Grand Canyon University Athletics
Pan American Games-Day One
10/20/2011 9:05:00 AM | Dominique Daniels - BMX
Dominique 3D Daniels Blog From Guadalajara Mexico and The Pan American Games:
Hello everyone!
I am in Guadalajara Mexico. Today is Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 and I wanted to reach out and let everyone know how things are going. To say it’s been an interesting day would be an understatement. We started, by we I mean my father and Coach Tim Daniels and my teammate Brian Perez, by arriving on a red eye flight that left Phoenix at 8 p.m. and arrived in Guadalajara at 5:45 a.m. By the time we got our luggage it was 6:30 a.m., we cleared customs and made it to the Olympic Village by 8:30 a.m. and I couldn’t believe all the people from other countries. I have been to large races in the past but never anything like this. I don’t know how many countries are here but I think it is all the American and Caribbean countries. Since most countries speak Spanish here I have been trying out my Spanish. I still need work but I have been able to communicate for the most part.
I share a room with six girls, they are very nice and we are getting along well. I will be posting pictures on my Facebook and here on the blog as soon as I can. I think you will find the photos very telling of my experience here. I talked with my dad on the way to practice and I told him that I had no idea how big and important this event was and that I had been a little testy because I was tired and wanted a couple of days off. I thanked him for putting things in perspective and that it is very clear how important it is for me to be here and represent Grand Canyon University, my family, my friends and fellow students and my country.
After practice our driver asked us if we would like to see the city and the answer was, “Of course!” Well outside of the military and police presence everywhere I was struck by the industry of the Mexican people. Everybody was busy and the city was crowded. The Pan American Games are everywhere and the sporting events are at some 25 different venues around town. I think I was most touched by some of the old churches he showed us which dated back to the 14 and 15th centuries. I took lots of photos for you to see. The best part was a visit to the Governors Palace which was built in 1550 and looks incredible. I walked the same halls as people did hundreds of years ago and I am going to upload photos of this beautiful place and let you judge for yourself. I took a lot of photos of this painting that is stories tall and tells the tale of Mexican independence and freedom. It has truly been a remarkable day for me here and I cannot tell you how fortunate I feel to be here and able to share this with you. I will be here for 3 more days so if there is anything you want me to explore or find out please let me know and I will do my best to answer.
Thank You Guys
Dom
To see photos, click here