Bowling Green State University Athletics
Van De Walle Blog -- July 13
July 15, 2007 | Volleyball
July 15, 2007
CHINA -
July 13
Today was similar to yesterday except we practiced from 11-
1pm. It went well. The two Dutch coaches, John and Ger, were there to
sit down and play against us. They made it really competitive and fun.
Then it was lunch at the sports center. Most of the players are having
trouble with the food here so they didn't eat much. It seems like
lunch is turning into toast and the fruit dipped into the chocolate
fountain! After lunch at 3:30 we played the Chinese in another
scrimmage. We played 5 sets again and this time I'm thrilled to say we
took game 4 from them. It was a huge win for us. This Chinese team is
really good! They all are technically sound and all of them hit the
ball so hard. In China we have been told that they have at least 40
sitting volleyball teams! They have a lot to choose from and we're
playing their best. We left the gym and headed to the hotel for dinner
and a night in. Tracy, our trainer, and I decided to venture out for
an hour after we ate. We walked around the hotel area and just looked
around. It's hard for me to really explain what it's like here. There
are SO many people! It's so interesting because it seems like
everywhere we look it's more of the same shop, store, etc. and I just
wonder how they make a living. On one street you can see the same
thing over and over.
I love the people here. They are so friendly and they do everything so meticulously and well. I am impressed with how hard they work at what they do. After our walk, Tracy and I decided to try a foot massage at the hotel. It was incredible. For 188 yuan ($17) we had a foot massage that lasted 80 minutes!! We both got to be in the room together.They sat us in a lazy boy-like chair and started us soaking our feet in this aromatic water and flower petals. They served us tea and sliced watermelon. Again, they were very kind and thoughtful. It was fun. Afterwards it was time for bed because tomorrow is an early day. We start the AOCVD Tournament. It's hard to believe we have been here 5 days.
