TravelStream™ news feed for member forbes180 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/forbes180 en-us Copyright ©2010 TravelPod.com Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:26:00 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/forbes180/1/1209533040/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/forbes180/1/1209533040/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/forbes180/1/1209533040/tpod.html Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:26:00 -0400 Forbes goes south, TEXAS 2008 Major League Soccer

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Southlake, Texas, United States

Guys havent write an update for ages but still having an absolute blast, weathers amazing and have been up to sooooooooo much, family im staying with are superb and loving staying with them, got alot of pictures ive added on facebook add me, to view hope alls well and i promise i'll try and update more regularly
chris
x
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Southlake, Texas, United States

I cant believe i have already been in the states for two weeks and my stay so far has been incredible. After moving in with the Fryers last sunday, they have made me feel so welcome and i already feel a part of the family. Lola the family mum, has shown me around the local neighborhood, all the shops, restaurants and sites. I only see Eddie in the evenings because he works during the day, and the two boys David and Miguel have been quality and its been like having two new brothers even after only 6 days!! When they come home from school i only have an hour and a half with them before i have to leave for coaching, so that time is packed with playing either xbox 360, soccer, basketball or with their family dogs Luna and Sunny.
The dogs are equally as part of the family as anyone else, they are black lab sisters who at first seem to be very protective and aggressive but as soon as they get use to you are the sweetest dogs you could meet.
The family home is unreal, extremely american and reminds me of a stereotypical american home you would see in the movies, a garage big enough to store a herd of elephants let alone two trucks, and a backyard a big as a local park back home in england. I'm living the high life a swimming pool and sauna in the back garden an xbox 360 with a 50 inch tv screen and actual size air hockey table on my floor.
I have my own room with an on suite bathroom and balcony and a mini bar and my own fridge. Words can't describe enough, but i feel extremely lucky to be staying where i am.
My soccer training sessions during the week have been really enjoyable, at the moment i'm working six nights a week so i have been quite tired but working with the american children has been superb, the standard of football is not as good as back home but the americans make this up easilly with their drive and determination to try and learn new skills and improve their game. I have been taking quite a few young classes of children age 7 and under, but surprisingly am enjoying these more than with the older children just because you can see them improving every lesson you take with them.
Saturday in Texas is a very big day for soccer all the local leagues play and all the children i coach play, so i tend to go to the local parks and watch a few teams play, tomorrow will be the first day that i will be able to watch David and Miguel there both playing at Bob Jones Park which is not far from the house, there both so excited because i am coming and they have been practicing all week.
Miguels friend from across the street Noah will also be there he is a very funny kid, every day without doubt he will follow the boys in from school and join in with the backyard football and basketball. Today made me laugh all three boys come in from school and gave me soccer balls they wanted me to sign because they think i coach professional football teams back in England. I just agreed and said i am, and had my five minutes of how it would actually feel to be famous and sign an autograph.
Anyways gotta get to bed gotta be up for the soccer tomorrow, no coaching either so got the whole day off to spend with my family.
speak soon chris xx
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Southlake, Texas, United States

Last night i packed up at Brads house after a week, and it was time to meet my new adopted family. We got the directions to a place called South lake, as we were driving around the local area i noticed the size of the houses were getting dramatically bigger.
We pulled up to my family home, and to my amazement the front drive was as big as my house.
I can only describe it as a mansion. I will post pictures as soon as i get the chance to take them.
It would be the first time i would meet the family that i would be staying with for the majority of my stay in Texas, so i was pretty nervous. But after meeting Lola and Ed i knew straight away that i would be fine.
After being shown around the house i sat down and had a meal, unfortunately i wouldn't be able to meet their sons until today.
After being shown around the local shopping area by Lola it was time to pick up the boys from their school.
David and Miguel soon found there way to the pick-up truck and before i knew it i was playing basketball and soccer with them in the drive. Just like the movies.
My time with the family so far has been absolutly unreal, and can't believe what kind of house im staying In.
Lola's a fellow european as well, she's from Spain so i think we clicked straight away because america to her, is like it is to me.
I can only describe is as England x100 everything's bigger!!
Coaching today was cancelled due to hurricanes and tornados in the local area, and the rain was coming down real hard, so unfortunatly the pitches were unplayable.

Speak soon
Chris :)
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Dallas, Texas, United States

Yesterday evening i had my first training sessions. Myself and fellow coaches Danny, Neal, Rich and AJ made our way to Bob Jones parks where the pitches were easily good enough for a premiership fixture to go ahead on.
After introducing ourselves to around 200 kids we got split up into groups and away we went. I had a group of Under 6 players which at first was daunting but as soon as you realise there only here to have fun and enjoy the soccer its easier than i first thought. After completing an hour and a half session, i then had my second session which was with a girls U14s group which went aswell as the first session. All in all it was very enjoyable and definatly easier than i first thought. Havent got myself a camera yet but as soon as i do i'll start posting pictures.
After a long first night we then went and met all the other lads and the cinema and watched vantage point.

watch out for new updates and pictures, " big up the KIDBROOKE KREW, you know who you are :) "

Chrisx
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Dallas, Texas, United States

After a absolute disaster with my travel details, i finally made it to my final destination Dallas Texas. After being informed that my flight was from London Gatwick, i thought i would make one final check on the BA website to make sure everything was ok, to my astonishment the flight was actually from London Heathrow and we had to make a quick de-tour and luckily enough just managed to get there before check-in closed.
British Airways flight to Philadelphia was a good flight watched a few movies and had a nap and landed in Philly in good time, only taking 7hours. Getting through the U.S immagration system was a bit of a treck, but got through and had to make a dash for my next flight which was a internal Philly to Texas Fort Worth flight. Time past quickly and after another 3.30hrs landed at Dallas.
THEN.............................................. disaster struck and realised my bag was not on the collection belt, after consulting with airport staff, they managed to locate my bag, and informed me that it had been Left In Philly :(
Still havent got it, but the company are delivering it to the home i'm staying at, so at the moment im firming it in the same track suit i wore on the flight :(
After being picked up at the airport by Brad i was quickly taken to hes family home and met his wife, but the other guys and hes daughter were all at the Dallas FC match which i unfortunatly missed, because of my late arrival.
Later on we went to a restaraunt and i met my fellow coaches and Brads daughter all seem nice guys, and our coaching staff team seem very strong all 11 of us are aged between 19-22 so im sure were gonna have some fun, the deeper we get into our stay in Texas
Take care evryone and keep checking the site for updates on how im getting on :)
Chris x
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London, United Kingdom

Got my flight details for tomorrow, and now really excited can't believe im actually going.

Leave London Gatwick on March 22nd at 11:15am on British Airways Flight 67
Arrive at Philadelphia at 3:20pm

Leave Philadelphia at 5:10pm on American Airlines Flight 1527
Arrive at Dallas Fort Worth at 8:05pm


REALLY long day for me flight to philly is 8.30 hours then from philly to dallas is another 3.30 so im gonna be shattered
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London, United Kingdom

Counting down until saturday, can't wait but not working and pulling my hair out through boredom, theres only so much day time television you can watch. Was my last fulham home game yesterday and what a result 1-0 beating Everton, Mc God with the goal!!!
The whites are staying up!!
Sorting out my last few bits and running round and trying to say goodbye to everyone before i leave, Not long now!! 4 1/2 days and counting :)
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