Day 11 – Kat and the Map

Today we had a normal start. Waking up for an 8 o’clock breakfast the team were refreshed and ready to take on Kazakstahn. For the first time we had a game before our training. We were able to squeeze in the video analysis of the Kazakhstani’s before we headed to the venue.

Our game was disappointing and ended with a loss of 3-1 but the experience has definitely been positive. The Kazakstahn playing style is strikingly different to asian teams techniques with this varitey of opposition allowing the whole team to broaden their awareness of different volleyball styles.

With a few hours to spare before our late training, while sitting in our usual spot in the hotel hallway, we met some students from Japan. They took an instant obsession to us asking about volleyball and our Australian origin. Their interest caused much excitement from our new fans and resulted in numerous photos.

Later that afternoon at training we scrimmaged, with an emphasis on being in control of the ball and terminating the point as efficiently as possible. We work well as a team on the court and Jenny gave us an opportunity to bond together off the court: no bus. And so we embarked on the ’Great Walk of Taipei’ .

The twelve of us set off in what we thought was a grand adventure. Walking in the direction that we hoped was toward the hotel, we laughed and sang, believing that we would be able to reach the hotel, a fifteen minute drive, on foot. Asking help from the locals, we turned around to walk in the right direction.  After walking for approximately 25 minutes, we hailed three taxis with great success. Unfortunately the direction to the Santos Hotel was more challenging than expected until Kirsten discovered a hotel card in her bag and the translation skills of Kat were used to get us home. This was an excellent team-bonding experience with all of us enjoying the opportunity to be spontaneuous. For all of those parents who are shocked by this “opportunity”, Karl, the secret chaperone, followed us until we hailed the taxis and we were never out of his sight.