Playoffs

We are starting playoffs this Friday. This season has gone by too fast!! Our last games we had to forfeit because the shot clock was not working! Only in Argentina would the back up shot clock be broken also. At this time we were in the top four and going to get a bi for the first round of playoffs. After this happened we dropped and lost the last two games. We are hoping we pick it up for playoffs and finish well. This team has the ability to finish strong and make it to the finals. However, people have been hurt and they all seem really tired. It was great to get to play in the South American Tournament and the Ligas de Americanas. Which also meant more games! They have played over seventy games this season. I think they are all tired. This weekend we have home court advantage! Vamos Quimsa!!

Siesta!

A majority of the cities in Argentina have a siesta! Santiago Del Estero has a LONG siesta! Stores close at 1:00 p.m. and do not open again until 6:00 or 6:30. In the past, I did not see the purpose of having a siesta and thought people were being lazy! In this city we have many friends and spend a lot of time with Argentina families. They are extemely close, their children are very respectful, and overall seem to be happy families. Since there are siestas these families eat lunch and dinner together everday. The typical American family does not even eat dinner together every night! I know as I was growing up my family tried to eat dinner together a lot, but when Lindsay, Zac, and I got older we had basketball games, practice, and other activities that made it hard.

The typical schedule here is 7:30/1:00 school; 1:00 lunch followed by a siesta; 6:00 snack and back to work; 7:00-9:00 kids go to activities or play with friends; 9:30/10:00 off work and dinner. Parents here spend a lot of time with their kids. Most of my friends that work in the U.S. only get to spend two to three hours a day with their children. The late dinner allows families to eat together every night. However, it also makes for a later bed time. I have to say I am adapting to the schedule here, and while I still don't take a siesta, I don't mind the town shutting down! Nichy embraces the siesta and takes a nap everyday!! Actually as I write this, he and Gabriela are both asleep!