I don't tweet or facebook (often), but I'll try my best to provide daily updates. Please forgive me if I skip a day or two or if my posts become shorter/lazier over time.
Well, I arrived safely in Tel Aviv yesterday. My flight from NYC was delayed several hours so I didnt arrive until around 5:30 PM local time. Flight was good though. Slept and then watched Tropic Thunder - funny. Didnt eat anything on flight. I sat in exit row so lots of leg room.
The airport in TA is so much bigger and more modern than my last visit (2001). The Maccabi organization was set up there and did a great job getting me settled with credentials and transportation. There was a team training in Haifa at 7:30 pm, so I convinced the Maccabi folks to take me straight to the field from the airport. Lets just say that I have had better ideas in my life.
The driver spoke no english, which was not a big issue. We went past TA, Netanya, Hadera, etc. and then the Mediterranean as we entered Haifa. I defintely felt a pump of adrenaline being back in Israel.
Unfortunately, the driver didnt know where he was going once we got to Haifa (about 75 mins away from airport). We drove in circles and side streets for a while as night quickly fell. Finally we found the field, which was in a stadium built into the side of the mountain.
I ran onto the field, now feeling the effects of the day's journey. Everyone seemed happy to see me and I was happy to see the guys. I was immediately thrust into a 7v7 half field match. The field was an immaculate grass pitch, which is a nice luxury.
One thing I have discovered as I have become older is that I cannot see anything without my glasses after 8:00 pm, especially on a soccer field. My eyes are just too tired. Nevertheless, I think I was able to get through it. I got 20 mins of training in before practice ended and we took a chartered bus back to the hotel.
At the hotel I ran up to my room and quickly changed for dinner in the hotel. We are at the Dan Hotel and it is very nice albeit about 25 years outdated. All meals are included and buffet style and there is a ton of food, so that is good. I hung out with the guys but kept dinner brief and then went back to my room to unpack, shower and go to sleep (they use those euro hand held showers - I like those).
I was able to sleep from 10:45 or so until 5:00 am... I think that is pretty good for my first night. I had an odd dream that I was at my Bar Mitzvah - but it wasnt my actual Bar Mitzvah from years ago, this one was somewhere else with different folks. I gave a speech so touching that it brought people to tears. I did a great job. Then all of a sudden my mother has this irrational outburst at my father. Go figure.
Well, I just opened up the breakfast buffet at 6:15 and ended up eating with Elliot Koolik, one of my teammates and a great guy. We have training this morning from 10 - 11:30. I let you know how it goes.
Stay tuned for more. Hopefully these posts will get interesting!
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