This is it. I’m here.

It feels surreal. The 16 hour flight, the fat old man next to me with the overwhelming b.o., and then emerging to the startlingly cool chill of Barcelona’s waning spring. Strange as this mishmash was, it all fed the excitement drumming through my veins. Drum, drum, drum. Yes, even sitting here in the restaurant canteen chewing on lunch as I type this—players of all ages, sizes and nationalities bustle in and out. They stream in carrying their huge-ass tennis bags, snorting to each other in different languages. They secretly scope out each other’s tennis outfits, smile at old friends, talk about the draw of the latest tournament at the Academy. On the walls, tennis greats like Henin, Federer and Nadal look over, silent with their immortalized trophies and autographed best wishes. It is a little overwhelming, but at the same time so, so damn cool.

I touched down at 9am this morning and was picked up by Juan, one of SC’s drivers. He was a short, pudgy, middle-aged man standing glumly at the arrival gate, one hand on chin and the other holding out an A4 sheet with “SARAH PANG” printed huge and bold from side to side. I felt very bad for having made him wait (I had to take a huge dump in the toilet! Ha ha!) but once I waved at him and muttered a sheepish “Hola!”, the man broke into a wide grin and immediately insisted on taking over my luggage.

At the academy, Juan introduced me to Kiko—a very friendly Mexican (!) overseer in charge of allocating accommodation at SC. That made settling in much easier than I expected. Later that evening he had time (and allowance from SC!) to take me out for a short rendezvous around town. I drank Sangria (very nice, UC!!!!) and scoped out part of La Ramblas—the main street to Barcelona Centre. The place was teeming with life!! There were still performers around every corner, drum bands beating life into the night air, and sidewalks choked with animal stands, selling pets of every shape and size. Incredible, really.

Going to scope out an English service tomorrow. Looking forward to it!! :)

LUNCH MUNCH:
Stir-fried brown rice—peas, tomato slivers, and chicken bits included
Grilled salmon fillet
Potato wedges
Fruit salad—lettuce, sweet honey dew, orange slices, kiwi and watermelon chunks. Mmm!
Wholemeal baguette
Mineral water