Hi to all,

Just a quick note to let you know that we landed safely in Costa Rica and are now all checked in to our hotel (Hotel Irazu/Best Western).  The property looks very nice at first glance although we haven't had much time to explore it.  Two representatives (Lily and Gaby) from our tour company were waiting for us at the airport and a third (Randall) met us at the hotel.  I got a nice first impression from meeting them and feel like they will work hard to make this the best trip possible. 

Tomorrow is an early start as we have breakfast, an orientation meeting with our tour company, and our first practice.  We'll practice on the court where we will eventually play the Costa Rica national team toward the end of our trip.  Our first match is also tomorrow against a first division club that is about a 25 minute drive away. 

There's already been a lot of smiling, laughing, and goofiness from this group and I can tell they are excited that after all the planning we are finally here.  The picture I attached is from our first bus ride in Costa Rica ... just after we learned a key Costa Rican phrase: Pura Vida!

Phil

(Head Coach)