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Penny Fletcher: Looking back

Penny Fletcher
© CJ Berg 2009

Today is a long travel day, and thanks to Delta airlines for the great flight. I am enjoying the WiFi and the ability to chat with fellow coaches and parents who are also on this journey to the motherland that Putin is so proud of. It always amazes me how there is only 6 degrees of separation in our world. I will share that later in the week.

I have a feeling that this is going to be the most amazing experience. I have heard from the boys’ father Tim Fletcher, all seems to be great at the Hotel Vili. Small, efficient, greeted by Olga and there is running water. Today I have been looking in on all the athletes tweets. There have been some amazing success out there. I am so jealous of the mom that was successful enough to have both of her girls on the podium (gold and silver). What a dream. I know the Golds must be getting psyched to celebrate their kids success, as well.

All has been great except for the confiscation of all my makeup and antibacterial wipes. There was a significant delay out of New York due to the increased security and snow. So we missed our connection flight to Sochi, but the Russians had a representative there to escort us to another flight later that day. Then, when we arrived at the Sochi airport, there was this really nice gentleman that took us straight to our hotel.



I will say that the security at JFK airport was intimating with dogs, NSA, bomb squads and many under cover officials. I imagine the flight had many air marshals on it. I was thankful that it was as smooth as it was.

The tough part is that when you travel to other countries it is tough to keep up on the days events for the Olympics. They always only show their countries athletes and not the other countries on TV, so we are in an information blackout. I do know that the Russians won something in skating because at about 11 last night I about jumped out of my skin with the sounds of all the fireworks going off. I hope there are a few for Team USA.



So off to watch the boys in official training, then to the historic women’s ski jumping event. Go girls. Go USA.


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