Day 11

Today had to be the best day of our entire trip. Reason being because we went to the BEACH! (but sadly our last full day in brazil) We woke up at 6:45, ate breakfast at 7:00 and were off to Leblon beach at 7:30. There was not a cloud in sight! Most of the girls started tanning at 8:00, Brooke, Jackie and Cristina went for a little run. On their “little” run they noticed some volleyball up the beach. Later on Brooke, Mike, Jelly and Jackie went to go check it out. It was a three time world champion training with her partner (1 u19 world championship and 2 u21 world championships). Her name was Barbara (20 years old) training with her partner Viviane (age 28 years old) and they were both very fit. Their practice was two players to six coaches. We watched the rest of their practice in pure amazement of their skill (it was at that moment that Mike and Jackie decided we are coming back in December to train for beach). During one of their water breaks we introduced ourselves, and we asked what their training schedule was like. This team trains every day from 8:30 to 10:30, than they follow practices with an intense conditioning circuit and then they go to the gym with their trainer. We are going back to watch them practice again tomorrow morning. (Might I add that Brooke and Jackie beat Mike and Jelly in actual beach volleyball 21 to 15)… the court might have been 9 by 8 but it was still on real sand therefore real beach volleyball!!!

Other than the large amounts of beach volleyball, we also went into the ocean with MASSIVE waves, which completely worked every one of our girls. Susie got a bleeding nose, and Cheryl was leaking salt water out of her nose for hours. But none the less it was a good time. Mike saw a MASSIVE crab in the surf! (so he claims…)

We went to another steak house tonight that was basically in another country because it was so far away. But the food was fantastic and we were not allowed dessert. And we are now very full!

It is bedtime now… 2 more sleeps till we are home with family. You are all greatly missed ( that means you mama and papa Tait!)

PS. dad you are welcome to come to BEACH volleyball Brazil 2008 coming this December! I will be there…

PPS…LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD… Jenny and Brian!

Tait out!


Jakie