"My time in Venezuela" x x x x Notes from Brett during the season

Thursday 5th October 2006
Hi, and just wanted to let you know that I am in Caracas
We were all ready to take off after spending the night and were on the runway
But we turned around because of bad weather!!
I guess they have no automated landing system there and there was a lot of rain and clouds
But I am in Venezuela now and almost to my town
Everything went okay
A little dodgy and got ripped off by the guys helping us at the airport!!
But without them we would have had no idea what to do!!
So we are okay

Friday 6th October 2006
Okay - I am here!!
And I am staying at San Cono Suites - telephone 0011 58 255 622 9211 and Room 103
Call if you need to
I am not sure of my schedule the next few days - I really have no clue!!
I hope to be moving out soon!!
It's loud here!!
We are in the middle of downtown - music all day and night so far!!
Also, everyone knows who we are already - because we wear what? - shorts!!
No guys here wear them!!
It's as hot as balls and everyone has on jeans!!
But that is their culture
You should see them stare and look down at our legs and say "Pastora, Pastora"!!
It's a lot different than Caracas though

Saturday 7th October 2006
I will be out of email contact for a little while
We have a practise game today - three hours away
Then a barbeque at our owner's ranch - somewhere in the middle of no-where!!
We then stay overnight in a hotel then play a morning game and drive back
It's a little tough especially seeing as they are only practice games
I will let you know how i do
I have heard these types of dinners in this country go alllllllll night!!
But I hope we can get out of there at a decent hour
Be back soon

Saturday 14th October 2006 - #01
Very, very sick right now!! - I feel like crap!!
Am not sure if I will play today
IIt hit me on the bus last night - and now I am on fire!!!!!
Will go to the field and see if they let me go home or if they want me to stay and play
If you don't hear from me by email I would think I will be playing

Saturday 14th October 2006 - #02
I am not playing!!
Just got back to the hotel - with a fever of 102.6!!
Very high I know
But I have phone numbers I can call if I get worse
I really want an IV drip but that will be later if at all
'Hot head' and now off to bed
------NOTE - Brett also got pretty sick when he was playing in Venezuela during the 2004 season
------Click here and then scroll down to the "Emails from Brett" section for the details

Saturday 14th October 2006 - #03
I am feeling a little better
Still hot but I think the temperature is on the way down
Not sure about tomorrow as I haven't eaten at all
I think the Manager will put me in there anyway!!
Hope I am 100% if I do have to play
Off to bed again, bye

Sunday 15th October 2006
I am not playing today either
Still not very good and I am hoping they will let me go back to the hotel
I will write more tonight

Sunday 15th October 2006
I hope to be ready for the day after the off-day on Monday - but who knows!!
I am pretty bad at the moment - but it may just be the stomach now
I just threw up and had the 'other' at the same time!! - nice, huh!! - we can keep this one between us!!
Going to try and drink something because that is all I can keep down right now
The last almost-fourty-eight hours I have had about ten Pringles, three museli bars and some mashed potates and rice
All which have been thrown up!!
Fun times over here right now!!
The IV did make my head feel better though

Wednesday 18th October 2006
Phone call from Brett around midday
------I have spent the past two days in hospital!!!
------I think the whole thing started when I ate some pork - which I will now never ever eat again!!
------I am glad to be home now and resting - it's much nicer than being in the hospital, that's for sure!!
He was feeling much better
Will be out of the games for a few days, but will gradually get back into full training

Saturday 21st October 2006
Received a complete diary from Brett, and it starts from when he took off from Cairns on Wednesday 4th October until Friday 20th October
Click anywhere on the "HEADLINES" below to have a read - it's a great story!!!

Monday 23rd October 2006
The last two days have been okay
Yesterday I hit, threw and took fly balls and stayed around to watch the game
Today I went in early and did the same thing
The team has a game today four hours away - it is actually an off-day but they are making up a game that got rained out last Friday
Tomorrow is another scheduled off-day and I am going in to work out again
Then I am playing in the outfield on Wednesday!!
I have some tests tomorrow to make sure "the bacteria eggs" are gone and if they are, I am back in there!!
Will try to let you know before the game if I am playing or not

Tuesday 24th October 2006
Well, honestly, tomorrow is going to be a struggle!!
I am very weak and haven't eaten much at all but we'll see how things go
Worked out yesterday and got really dehydrated and sick again - but felt better that night and then this morning
Worked out today just a little trying to save some for tomorrow
We have four new players in the lineup tomorrow - and I am one of them
Hopefully it will work out okay

Tuesday 24th October 2006
Thanks
Hopefully it will all go well
"Fingers crossed!!"

Thursday 26th October 2006
After yesterday's game, I don't feel too bad
A little tired today but will try to take a nap before I leave for the field
I am starting to eat a little more too - and good stuff from here - we all cook now!!

Thursday 2nd November 2006
I am feeling 100% now
Although I still haven't eaten a meal that I have been completely full from yet!!