We've landed in Germany!

Well, after a whirlwind of events... we have landed in Germany and are settling into our apartment in Hagen.

On Wednesday, John signed a contract to play for Phoenix Hagen, a young team in first division Germany. Thursday morning we got our plane tickets to leave that night! After a layover in Chicago, Copenhagen, and waiting a hour for someone to pick us up in Dusseldorf, we finally made it to Hagen. Exhausted, we managed to keep ourselves awake to sign paperwork and go to a local Italian restaurant for some dinner.... to fill up on pasta since John had a game the NEXT DAY!

Friday came along too soon, waking up early enough for John to run and get passport photos for his BBL players card, a quick run through in an attempt to learn a few plays, and a team lunch before we hit the road at 3:00 p.m.

Honestly, I don't even know how John was able to play. I was sitting there in the stands, chatting away with the girlfriends/wives, trying to stay awake myself. By halftime I was DESPERATE for a coffee! John was such a good sport about it though, playing 24 minutes and mustering up whatever energy he could find to try to help the team out. Unfortunately, they still lost... but at least it was to a top team on the road.

Tonight is another game... a home one this time. I am super excited to see the atmosphere and to meet more people. From what we have seen thus far, we love it here. The organization is so nice. I was actually able to ride the bus with the players to go to the away game Friday. They have genuinely treated us like family instead of someone that they "own." So, if anyone from Phoenix Hagen is reading this... THANK YOU for such a warm welcome. We can't tell you how much we appreciate it.