THE DAY BETWEEN

Old San Juan is really a charming city; lovely. When one reads tourist literature or novels where James Bond or Jason Bourne chase down really bad people old, elegant cities are always referred to as "charming", "lovely", quaint with narrow, cobblestone streets winding through the narrow canyons of old buildings with decks festooned with hanging flower baskets, dangling off cantilevered wrought-iron balconies..." In Old San Juan it is actually true.

Because of our placing first in our pool we have a direct passage to the semifinals (vs. a very quick Puerto Rican team) we had a day off. We had practice of course, featuring team athletic trainer, Aaron Brock leading a variety of interesting core exercises. Add music and a whiny voice and he could have a television fitness show. Fortunately, Aaron's voice is more Johnny Cash than Richard Simmons including cultivating a scruffy beard that deep woods timber cruisers favor. Hence, the troops bend to his will.

On this day, many Puerto Ricans were striking and protesting. I heard estimates from 23,000 people to 400,000 civil servants recently lost their jobs during this slow economic time. Even the low ball is a high number. Many families where both the husband and wife were civil servants - thus immediately lost all aspects of income. These folks are not happy.  Basically the whole island was shut down for the day while an estimated 100,000 people rallied in protest in a large area in the center of the city. We are in Old Town so we weren't near the gathering. However, we did see the results as the place was like most downtowns on a Christmas morning: almost deserted - except for the police at every corner.

After practice and lunch I went for a long walk around the old town. It used to be a walled city including a magnificent fort, which is on the World Heritage Site list along with the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, and Egyptian pyramids. There is a trail that circumvents the walled city and fort. The first day we arrived Coaches Knipe, Sato, and I explored the fort itself. 

As I traipsed along, reading the historical signs, marveling on what humans can build without technology and plenty of time, I noticed that I was virtually alone. No one was around. Did I not hear a siren warning of an inbound hurricane or air strike? Then I realized that it was the result of the other strike. My selfish thought was: Mine! All mine!

It took 400 + years to build. It was used through World War II. It was attacked a total of 4 times in that span, confirming the military adage of hurry up and wait. I love history. It always amazing to me what people can build under any and all conditions. Then it discourages me how people spend so much energy on destroying things and their own kind.  The endless conflict...

While I was heading back in town through those beautiful, narrow streets, closely bordered by buildings painted in fruit-colored pastels, I pondered the cobblestones, shiny and slick from the daily afternoon shower. In this day and age of attention to the endless pages of statistics conjured up by Data Volley, I wondered how many cobblestones there were in San Juan Streets and where they would be in the World Ranking of Towns with Cobblestone Streets. After counting 1.25 million I terminated my hand count. I had just covered two streets and got bored and stopped and thought about cobblestones.

First: I saw no potholes. The roads were a bit bumpy and warped, but no pits. Cobblestones are serious road-making material. They were originally crafted out of stones from river bottoms. Besides used for building roads, they were ballast in sailing ships.

Second: Who put them there? There were no pavement-laying machines. These babies were hand planted one by one. Next time you drive or walk on cobblestones consider that. It is said sometimes that a horse that can go hard for a long time has good bottom. These cobblestones have great bottom.

Third: I get to coach volleyball and have the honor to be associated with the U.S. Men's Volleyball Team and don't have to bend over, put in heavy cobblestones one by one in hot, stifling weather. I would love to have their resiliency and durability, however.

 * * * *

Back to volleyball. I can confirm this is a special group of young men. They are professional and serious about everything they do. Every contact matters whether it is early in a pepper activity or a swing for match point. They deeply care about each other. They demand excellence from themselves and teammates that is all based on respect. They respect all opponents. Even if they know they likely will decimate a lesser foe, they prepare as if they are a threat. If the U.S. had to tee it up against Meadowdale High School, which doesn't even have a boys team, they would prepare to be their best. 

We go against Puerto Rico tonight in their house. They are quick and very motivated. They beat the USA in the World Cup a couple of years ago. It will be a noisy chaotic place. Coach Knipe will have to use sign language to communicate during time outs. It will be a fun, rousing affair.

We are prepared.

The winner will face the winner of the other semifinal between Cuba and Canada for all the marbles and a ticket to the Grand Champions Cup in Japan next month. Most are counting Canada out against Cuba. It is possible they are exhausted from their last two efforts. Cuba would do well not to take our Northern brethren lightly. They are a team to watch in the future.

Oddly enough I have babbled and digressed. Hey! It was a day off!

More later,

NEV