| Jeremiah Boswell begins season on a new team |
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"We all know the combination of excitement and dread
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| The gyms here are not enormous arenas, but the fans fill the seats and create a ruckus environment nevertheless. |
It was a relief to find a pretty nice apartment, but perhaps more pleasing was the already stocked refrigerator. This somehow managed to get me excited about the season ... and eating.
Undoubtedly, every team in the world manages to schedule a practice beginning two hours after I arrive. So in typical fashion, the alertness attained from being in a new place faded exactly when it was time to go to the gym.
We all know the combination of excitement and dread that the pre-season tends to arouse. We are excited that the season is near and we are geared up for that opening tip-off. Yet there is often a hint of dread as the memories of preseason’s past trickle into our minds all too vividly, reminding us of the exhaustion of running, running, running.
For our team, the preseason meant early morning jogs to the track, followed by footwork drills, sprints, and a great variety of push-ups, sit-ups and other muscle-numbing exercises.
We usually worked up quite an appetite and would eat lunch as a team. Next, we trudged to our apartments for some much needed rest. Practices on the court began in the evening and consisted of high intensity drills running the gamut from one-on-one to defensive shell. As the days turn into weeks, and fatigue turned into exhaustion, coach decided we should spend some time together off the court.
A beautiful boat ride on Lake Geneva was just what the doctor ordered. We began in the city of Nyon and headed south to Geneva as we spent quality time laughing and hanging out together. The team’s board members had arranged the outing and it also allowed the chance to mingle with them. Along the ride, we were repeatedly impressed by the Swiss Alps and the powerful Mont Blanc. And at the sight of the signature fountain in downtown Geneva, we felt a warm welcome to the city we currently call home.
In a blink, the pre-season was complete and the real deal began. And as expected, I learned a few things about Switzerland on our first road trip.
The bus ride again included some amazing views of the lake, the Alps and vineyards. We were leaving Geneva, the French-speaking portion of the country, and going to Fribourg in the German-speaking region. The next week, we would play in Vacallo, which is in the Italian-speaking region, so I brushed up on my non-existent French, German, and Italian.
The game was a typical tough road game against a team that is expected to win the league. We battled hard and fought through the first game jitters to find ourselves down by two points after the first quarter.
The gyms here are not enormous arenas, but the fans fill the seats and create a ruckus environment nonetheless. Play calls are commonly engulfed by the sound of beating drums, foghorns or chants. I later learned that the cash bar at every game, from which you can still see the court, might have aided their “spirits.”
We were never able to gain the momentum and went on to lose, and start the season 0–1. What I did not know was that my learning for the day was not over.
First of all, immediately after the game, the teams were lined up and they presented a player of the game award for both teams. After a few games, I learned that these awards can range from a bottle of champagne to random hair products.
Another big surprise was the Swiss McDonald’s experience. As we know, international McDonald’s are not the same as in America. With 20 Swiss Francs (equivalent to $20) provided by the team, I planned to eat simply (eat healthier when I got home) and save some money. I should not have planned.
There is no “dollar menu” and in fact, there is nothing that would even qualify for a “three, four or five dollar menu.” To get a standard value meal (a burger of some sort, a drink and fries), it costs about $13! The Big Mac alone costs $6.
However, the burger choices were entertainingly unique. Since we were near Germany, they offered a McRosti, which was a burger that contained a thick layer of potatoes and clearly “Germanized” the meal. Not to be outdone, the Swiss presented an equally distinctive option and was perhaps my favorite choice. I am being serious when I tell you, they serve a McFondue burger!
Giving in to the temptation of trying new things, I went for the McFlurry. It was no ordinary McFlurry though. It was made with the European Magnum ice cream and chocolate brand. Delicious!
My total was $17 and thousands of calories, but it was a one-time monetary and dietary splurge that is all a part of the journey of Switzerland.
| Big Canoe Living Photo Gallery March 2010 |
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