SECOND DAY’S ADVENTURE AT THE WBF

My best news of the day so far was not that USA 1 beat the Dutch handily and both our pairs played well – but that my electric scooter finally arrived.  This hotel is a maze of corridors and I immediately saw I could not negotiate the halls on a regular basis on foot, so I ordered (a bit belatedly) a scooter from my new best friends, charming volunteers Hanakee Grufman and her cohort Marie who, between the two, arranged for the ordering, payment, paperwork and delivery of my welcome vehicle.   Unfortunately, I did ask about the rental when we arrived last Wednesday and was told it was illegal in the hotel.   Well, I’ve been renting them for the last three years and should have suspected something was amiss.   The lady at the desk thought I was alluding to a motorcycle-type scooter and a few days after speaking to someone else, the light dawned and it was taken care of.    It’s been in my possession for two hours now and haven’t even run over anyone yet (friend or foe).   But remember the adage about women drivers!

The buffets continue to be superb (both morning and lunch) and since Bobby is off for the second session (against Bulgaria), he has some time to rest.  It seems we’re on the go 24/7 and not yet acclimated to this change of time nonsense (and we’ve been here 6 days now).  Some of the girls rented cars so it’s off to the shops they go and all very graciously ask if we need anything.   The main request is good old fashioned H2O – because they either have sparkling water or bottles of regular water at exorbitant prices at the hotel.   A large bottle of water for a party of four (with two mere small glasses each) was $10 at the restaurant – over 6 Euros.  Things we take for granted at home are sometimes considered luxuries abroad.

Time to catch some shuteye before the start of Bobby’s final session of the day.   They are holding their own – somewhere above the middle of the pack – but there’s a long way to go with 22 teams entered (in each event – Bermuda Bowl, D’Orsi Senior Bowl and the Venice Cup –  therefore, 21 total matches for each group.   Will keep you posted as we get more definitive information.  They are also holding the 8th Transnational Open teams where partnerships know no borders.