randy.cruz@me.com Buxton/Rey
Zach and I begin our travels from my apartment to Newark airport preparing for a 7 1/2 hour flight to Frankfurt. Once we get to Frankfurt we will have a 9 hour layover before we fly to Teheran. We are use to the travel but this trip to Iran has an added anticipation as well as some uncertainty. At one point, we felt the trip would never happen but soon the ban was lifted and all countries came together in making the World Cup go on as scheduled with the 8 teams that have qualified to go. Throughout the week there was much apprehension from many of the national team members as to the safety of our trip. But as the world cup approached and every team member agreed to take part in this event knowing the policital impact between our countries. The excitement grows as team members begin to meet in the airport.
In Newark, Zach and I find Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Synder, Logan Stieber and James Green. The conversation moves quickly from hellos and how’s your family to Georgia, Azerbiajan and Russia who are in our pool; the other pool consist Turkey, India, Mongolia and Iran. The upcoming match ups are discussed and the the reality of how good of a team USA has is apparent.
We board and off to Frankfurt.
