Grounded and reflecting by Lisa Schriver

Friday evening/Saturday morning was an airport day. We flew out of Rio at 8:00pm. Everyone made it thru security and bags met the weight requirements (were never weighed). We landed on US soil in Miami at 3:30am. I am sure this is the quietest the airport is so it was a good time to have to go thru customs. We were a little worried as some have never gone thru this process but was fast due to the system being done. Comforting on how many illegals made it into the USA. (This has been a joke with us and Ligia). From Miami we boarded to Dallas and then to Minneapolis. We had a couple of gate changes but all in all the trip back was smooth.

While at the airport in Rio, we asked our group to write their best moment/memory of our 12 days. Here is what we had to say:

Kayla - "My favorite part of the trip was working with the kids in Sao Paulo. It was amazing to see how happy they are despite the hardships they face everyday. It was inspiring to see to say the least

Steph - "My most memorable experience was the second day of volleyball clinics for the kids. There were a couple of shy little girls when we first got there who I noticed when we were done, were smiling, and running around and having fun. It was cool to see".

Megan - "Having dinner with the Paulistana volleyball girls at the club".

Amber - "Coaching all the elementary and middle schoolers' and seeing how excited they were to learn about us and how much we learned about them".

Whitney - "My favorite part of the trip was visiting the Statue of Christ in Rio. I have always loved it. I even have a poster of it in my room. It was beautiful and the views from the top of the mountain were spectacular".

Katy - "I think my memorable part of Brasil would have to be Rio. From the flight in to the flight out, I was shocked by the sheer beauty of the city. Sugar Loaf and the Statue of Christ are views that can't be mimicked but won't be forgotten".

Claire - "My most memorable moment is when we were at the school (the second day) and after we were done tutoring them 3 girls came up and gave me a hug and said "you are beautiful we love you". They were giving lots of hugs and were just happy to receive one back".

Kelsey - "My most memorable moment was the first clinic we did. It was awesome to try to communicate with the kids. The attention that they craved and gave stood out. It made me feel very thankful for the things I had growing up. It also reinforced how much I want to work with youth".

Kaili - "My most memorable moment was the coaching clinics. Those kids were so amazing for having so little. I know what it is like to come from a family with no money and I can honestly say that every bit helps. Those kids were so grateful for a miniature volleyball and I couldn't help but love each and everyone of them for their energetic spirits. It was a priceless experience".

Ella - "My most memorable part of the trip was going to the school and teaching the kids how to play volleyball. I thought it was a great opportunity to work with kids who may not have much and make them feel loved and appreciated in just an hour of our time".

Lynn - "Being at the volleyball clinic at the school. Watching those volleyball kids play was so fun".

Jackie - "Christ Statue"- the size and the beauty and the view from the top".

Greg - "Going to the schools and working with the kids. I really realized how good we have it".

My reflections - Meeting Ligia's parents and Paula (our incoming freshman from Rio) were great moments for me. Ligia and I have spent lots of time in the car recruiting and lots of talking and getting to know each other. I have heard many stories of her family and formed pictures of them in my mind. I was able to see pictures of Terea (mother) so I knew what she looked like but was able to see what a wonderful woman she is. She has American likes from being in the States for two months. She is a shopper so Nike, Calvin Kline, TG Maxx - all brought smiles to her face. Orlando was taller than I pictured but skinny like Ligia said. We had a hard time finding a belt at the market for him as they were all two long. He was a wonderful 4th coach (behind Murley of course). Lots of good information from him when we played as he would listen to the other teams huddle and transfer the information to us as they must have thought he was American. We were always amazingly one step ahead of our opponent.

Paula came to the beach and hotel to meet us in Rio. She couldn't stay as they had a practice the following day but we got a chance to finally meet her and introduce ourselves in person and not just over the internet. The next day we wanted to go and watch her practice and spend a little more time with her so we hopped onto the city bus, traveled across the bay in a ferry and took another bus to her gym. We were able to meet three other players and two coaches and picked up some good drills. This is great to be able to spend a bit more time around her and we are looking forward to her arriving in Aberdeen the first of July.

Things that stood out: the hospitality of the people (Steve thinks other countries hate Americans - not the case in Brasil with us) - the traffic - how well they utilize space - the great food - how safe we felt at all times - how fortunate we are and how much we have in comparison - the love of the game from the players and coaches - how we stood out and drew attention everywhere we went - how people wanted to come and communicate with us when they heard we were from the USA - how few American's we saw in Sao Paulo but how many we had in our hotel in Rio - the beauty of the country - how Soccer is more than a passion it is everything - how a beach in Rio is like our YMCA or Parks and Rec program, all kinds of activities and lessons take place on the beaches in Rio - how a speedo swim suit can be worn on all ages and actually looks OK on 70 year old's (with no belly of course)

and finally how proud I was of our players and group on how well they represented themselves, Northern and the USA in Brasil.

I will never experience a trip like this with such a great group of people. Thanks Ligia for pushing us to Brasil and thanks to all of you who helped us make this possible.