EN BREFS
 
PETITE VISITE GUIDEE ...

First, let me start by telling how much I luuuuuuve squash, yet again. I know, repeating myself, but where you are lucky enough to work with stunning athletes, humble, hard workers, accessible and respectful, you have to enjoy the moment, and thanks the Angels up there for the gift they are offering you every day….

Plus, having three matches going on that the same time, with players from all cultural background, real pros, or semi pros, not forgetting the complete amateurs, and GORGEOUS MEN EVERYWHERE, well that creates not only a buzz second to none, plus making my day every day… Sue me…

Still you may wonder how we are organised here at the club. Because I’m sure you realised that Steve is at the main/glass courts venue, and I’m here at the Espace 3000 for the Pool phase…



You have to realise that we have here a little gem of design. Imagine. A first class restaurant that makes around 200 meals per lunch in quiet periods, with a not too expensive hotel – extremely nice and comfy rooms in which Steve and myself are staying – and below, a sports club, with gym, tennis, and excellent squash courts, bars, etc.

Let’s start by outside shall we? There is a lovely adorable warm – well, up to now – terrace, opened all day all evening – where people can relax, have a meal, a cigarette – we are in a Latin country, you know – or just chat all day!

Then you come in, the reception that does the hotel reception, and the bar/sport club as well! Pretty busy/efficient they are, don’t know what to do to help/please you.

Go to the right, and you have stairs that take you to the hotel area, upstairs, or more stairs on the right, to go down to the courts.

You are to follow a few corridors, stairs, corridor, stairs, to finally arrive to the main space, where you have 4 glassback court, including two brand new. You cannot realise how much this club has changed in the past months.

Completely refurbished, it’s magnificent, and they even added a new bar area, perfect for these championships as the players don’t have to go up to the restaurant area to get a drink.

And to finish the visit, you have another stairs to go to yet another room, with a bar facility, sort of meeting room with a plus, where the officials of the tournament have established they HQ….

So there you go, an immense pleasure to work here, things are fluid, easy, and I fear I’ll miss this simplicity when I switch to the Main Venue…

In two days, I've been spoiled by three adorable people.

First Nasser, the Egyptian Kuwaiti Coach, that knows how mad about Arabic perfumes I am, and brought me some. Bless you, my friend.

Then the lovely Ref from Russia, Dina Kostrykina, who just gave me some lovely Russian Dolls.

 

And to finish, thanks to Nick Mueller and his dad Jack, who brought 4 White Chocolate Toblerone.

What...??? Yes, I know.... I'll have to give them away... Maybe I just smell them..???