Hello all!

Yesterday was a rest day for me and I did some sightseeing around Wiesbaden.

After lunch one of my teammates took me to a spa to get loosened up after yesterday's match.  The saunas at the spa were infused with different things like eucalyptus, peppermint and orange.  The Germans like to do these spa treatments regularly to help detox the body. This was a first for me and I am pretty sure I lost 10 pounds in sweat alone!  During our few hours there, we also spent some time in salt water pools and whirlpool baths.   I am now thoroughly detoxed and ready for Spain!

This morning, my friend Alex dropped me off at the airport in Frankfurt and we said our goodbyes.  It's always bittersweet when I leave Germany.  My friends there are so nice and treat me so well.  They act like I'm one of the family.  Alex and his wife and possibly a few of the others on the team said they would look into visiting Kansas City. I told them that we would show them a great time.

The flight to Barcelona was smooth and we had a great view of the Alps along the way.

For those of you that don't know, starting Friday, I will be playing on a U.S. 40 and over National Team that will be competing against 7 other countries.  The competition is called The Potter Cup.  We have a really good team this year and hopefully we can bring home the title.  

After unloading my gear into my hotel room, one of my teammates and I went to the Real Club De Polo to practice for an hour.  The temperature here in Spain is a little warmer than in Germany so the red clay courts are a little dryer and playing faster.  Another thing the Clay courts in Spain are famous for is a really high bounce after the ball hits the ground.  It definitely takes some getting used to.  It felt good to workout and we did some cross courts, some hi-lo drills, (you all that have been working with me should know that drill by now!), and eventually played a few tie-breakers.

Some of the members of the team arrived on late afternoon flights so my practice partner Agustin and I walked to get some dinner.  We both ordered a very traditional Spanish meal......Paella!  It was great,

Tomorrow, we will practice as a team and then do some sightseeing.  The draw comes out tomorrow night  and all of the teams in the event will meet for a special dinner at another famous tennis club in town.  

Talk to you tomorrow.