 hostels, very tiny rooms and now have managed to perch ourselves at the Main Draw 4 Star hotel. Which means we qualified yesterday by beating Australia and Canada to get in. It was not an easy day by any means. But, we managed to play together and keep our composure. Our first match today is at 11am vs. Germany!

Other Pics from Osaka

Osaka Results

So Osaka was good to us. Wr qualified and won 2 matches in the Main Draw to finish at 13th. We faced Japan and Spain in the Qualifier and China 1, Finland, and Austria in the Main Draw. We lost to China, but ended up beating Finland in 2 sets and Austria in 3 sets. WE are playing well. The best part about the week was that we had played Finland and Austria in the past. Finland we beat in Gstaad last summer and Austria we lost to in Norway, so we had something to prove.

Monday in Osaka

We have been in Osaka for 2 days...Day 1 was a whirlwind...mostly a travel day! That is Picture 1.
Picture 2 is the size of the doors here. Chad and I are giants!
Day 2 was great. Weather was nice, we practiced at the tournament site-took the subway a total of 1 minute-Pic 3, explored the city baseball team-the Hinshan Tigers (baseball is HUGE here!), walked through the mall, and ate some great food. Today, we woke, ate McD for breaky and practiced-Pic 4 is the 3 of us at the tourney site.........other than that it's the Office or reading a book. I bought 2 more episodes of 24 so we can at least finish season 1. It is really difficult to stop watching once you start. I have never been into a show this much, I guess it is just a good way to pass the time! Well, going to bed soon, qualification draw is tomorrow....I will let you know all know who we play.