So we made it!!! We are finally here!
3/14/2011 9:44:57 AM | Field Hockey
Amy Kee packed it in her pockets. Haley Bomboy kept it in her wallet and Heather Susek filled her whole back-pack with it. I'm not talking about snacks for our 24 hours of travel on route to Argentina, although many M&M's were consumed. I'm talking about packing 'patience'. Syracuse Field Hockey, on embarking on our Spring Break tour to Argentina, was warned by Coach Ange Bradley to pack patience in our luggage.
Unlike the oil-slicked machine that is the Syracuse Field Hockey Program Argentina runs on a slightly different time schedule. Planes chill out on the runway for at least an hour before takeoff, and hang around in the sky for another hour before landing, for no discernable reason. But, let's be honest, we have a week to fill so time spent chilling is time well spent, if we are to truly engage in Argentinean Culture.
The team left Syracuse on schedule at 12pm on Friday and arrived in Buenos Ares, Argentina, at about 12 in the afternoon the next day. What lay within those 24 hours was a six hour bus trip to New York City, a first visit for some (or maybe just me) and an 11 hour flight. Myself, Amy, Leo, Laura and Rachel, by unknown means, managed to secure upgraded seats with maximum leg room. As everyone knows I have extremely long legs (this is a lie for those that don't know me) but I was glad for the room regardless. Those not so happy about our lucky breaks were grumbling team mates and two gentlemen behind Amy Kee who attempted to buy her seat from her. Amy Kee politely decline after Holly Cram, the latest addition to the Syracuse Field Hockey Staff, told her to stick with what she was given.
Steve Simpson, another recent addition to the staff, secured a position of snap-happy-token-male-tourist and proceeded to take photos of everyone looking somewhat less than their beautiful best throughout the flight. His camera will be getting stolen, and purged of evidence, when the opportunity presents itself.
Patience was unpacked from backpacks and wallets alike when it took the team about an hour and a half to get through customs. A sneaky charge for all Americans entering Argentina was neatly sidestepped by all the Europeans on the team. However, we had the excellent job of locating and getting everyone luggage off the baggage claim, which transpired into a heavy lifting session given that most girls on the team packed their dorm/south campus apartment, in their luggage.
After escaping customs, and meetings Martina Loncarica's family, we drove to our hotel in a wonder little bus, unpacked, and then set off to watch some club teams playing. We will be competing against these teams later in the week and we were planning an unofficial scouting report of the opposition. Unfortunately, we brought the weather with us, rain came pouring out the sky in true monsoon style, and the games were promptly cancelled.
The team, unaffected by the change in plans, went and ate empanadas, a local delicacy, which Martu ordered for the entire team by enthusiastically pointing an umbrella at the menu and then at the waiter, in a slightly threatening manner. We then went shopping because the team's unofficial motto is 'look good play good'. The only real purchase I saw was Liz McInerney, who bought what can only be described as a squishy tomato bouncy ball that can, seemingly, be thrown at someone's face safely.
Unsurprisingly no one donated their face for scientific research. After a yummy evening meal we went for a walk around the city. An attempt to take a group shot next to a local monument turned into an epic fail when Erika Wachter fell on her face on some concrete stairs. Most people managed not to laugh too loudly. Tomorrow we will be enjoying our first training session on sand turf and then watching some men's hockey. For those who are not aware men actually can play hockey and, in fact, are normally better than girls. We will be keeping you updated on our adventures over the course of the week! Thought for the day. Energy and patience conquer all things.
