Captain's Log:
I have returned. I got back from Holland one week ago today, and now that I have some time, I will write about my exploits in that foreign land. This may take several posts, and for those of you who were reading last year's posts about the Germany trip, I will attempt to make it all of the way through this trip when describing my time overseas. This time I actually kept a log book of what happened when it was happening, so I will not forget much when relating it to you.
I left on a Thursday morning, so all night Wednesday, I was up packing. I did not sleep at all that night, because I wanted to conquer the jet lag before I got over there. My father drove me to the airport Thursday morning, threw me from his truck, and left me standing in front of the JetBlue Counter for check-ins--and that is where my story begins.
Day One - 19 July 07
Shortly after I arrived at the airport, I met the eleven athletes and two coaches who would be traveling overseas with me. We would travel JetBlue from Orlando to NY (JFK) and then Delta from NY to Amsterdam. The flight to NY left at 1020 and it was only a 2.5 hour flight, so that was easy enough, but when we got to JFK things got crazy. First of all, that airport is way too big. It took thirty minute, after we picked up our luggage, to make our way from one terminal to the security access point in another terminal. After another half hour waiting for the check-ins and security checks, we made our way to our next gate. There we would wait for another couple of hours for our flight due to leave at 1725. I got quite a bit of reading done this trip. The flight to Holland was seven hours, and when we got to Amsterdam it was 0720 local time (0120 EST). I got about six hours of sleep on the flight, and that would be sufficient enough to last me for almost the whole of the next day.
Day Two - 20 July 07
At the Amsterdam airport, we separated into different groups with athletes and coaches that had arrived from other parts of the US. Once our group was complete, we were bused to the Friendship Village. Now, the Friendship Village (FV) is the central hub for the entire tournament. The Opening Ceremonies are held there, as well as the big dinner ending the tournament, and it is where all of the athletes can gather at night for dinner throughout the week. It was a dreadful place to be when full. I was so sick of the FV by the time the end of the week rolled around, that that alone would have chased me out of Holland. Once at the FV, I ate breakfast and lunch, and then met up with the people traveling to my hotel. Upon arriving at the hotel, I checked into my room, which I had to myself all week. Orientation was at 1800 in the conference room of the hotel. I made my way down at 1755 to meet everyone for dinner, and I came in contact with the Athletic Director for our hotel first. He told me to wait another 20 minutes in my room, because they were sorting out something or other and I needn't be down yet. So I went back upstairs and laid down for a moment. Two hours later I wake up and look at my clock. I quickly make my way downstairs for the meeting, which by now is well over--as is dinner. I find out where my team is so that I can introduce myself and get to know everyone. The AD was not too pleased with me that night. Once I found my team, I got the introductions over with and I proceeded to cover the rules of the hotel and the tournament with my players. After our short meeting, I went upstairs, ran bed checks (to make sure all of the players were in their correct rooms), and then went to bed. Not a great start for me on this trip, but after meeting my team and learning that I had responsible young people, I knew that the week would turn out all right in the end.
***
That is all for today. That second day took quite a bit of telling. The next time I post, it will be days three and four.
In other news, I finished Harry Potter 7 shortly after its release (that is the official story; for more information about the date of completion, email me).
Also, my birthday occurred since the last time I wrote, and it was awesome. 22 years old.
Later,
Lorimer
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