Well, not quite Paris, but Montreal seems to be good practice! I am here to watch and recruit the 2013 Canadian Junior Championships! My high school french is helping a little, but thank goodness most people seem to be amazingly bilingual (Bilingual is Beautiful...right Paula??) The only hiccup was the check-out person at the Wal-Mart where I was loading up on snacks for the weekend. She was trying to ask me something about my sour worms, but my rusty french didn't understand a lick of it. Just my luck she was probably telling me I could get an even bigger bag for the same price...but my wedding dress will probably be thankful I didn't understand! :)
On a similar note, French-Canadians do not seem to enjoy the same delicacies as I do...Dr. Pepper, Blueberry Pop Tarts and Tuna To Go were no go's at TWO grocery stores. I did, however, get to feel like a freshman on my first travel trip again where I just wandered the isles of the grocery store, knowing I should get something, but being VERY indecisive about what that something is. Ahhh...memories...
Other than that, I have settled in and am ready to watch some great track and field action over the next two and a half days. I am very excited that one of my favorite coaches in the biz, Andrea Grove-McDonough will be here tonight! She is coaching one of her juniors and will probably be eye balling all the same kids I am...let the recruiting battles begin!!
A few early observations/tips (mostly reminders to myself for future trips, but maybe someone else will think they are interesting/useful):
1. Get to the meet early! It takes a session to get your bearings. This morning I watched some riveting qualifying heats of some pretty slow races, but I figured out where the heck the track was, saw the "interesting" seating arrangements and developed a plan for watching/filming the events I really need to pay attention to.
2. Try to find heat sheets in advance. Tried my best before I left, and then when I arrived a "printer malfunction" means no heat sheets at the track. I do have descending order lists, but not quite as helpful as a good ol' heat sheet would be.
3. DO NOT FORGET YOUR SUNGLASSES....rookie mistake :-/
4. Put your phone on "airplane mode" that way no accidental million dollar phone bills for the University, but I can still iMessage/Tweet/FB when I have wireless access. Brilliant! (thanks, Chris!)
Time to eat some of those tasty snacks and then head back to the track for the 1500 semi's and the STEEPLE :):)
Gotta Run!
Hop
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