Wizards in ArgentinaThe team was welcomed today by more precipitation than has come down during my entire month and a half stay in Buenos Aires. While rain is common, it generally lasts for only an hour or so. This morning, the rain came out before the sun and managed to stick around until mid-afternoon. It was pelting the city as the team pulled up to the hotel around 12:30 (8:30 a.m. Central Standard).
The seemingly endless stockpile of luggage took some time to unload, a task accomplished by hotel staff and first-year players (poor rookies). The team's hotel is in Buenos Aires' center, a few blocks from many of the capital's major landmarks. This collection includes the Obelisk, Cathedral and La Casa Rosada, the Argentine version of the U.S. White House, known to Madonna fans the world over as the location from where she sang "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" in the film Evita.
After unpacking their rooms, the players ate at the hotel. The meal consisted of grilled chicken, potatoes, salad and fruit. Not wanting to waste time, the coaches began official training in Argentina this afternoon with a visit to the gym. Afterwards, the players were given the rest of the day for much-needed rest and a chance to acclimate to the time change. Tomorrow, they will begin training at facilities outside of Buenos Aires proper.
La Casa Rosada
the Obelisk
Cathedral 
Nice!
ReplyDeleteWhat are the local football teams around there?
The two most well known clubs are Boca Juniors and River Plate. Their rivalry ranks as one of the most intense in the world. In fact, it ranked #1 in the 2004 British Observer’s “50 sporting things you must do before you die”. Both play in the Argentine Primera (First) División. Other First Division teams located within the city of Buenos Aires are Argentinos Juniors, San Lorenzo, Huracan, Velez Sarsfield. The First Division is comprised of twenty teams that go through the same relegation/promotion process commonly found in leagues throughout the world. In all, there are five league ‘levels’ within the Argentine Football Association.
ReplyDeleteThanx, Dustin.
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating.
Is it fall/winter there? Getting cold?
So who is the team playing down there?
ReplyDeleteIt is summer here. January and February are supposedly the hottest months of the year. It has been around 30 degrees celsius for a while now (mid-80's fahrenheit). Cooler temperatures would be more than welcome at this point. The rain helped keep things a little cooler today.
ReplyDeletewill the wizards play boca juniors or river plate while they are down there?
ReplyDeletethey played boca last year i think
ReplyDeleteplease don't do another blog entry with those italics. that was really hard to read.
ReplyDelete