"My time so far in-- --Venezuela"

Tuesday 2nd November 2004
Well, I am here now and the hotel is really nice.
I have my own room with a kitchen and dining area, plus there is a small lounge and television.
The bedroom is a big room with a queen bed and a TV as well,
and a huge bathroom with a bedai (that how you spell it?) that I wont be using!!
Apart from that everything else is really nice.
Oh, except for the part where the airlines lost both my bags!!
I have nothing at all - just what I had in my computer bag - shit!!!!!!!!!
But I am going to go buy a shirt and some underwear today and hopefully my bag will be here soon.
Who knows though!!
Off to eat and buy some clothes.
Not sure how much I will be able to email but I will be back soon.
Brett

Wednesday 3rd November 2004
Thank God I have all my stuff now!!
Wasn't fun working out in everyone else`s gear!
Crazy shit over here let me tell you!!
The games are like Indian cricket games - loud drums play all the time, and when the opposition hit a three run home run, the people threw stuff on the field.
Plus there was a couple of fights in the stands.
Entertaining to say the least!!
On the way home there is a lot of people there so we have two armed security guards on motor cycles that escort us home.
Oh and sorry Mum, but the guns are in their hands and not in their pockets!!
Funny stuff as I know they are not going to shoot me.
Relax Mum, it's ok here!!
Well not much else today - we lost the game, and I think I am having one more day to relax before I play.
I will let you know how it turns out.
CYA

Friday 5th November 2004
Hi all,
and from what I have been told I am playing today but we will have to wait and see.
This place is a complete circus!!
We had security escort us out pushing us towards the bus last night and that was after we won!!
If we lose I guess it's a lot worse but fun to me!!
Relax, Mother!
Off now, but I think I am in there tonight.
Bye.

Friday 5th November 2004
My team mates are all okay.
I have played with or against most of them throughout my career, so I find it easy to talk with them.
I have talked to the Coach twice - once the first day when I met him and then yesterday when he told me he thinks I will play today.
The food is okay I guess - I can find stuff I like, but when the bus stops it stops on the side of a highway at "a hole in the wall petrol station" and that is where we eat.
Not bad though, and I haven't gotten sick yet either. (but he did later!!! - click here for the details)
Bye.

Sunday 5th December 2004
Well, sorry this has taken so long but as you all know I am really good at the one and two line emails!
I have been here just over one month so far and it's been good and bad and downright shitty at some points, but overall I would say that it's been great for me.
Playing against this level of competition everyday well only help me.
This level means 'big leaugers' that are there now and some that have been there so it can only help.
My trip over here started badly with me losing all of my luggage - only took one extra day to get it so it wasn't that bad.
I went to my first three games not being able to play because I wasn't quite in shape yet and I got to see how they play over here and let me tell you it's like nothing you´ve ever seen before!!
We have played games in front of as little as 3000 and as many as 25000 - and those games are crazy!!
There are armed security everywhere, and police dogs that look like they just want to bite something!!
Fans run on to the field during the game asking for autographs.
They burn the other team's flag all the time in the bleacher seats!!
Plus fireworks are let off onto the field and I think it's like Sydney and New Years Eve during some games!
The fans love my team and I somehow am playing on the most popular team in Venezuela.
We score a run and beer goes flying everywhere and when we win they just about bring the house down.
They do the wave, and everything not welded down goes up and it's quite a sight to see when you are playing and it goes around.
Also, for the guys!!
There are dancing girls at every game - they wear pretty much nothing and are called "The Pepsi Girls"
They have their own stage and between innings they pretty much do a striptease show.
Needless to say that wouldn't go down well anywhere but here with families etc but its fun to watch!!
As most people know you have a shower after a game then bus home.
Now imagine having a shower with no hot water, EVER!
The water pressure is so low that there are huge containers full of 'cold sewer water' I think with cups - you wet yourself, then rinse off and go.
Funny thing was, after I had showered thank God, one guy just jumped in there all the way - pretty funny too!!
Now this is not totally my fault but I did get ejected from a game for fighting and, sorry Mum, but it was out of my hands!!
I stepped in ready to hit, and the pitcher was already going so I stepped out - and he threw the ball pretty close to me, on purpose I will add.
I got back in the box and he was standing halfway staring.
I yelled 'sweet things' to him, and the catcher came and stood between us with the umpire.
Pushing and shoving and later the benches cleared.
Fifty people on the field and I got hit from behind!!!
I didn't even see it and it was a cheap-ass-shot and next time we play them he is getting drilled!! - sorry, but that is how it's played and he will get his!!
That is pretty much my trip so far.
I haven't done any sightseeing as we are really not allowed to for safety reasons, but maybe I will before I leave.
Off now for a game and then a five hour bus ride - fun, fun, fun!!
See you.