United in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands 7 major islands are all remnants of very steep, extinct volcanoes. Weather conditions here are considered perfect, and the beaches - some of the best on the planet.  We are on the island of Gran Canaria in the city of Las Palmas.  Las Palmas, Gran Canaria enjoys year round warmth and sunshine with very little seasonal variation. Summers are hot and dry while winters are just slightly cooler with a few showers. The island is the third largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, often called ‘Islands of Eternal Spring’ due to their enviable climate. The Canaries sit far south of mainland Spain, close to the west coast of Northern Africa. 

TEAM UNITES IN THE CANARY ISLANDS!  The Madrid group (we that couldn't get a flight until Saturday) had a 7 am breakfast at the hotel, loaded the shuttle to the airport, boarded the plane (yea!!) and took the 2 1/2 hour flight to Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.  The Canary Island group (the group that managed to fly to Canary Islands on Friday) had a morning practice.  We all had lunch together at the hotel and then off to the gym for practice with everyone!

Debi warming them up and stretching

Dinner at the hotel.  The hotel is hosting the teams for this tourney in the Canary Islands.  They have a buffet set up and assigned team places to eat.  The food is good and plentiful.  The boys ate lots of french fries!

Team USA eating

OFF TO THE BEACH for the evening!  We took taxis to the beach to let the boys see beyond the hotel and gym.  We went to the soccer fest which was a huge outdoor area set up with a giant screen to watch Spain play.  Spain won so the crowd was happy.

at the soccer fest

Team USA always draws lots of attention!

Ice Cream!!

At the beach

BJ giving announcements for the next day.

Some of the adults went back to the beach area later.  It is St. John's Day, a holiday similar to our 4th of July.  We watched the fireworks on the beach and the tradition of people running into the ocean and swimming to cleanse themselves.  Thousands were on the beach but not all that many went into the water.  

Coach Jones, Coach Showalter, Debi and Pauline looking on.

Fireworks

A sand sculpture