Happy in Herlev. Goodbye to Copenhagen

• Scott.wilson.pt's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Copenhagen

Trip Start Mar 27, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Apr 09, 2008 Next
Entry

  Copenhagen, Denmark
Monday, March 31, 2008

Today (Monday) was the first truly relaxed day of the trip. We had all day until about 4 pm to explore Copenhagen at last, and our travelers happily did it in groups of 4 or 5. The day was sunny and warm; jackets and sweaters came off. Yet Jennifer and I kept running into Nighthawks around the city, along the river, along winding Sorget Street, in cobblestone squares, in Freetown. Our groups came back excited and rewarded to have the chance to explore at an easy pace.

In the late afternoon we gathered up in full Nighthawk form (black jackets and warmup pants, sports bags, other bags full of gifts, athletic tape and medical supplies).

Our destination was the suburb of Herlev (pronounced HairLOO) where a tall Nordic guy named Soren Hedegaard met us at the train stop, got us on Bus 167 and met us again where we were dropped off at this huge sports complex into which three Port Townsend and Chimacum gyms could be placed side to side. And this is a rather modest club by Danish standards. It was a cavern. We were early so the kids played foosball and some pool, some napped.
When it came time to take the gym, Janine Doney handed out the gifts we are giving to fellow players to each of our girls. Then the two teams met at half court and the gifts were exchanged. Other teams have had something in return but Herlev was caught a little off guard. No matter. We have plenty - the notepads with the Northwest Nighthawk logos from Pat Kenna at the Printery, cinammon gum brought by Ellen Thomas, eagle pins put into the mix by Joanie Williams - and we are happy to unload the weight. Can't we give them a few more notepads? The coaches get very cool Nighthawk hats.
Game time: The Lady Nighthawks rolled over Herlev 69-12, and that was doing everything we could to put the brakes -- no fast break, 8 passes before a shot, etc. We used the latter part of the game to practice some plays and defense that we badly needed. Shelby, Kari and Britt are three bodies with the same mind when it comes to inside assists, and our guards are fast and tough. It's a joy to have these quick and dead-eye Garings on the team, shifting Sophie, Ilsa and Alyx to the wings.
The boy Nighthawks once again had a close first half, leading just 30-27, but ran off in the third period. That's the second time this has happened. They won 69-52. When I get more time I'll give some point totals, but I'll say here that Gifford, McClelland, Elan and Rory Kenna led the scoring charge. Casey is especially happy with the play of Walker and Jaydee Dodd, who are tearing it up on defense and hitting for points as well.
One of the coaches we played earlier, Rasmus Munck of Vaerlose, came to watch this game and to wish us all a safe trip. He, like other coaches, say someday perhaps they'll bring a team to Jefferson County. That's the Friendship part of the Friendship Tour.
No injuries or illness. Kari has some shoulder pain. We are icing it and held her out of most of the Herlev game to give her a break. Everyone is getting along well, (including the chaperones!).

In a few hours we climb on an SAS jet for the 62-minute hop up to Oslo. Waiting for us will be Robert Stenvik, the hardest working Norwegian in a very hard-working country, who has been arranging the home stays for our group of 28. His host families, the parents of basketball players, will become our homes for the next four nights. Everyone is excited and a little nervous, but all recognize this will the most special part of the Friendship Tour. We play our first games against Asker Tuesday evening.
The schedule in Asker is free time during the days and basketball in the evenings. We will spend one or two days in Oslo as soon as we figure out the trains.
Everyone is thinking of their folks back home as you know from the phone calls you are getting (I think Jan and Dave Garing lead in this category). Thanks for the replies to the blog, glad you are keeping up with us.
We haven't mastered the photo download technology but hope to pretty soon. In the meantime descriptive words will have to do, as inĘ

Share

Previous Entry Next Entry