Grow the Game®

Journeys - LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
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LAS In Thailand, Day 5

7:30AM – Alarms sounds. GAMEDAY!

LAS Thailand GTG Invitational
Dave getting his breakfast

8:00AM – Breakfast at “the SQUARE” in the hotel with the referees who just arrived from Japan. Turns out two of the refs called the USA vs. Canada World Cup Championship game.

9:00AM – Trying to get some extra rest at the hotel. We leave at 10AM for a local market that fills 35 acres.

10:00AM – Jumping in the vans and heading to the Chatujak Weekend Market.

GTG Invitational
The market map... this place is HUGE!

The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals. For tourists, there are a number of onsite companies who will send purchases abroad.

11:00AM – We arrive at the market and absolute tourism ensues. Each of us bought at least a bag full of clothing and souvenirs. Me? Ray Bans that fold up, a watch, shorts, tank, an LAS ninja and a thank you gift for my sister who’s watching Bear this week.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Cool hanging dolls
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Lots of people at the market today
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Indoors at the market
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Dennis checking out the trendy tees
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Connor's new kicks
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Just plain awesome
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
And so we dance
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Fresh squeezed juice anyone?
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Dave and Vinnie with their pineapple
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Fried squid eggs?

2:00PM – Leaving the Chatujak Market.

2:30PM – Back at the hotel for a tour of the IMPACT Complex.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
On the tour... More on this later.

4:00PM – In our rooms with 1.5 hours to rest and relax before we head to the field. Connor and I meet Payu in his room to go over teams and distribute shorts, etc. Payu surprises with a sweeeeeeeeet souvenir.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
GTG Invitational memento - this is going on my desk

5:30PM – Heading to Yamaha Stadium. Energy is high. This is a going to be a blast.

5:45PM – In the locker room with all the players, suiting up for pre-game shenanigans.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Pregame

5:55PM – Out on the field tossing and shooting around. The sun is shining brightly on the stadium as it begins to go down.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Still pregame. See Connor's shirt? That's how hot and humid it is in Bangkok.

6:30PM – Thirty minutes until game time. Jerseys are being passed out. I’ll be on the blue team, Team “Grow”, with Connor, Dave, Dan Willson and Phil. Our defense will consist of me, Dan W, Big, Kol, Patrick and Steve Hess.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Our referees who traveled here from Japan

7:00PM – GAME TIME. Thai national anthem begins. We’ll be playing with International Rules, so quarters will be 20 minutes long with a running clock. No time limit for clearing.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Halftime

7:55PM – Halftime score: Game 5, Grow 4.

9:00PM – Game over. Game 11, Grow 7. An unreal experience. We could care less about the final score – winning was not the goal. What an honor it was to play in a game like this. The first round of game photos can be found here.

9:05-9:30PM – Post-game photo session.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
GROW THE GAME
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Payu, Phil, Connor, Dennis, Dan H, Dave, Jeff, Rory, Vinnie, Glenn, Dan W
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Me, Payu, and Connor

9:30-10:00PM – Showering up at the hotel.

10:00-11:45PM – Celebrating at an Irish Pub in the IMPACT Complex. All players from both teams are here. Glenn found his #1 fan waiting for him outside of the bar.

LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Glenn Morley with his #1 fan
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Thailand Lacrosse fans
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
Connor talking with some Thai players
LAS in Thailand, GTG Invitational
The boys

12:00AM – Hanging out at the hotel lobby bar.

12:30-2:00AM – Working on editing video from throughout the week. Coming soon, promise!

2:00AM – Passed out.