Monday 9th continued.

Just in case anyone is still reading I am going to add a few pictures from our last days in Europe. We are now home but I took some pictures on my camera which I couldn't upload while we were away so I will throw in a couple of those too. It was a wonderful trip and I am so happy I got to be along and share the experience with a great group of people. Monday morning we started by taking pictures outside our Austrian hotel of the Vilcu portion of the Canadian team with all their hardware from the trip.

We headed to the train station to catch our train back to Zurich. This time we had to change trains several times - sometimes with little time to spare. An interesting experience with nine people and lots of luggage! But we all made it. Zurich train station is an interesting place - all open to the streets rather than contained like most stations I have been in. The next adventure was the tram to our hotel. I am just glad that there were helpful people everywhere and many spoke English. This morning most of the team were wearing their Team Canada jackets so we were asked several times about why we were there. We got to our hotel and then headed back out to find something to eat. We hoped to be able to see a little of Zurich while we were there. We headed downtown to the older section of town. The boys finally got another hamburger. This didn't seem to be a common item on the Austrian menus.

We wandered a little. Caught a cable car up the very steep side of mountain.

The view over Zurich was great.

We walked along the river a little.

We also rode the trams around to see a little more of Zurich. This was waiting for a tram on what we named "tram island" A spot where several trams passed on all sides of this little piece of sidewalk.

Home to Regina

We arrived safely in Regina to a welcoming party. 

Monday

Last day in Europe. Took the train to Zurich.

 Outside our hotel in Bregenz. 

Picnic in our room in Zurich. 

Sunday - Day 2 of competition

Ok it has only taken me this long to realize that even though I don't have Internet through the day, I can write this in draft and then publish once I get to the hotel. I may be able to keep track!

They now have ropes around the ring ready for sparring.

The team needs to see a Medic this morning for some kind of medical.

I think first up are Dena, Michelle and Taryn.s

Some of the team with the coach getting ready to go.

Billy sparring.

James sparring. 

Teresa sparring.

Saturday continued

Well I think Team Canada had a great day, some will have very heavy suitcases with all their medals.   I know I will never be able to get all the medals and classes right so you will have to wait to hear that from the competitors.  I will say all the Canadian competitors competed today and we heard O Canada at least ten times.  Way to go athletes!  I imagine we may hear it again tomorrow when the sparring starts.  By the time all the medals were handed out it was late afternoon so we headed back into town.  Andrei, James and Billy wanted to go out on the paddle boats.  So they did, cooling off again with a swim in the lake from the boat. 

We had supper at a Greek restaurant (Clare, Michele, Stu and I) while the boys ate across the parking lot at a "burger wagon" so Billy could get a hamburger (we haven't seen them on any menus)

Saturday. Day I of competition.

Many medals won by Team Canada. Here is James with his.  Watch this space. 

Friday

Again I can only share what I was involved with. We headed by bus to the sports hall in time to watch some of the demonstration sports. It also gave the boys some time to practice their Katas (sp??). The team coach Ken was there to give then some pointers. Lunch was there at the sports arena. I am used to dance competitions in Saskatchewan where canteen fare is taco in a bag and TCBY frozen yogurt. It was neat to see many similarities but they had Gulash soup which was enjoyed by several. Our next adventure was to catch the bus back to the hotel and regroup (I understand it may have been an interesting bus ride for some). Clare, Billy, Andrei and I headed to the gondola. At the top we saw wonderful views out over three countries, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. It was a little misty so they view was not as clear as it might have been. There was also an animal park with alpine animals and an Eagle sanctuary. Supper tonight was with the whole Team Canada and extras. The final uniforms had arrived and were delivered just in time for the opening ceremonies. The team looked great in their red, white and black.  I think a few of them may have been teary eyed as they played the Canadian anthem as they came into the venue. 

One of the demonstration events. 

Riding in the gondola. 

Proof that I am in fact along!

 I

Wildlife on the mountain. 

Team Canada