We have a free day today. The wives of Doc Lucky and Manager Samuel Sr. (Jacquie and Zamarit) plan a trip to Valencia. Cost is always a consideration so we look for an inexpensive excursion.
After breakfast, the team walks 7 blocks to the train station. Five euros each buys a ticket to Valencia. We arrive and walk two blocks to the Bull Fight Stadium and Museum. The stadium is no longer used for bull fights but it's well preserved. We pay one Euro each which gains access to the stadium and the small adjacent museum.
We walk onto the sand of the arena, stand in the middle and imagine the bull and the matador going at it. I root for the bull. After pictures are taken we walk into the small museum. It's filled with photos of famous Matadors, costumes and a stuffed bull. A video is shown in a small room and several of our party go in to watch. I watch for a few minutes and leave before they kill the suffering and tortured bull.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we gather up and walk to Valencia Cathedral. It's magnificent. To sit in the pews would cost four euros but to walk into the foyer is free. There's a stairway to the top of the cathedral tower. For two euros, you can climb 207 steps to the top. Tom, Tristan, Samuel, Che, and Peter go with me and we're panting and complaining because the steps are narrow, steep and hazardous. The climb to the top is worth it. A magnificent 360 view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea in the distant horizon. The climb down is easy.
Zamarit reminds me that the nearby stores are the best place to buy a nice gift for my wife Hilarie. I walk into a boutique and see porcelain figurines and know exactly which one she would like. I'm happy now because I know I'm not going home empty handed. I remind Coach Tom Brown to get something for VY, his girlfriend. We walk through the city center and past the fountain in the plaza. Gelato, lots of water are consumed.
It's hot and the sun blazes. We head back to the train station for the scheduled ride back to Castellón. There are a few who want to see a nearby castle but it's late and I know we don't have time and energy to add this to our day. I tell our group no, and by the time we get back to the hotel, we know it's the only decision that could have been made.
After breakfast, the team walks 7 blocks to the train station. Five euros each buys a ticket to Valencia. We arrive and walk two blocks to the Bull Fight Stadium and Museum. The stadium is no longer used for bull fights but it's well preserved. We pay one Euro each which gains access to the stadium and the small adjacent museum.
We walk onto the sand of the arena, stand in the middle and imagine the bull and the matador going at it. I root for the bull. After pictures are taken we walk into the small museum. It's filled with photos of famous Matadors, costumes and a stuffed bull. A video is shown in a small room and several of our party go in to watch. I watch for a few minutes and leave before they kill the suffering and tortured bull.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we gather up and walk to Valencia Cathedral. It's magnificent. To sit in the pews would cost four euros but to walk into the foyer is free. There's a stairway to the top of the cathedral tower. For two euros, you can climb 207 steps to the top. Tom, Tristan, Samuel, Che, and Peter go with me and we're panting and complaining because the steps are narrow, steep and hazardous. The climb to the top is worth it. A magnificent 360 view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea in the distant horizon. The climb down is easy.
Zamarit reminds me that the nearby stores are the best place to buy a nice gift for my wife Hilarie. I walk into a boutique and see porcelain figurines and know exactly which one she would like. I'm happy now because I know I'm not going home empty handed. I remind Coach Tom Brown to get something for VY, his girlfriend. We walk through the city center and past the fountain in the plaza. Gelato, lots of water are consumed.
It's hot and the sun blazes. We head back to the train station for the scheduled ride back to Castellón. There are a few who want to see a nearby castle but it's late and I know we don't have time and energy to add this to our day. I tell our group no, and by the time we get back to the hotel, we know it's the only decision that could have been made.
We hold a pre game meeting in the mezzanine before dinner. I announce a new line up and the game plan. I call out each player for the mistakes they have made and ask them to embrace the game plan and play their role in our game tomorrow. I ask each player what they will bring tomorrow to this important game. Emotions are high as they tell each other how they will play and what they will accomplish in this knockout round game.
It's our very best team meeting since our arrival ten days ago. We're ready for this game.
I tell the team that Coach Tom Brown will not be at our game tomorrow. He leaves for London early tomorrow to see his parents. He has been invaluable to us and the team applauds loudly, cheer and hug him one last time. We break for dinner. I sit with Tom and we quietly discuss a few last details about the game plan. I will miss him very much.
We hope you're with us in spirit from across the sea.
It's our very best team meeting since our arrival ten days ago. We're ready for this game.
I tell the team that Coach Tom Brown will not be at our game tomorrow. He leaves for London early tomorrow to see his parents. He has been invaluable to us and the team applauds loudly, cheer and hug him one last time. We break for dinner. I sit with Tom and we quietly discuss a few last details about the game plan. I will miss him very much.
We hope you're with us in spirit from across the sea.