Day 2 Afternoon

This afternoon the kids spent entirely with their host families and then to session two of practice. The parents spent the day taking in sites around Dublin. Simply put, all I can say is WOW! Peter, you gave up this beautiful place for Florida? Another way of saying it is through the understated words of Cole Yonkee, when he said: "I could live here."

Attached are photos that show some of what we saw today. Dun Leoghaire is a quaint town that has a very interesting mix of homes, colors, streets, old and new. But its not until you leave the towns and wonder into the countryside that Ireland begins to reveal her true charm. Fields rich in green, golds, blues and purples - mountains on fire, and waterfalls that are breathtaking.

Johnnie Fox's Pub. Google it, as words and websites cannot begin to do it justice. Put it this way, I don't think there is another establishment of any kind that has more character. As we snaked through the various rooms, we saw people laughing, enjoying more than just each other's company, rather thoroughly taking in the environment.

Talk about a small world. As we made it back to the farthest room, a room empty except for the 18th century decor and a man and a woman sitting around a table lost in conversation. We sat there for quite a while before one of our Irish friends (Clare Byrne) said, I think thats...

I went over and asked the woman if she knew Maritza. She said yes. I then ask her if she knew Brooke. Again her answer was a pleasant "yes." My final question was: "Then I take it that you know Peter Banks pretty well?" She replied with a grin: "Yes I do, and you are?"

I told here my name, and she said, that she heard us talking, and picked up on our American accent right away, but did not pay attention to our Blue Wave shirts. Her name: Chantal Gibney, Irish Olympian, Florida Gator and "grandest" of all, a Blue Wave Alum. She swam for Peter for a year before going on to compete in the 2000 games. Talk about a small world!

Our evening ended by meeting the host families and seeing our kids at the social put on by the Trojan Swim Team. Friends, to say they made us feel welcome is to completely downplay the event. They truly made us feel like family, and they have embraced our kids. Coach Earl in his speech was in complete awe of what he called "the American work ethic that he saw in our swimmers." Coach Peter in his speech tied us all together when he talked about his roots in Ireland and his life's work in America. It is swimming that has brought us together in this culture exchange. The uniqueness in our countries are bonding through the sport in which our children compete.

Friends, I am beat again. A 5:30 practice this morning, 7:30 warm-ups in the morning for the meet, and lingering effects of jet lag. I see that Adam has just sent me 21 photos, but buddy...they need to wait until tomorrow to get them online. It is 12:20 AM and I am signing off. Good night everyone! I leave you with the most beautiful site that I saw today: the waterfalls at Powerscourt.