Greg has his semi-final match this morning against the #1 seed from the UK, David Lazarus - a win would assure him a silver or gold medal - a loss a chance for a bronze if he were to win the match between the loser of the other semi-final match. It will be extremely tough as all remaining players are national or pan-am champions. We wish him the best of luck!
Yesterday Rachel had the day off from play so we picked her up to cheer on Greg with us. He won his match 3-0 and we were free to enjoy lunch as a family at the old port of Tel Aviv that has been converted into shopping and restaurants. We decided to try a fish restaurant recommended to us and ordered the local sea bream, a trout-like fish that was delicious. The meal started with a sampling of salads, 16 to be exact, that come with each main course. After lunch Greg and Bex walked back to the hotel for a nap and Rach and I fast-walked thru some shopping areas of Tel Aviv and then back via the beach, a 3 mile excursion that left my legs sore and both of us dripping with sweat.
By the end of the afternoon of schvitzing my swearing-off of Tel Aviv taxis (too many stories to tell as to why) wore off and I was ready to jump into a cab to the Masters Squash dinner hosted by Bank HaPaolim, a sponsor of the games. Speeches of thanx and a few off color jokes by some senior players were shared then a meal and off again to take Rach back to her team. There is so much to see and do and the competitors don't get much free time to enjoy. I guess it means we'll just have to come back again. I think Bex and I have it grand, watching squash now and then and enjoying a more leisurely pace of exploring, although we do miss sharing our free time here with our family athletes.
I've been told today is Rach's last day of competition and we think Greg has 1 more. Then Rach has a tour (day training w/the Israeli Army?) and party with the Juniors and we end with a ceremony and dinner all together, if I'm not mistaken, after which Rach finally joins us for good and we fly to Petra via Eilat. Only 1 more day to hang laundry on the balcony to dry. Yippee!
Not sure what Bex and I will do today, maybe back to Nechalat Benyamin to shop for Rach and her friends back home as she hasn't had the free time on the market days to do that and then possibly catching her afternoon match. Greg will most likely cheer Rach on after his match and join us for dinner back in Tel Aviv.
Off for a coffee and a workout. We have finally made the adjustment to Tel Aviv time, to bed at midnight and sleeping in, although our late is still not their late. We'll keep you posted on competition results. Keep your fingers crossed!
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