Melbourne, Australia

After looking at the schedule, this was the only day where I felt I could get down on the pitch and make some photos myself. I requested a ticket and was able to spend the first half behind a camera, reliving a little of my last Women’s World Cup, 24 years ago.

Would I have made an editor happy? Maybe? I haven’t practiced this as much as my kids have, so they clearly outshot me. But I don’t think I would have been fired.

Germany beat Morocco, 6-0.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Today, Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzine walked onto the pitch at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium for a familiarization. Tomorrow, she may become the first player to wear a hijab during FIFA competition.

After MD-1 activities, I took the long way home and found some lost souls.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

I wasn’t sure how busy the days were going to be (very, it turns out), but on my Melbourne to-do list was a visit to Albert Park and a walk around the roads that are used for the Australian Formula 1 race. At about 3.25 miles, it’s a good hike around the lake, but so worth it to look at the corners I’ve seen so many times on the broadcasts.

Because the park is open to the public the rest of the year, it’s technically a temporary circuit. All the grandstands are gone, the barriers moved away. But you can see the pavement that delineates the track and the curbs the cars so violently hit. On pit road, you can also see remnants of the team’s markings, used to judge the precision with which the driver places the car during pit stops.

The ride out and back, via tram and some walking, was lovely, as well.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

The students had their first match, the only one with a noon start, so we were heading back in the late afternoon. A lot of energy, a lot of learning today. That left time for an evening walkabout.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

The winds started the day off briskly, the afternoon had us at the Melbourne Rectangulr Stadium for MD-1, the news conferences and familiarizations on the day before the match. Christin Sinclair and coach Bev Priestman spoke befor eleading the team out onto the field.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Not all days start with a delicious meal, but the evenings have some very nice light.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

An evening walk out to Parliament Gardens after a day of mostly sitting inside. Lovely colors and a calming oasis just on the edge of the central business district.