Hola y d'a Bueno! Espere que usted tenga un a'o nuevo maravilloso.
Are you looking at the phrase and thinking "Wow! It's been awhile since high school Spanish class." Well, the La Salle field hockey team got a chance to brush up on their Spanish on their recent International trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The team arrived in Buenos Aires on January 4th, 2007 after a long thirteen-hour flight.
Our trip was organized through the company ZAG field hockey. ZAG field hockey is a fairly recent company who prides themselves on being different. ZAG aspires to provide not only superior field hockey instruction but also give the girls a chance to experience and immerge themselves in a culture that is much different then what they're exposed too daily. The girls were able to play with some of the top players in the world and broaden their horizons off the turf.
You won't believe all that we got to experience in our 7 day Argentine excursion. We stayed at the Ayres de Recoleta, which is considered one of the most chic neighborhoods in the country. We were in walking distances to the finest shops, entertainment, and dining that Argentina has to offer. One thing is certain; nobody could ever comment that they were hungry. The elaborate meals featuring world famous Argentine steak for both lunch and dinner kept our large group of 40 with full stomachs the entire time.
We were able to see the sights of Argentina by taking a boat cruise on the Tigre Delta, having a guided city tour, and spending a day the Estancia Santa Susana Ranch. . The Tigre is the delta region where the Parana River joins the Uruguay River. It's a web of forested islands separated by small rivers and streams advancing continuously in the Rio de la Plata estuary. We spent the afternoon having lunch on the Tigre Delta and taking pictures of all the beautiful houses and various structures on the delta. Our guided city tour of Buenos Aires was very informational and took us through what many consider, "the Paris of South America." Our day at the Estancia Santa Susana was a wonderful cultural experience. The girls enjoyed learning about the traditional Argentina Gaucho (cowboy life), horseback riding, dancing and of course an Argentine Asado (barbecue).
The field hockey the girls experienced was excellent. We played three games against local club teams. The competition was extraordinary featuring former and current National Team members. We also had the chance to watch the Argentina Women's National team inner squad scrimmage. The girls received two clinics for some of the top players in the world including Jorge Lombi, top scorer in the Sydney Olympic Games 2000, World Cup 2002, and Champions Trophy 2003 and was said to have invented the drag flick.
One of the most rewarding activities of the trip was our visit to the orphanage. The girls provided lunch, a field hockey clinic, games and activities for over 50 children in need. They taught them the basics of field hockey, set up relay races in the pool, and some of our girls even got lessons on futbol (America soccer) from some of children. Our team really took advantage of this opportunity and both the girls and the children had a positive impact on each other.
All in all, this was a wonderful experience and truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are so thankful to have shared it with all the parents and family members that joined us. Thanks to ZAG field hockey and our tour guides for an unforgettable international trip to Argentina.
