Commonwealth Championships

BRONZE MEDAL....BOOYA!!!!!!! So just back last night from Belfast and good times all around. It all started when I was waiting in line at the AirCanada check in last saturday night. I joined the back of the line at 8:35pm with six check-in attendants. By 9:45pm I was next in line and there was only one attendant left...the five others, during that 1 hr and 10 min., were fired on the spot. I can't tell you about the anger in that queue that night....heckles, bottle throwing, police, threats of suing coming from the back of the line...it was pretty funny. Don't know how it ended up, but thanks to my parents for dropping me off earlier then usual, even though I didn't feel the need!

So Belfast, smaller than I expected and populated with only 280,000, was a neat little city similar to those that I've visited in England and Scotland. I had a driver waiting for me when I arrived at the airport to take me to the hotel. He was in a pleasant mood, considering that I was the second of 10 pick ups he had to make that day. We had a nice chat as he listed some of the city's must see's while giving me the run around of what and what not to expect. Check out this first photo of political propaganda that tatoos nearly every bare city wall space around Belfast. What a great way of greeting tourists....images of guns and iron fists, Welcome to Belfast buddy!!!

Usually, when we travel the first few days are taken up by sleeping and eating, eating and sleeping. And in between, trying to get around the city to see some of the sites. Tuesday, our day off, we went around to the Belfast City Hall. You couldn't miss it coming into the city because it was probably one of the biggest and most impressive buildings there. The free tour sounded like a great idea so Kyle and I (my canadian team mate) signed up in the main hall and waited for the guide. Opening its doors in 1906, it ran a price tag of only 30,000 pounds. Made up of four types of lavish marble, three from Italy and one from Greece, the main entrance and staircase are most impressive in design and size. The dome rises to 53 metres and is similar to that of St. Paul's Cathedral in London...I'm sure some of you have seen that one. The Belfast City Council sits in the Chamber on the first working day of each month, with 51 members its a great privilage that the building is still in full working force. There's a grand reception and banqueting hall that fits four hundred that's filled with light from the massive stained glass windows that fortunately survived WWII. A must see for anyone visiting Belfast....it was designed by the same man who designed the Titanic, also built in the famous Shipyards of Belfast....who's name has since left me, so if anyone does the research and refreshes my memory there's a prize for you!!!! Check out the pics.

To our luck, eating in pubs was less expensive than restaurants. We all know how pricey it is living and traveling in the UK, and N. Ireland was no exception. Actually, the cheapest thing you could get on a menu was a pint of beer, less than 3 pound, and well worth it. The photo here, was the local pub (actually, the closest one to our hotel because there was a pub on every corner) which we found ourselves in every night. Pretty classic, with the low ceilings and barrels of beer staked everywhere. Funny, there's a rule of 'NO Sport Team Jersey's Allowed' in the pubs because of the fights that would break out... I guess a good rule by the owners if they didn't want a destroyed bar every weekend!! Oh ya, I think I saw at least a dozen churches while I was walking around the block of the hotel....so I had to take a photo of at least one!

Wednesday was competition day. An eleven o'clock start time was listed but the first round didn't get going for about an hour later, how typical. The venue was set up superbly. In a huge exhibition type facility, it actually kind of looked like a barn from outside...and the inside, made you think that there would be farmers walking around with cows on ropes auctioning them off!!, we had some laughs about that! But seriously, I wish the pictures were not so fuzzy, becuase it was impressive to see...the set up, the flags, the pistes and colours.

I had a great day of fencing. My focus was on, my physical was on, it was all working for me...except for my luck in the semi-final round. But all in all, I went with hardware in mind and came back with hardware. It was presented to me by the President of the FIE (International Fencing Federation) who's presence was a surprise. A man with so much power in European sport, he was ushered in by five body guards and the paparozzi...so it was a privilage for me. A bottle of Irish Cream Whiskey and a bouquet of flowers (which weren't allowed on the plan) were a part of the winnings. The medal podium was swamped with photographers and press, and I was fortunate to get the contact of one of them who is sending me A-plus photo's which I will post in the next coming weeks. These ones just suck, so please bare with me.
Anyways, it was a great day and I am very pleased with the result. Its pretty neat when your on a program that has its peaks and lows. For example, this was a peak tournament for me, so the morning of I felt so ready (even a little nervous) and the total outcome was even better. The effort and planning all comes together and you do things that you really don't think you can. My legs were firering on all pistons and felt amazing, and my focus was there the entire day. Man I love it.
There was also a team match planned for three days later, but the third member of our team has recently quit the sport to pursue more schooling in hopes to be an astronaut....and our Federation decided not to send anyone else...?????? typical politics that I will never understand.

That night, we ended up out with the British and Scottish Teams for drinks. They do like to drink but, of course, I held my own and made it through to the next morning when I went straight to the airport for an 8am flight. The only problem was the transfer at Heathrow where I had to wake up and change planes. But, made it home alive and in one piece. Now I have two weeks off to rest and regroup before training starts for Nationals in December. I'll let you know when the good photo's come in. Later!