As many of you may have seen, this week finally everything has been signed and sorted, and I have been cleared to play. It has been an arduous process to get to this point, but really only now does the journey begin. It is an exciting feeling knowing finally that I can start playing and begin the next phase of my journey.
If you would like to read more about it, you can do so here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/domestic/85021183/erik-panzer-follows-all-whites-striker-rory-fallon-to-english-club-truro-city and here: http://www.trurocityfc.net/single-post/2016/10/05/ERIK-PANZER-Cant-wait-to-get-started
This has been the major hurdle and I have finally crossed it, but there are still more hurdles to jump as I hopefully soon will settle down into life in Truro. Long may the journey continue!
If you would like to keep track of Truro City FC, you can do so on Facebook, Twitter, and their website.
Sorry there are no photos. Once I get playing, I’m sure there will be some to share with you!
On Monday, I continued my individual training, utilizing the various accessories that the turf field had to offer. Big tires to pass against and give an uneven return which kept me on my toes, walls to juggle a ball against, and corner walls to pass, return, open out and pass to the other side. I just have to find ways to train various aspects of my game and also get as many touches in as possible each day. I feel like I have been achieving that. Today was also the exciting day that I would get to pick up my visa. It is pretty much like an ID card and it has all the details on there. What it didn’t have however, was a National Insurance Number, which I thought would come with it due to something I applied for during the visa process. So I got on the phone and began the process of applying for a National Insurance Number. One more box to tick off.
So Thursday morning after I ate breakfast, I carried all my bags across town to the Grosvenor Hotel. I stored my bags there for the day and went off on my merry way. I read my book in about 5 different spots today, and managed to finish it. A very compelling book, and certainly very relatable to the process I am currently going through. I’m pretty sure I could define myself as “gritty” for going through all of this. I also managed to wander a few streets and find a few interesting places and little gardens around the place. A worthwhile afternoon before I checked into the hotel and got settled. It was certainly an upgrade from the hostel. I headed out to a nice Italian place for dinner before Rory picked me up for training once again. Training followed similar suit to Tuesday night.
Friday dawned a lovely day and after I had a big breakfast at the hotel, I managed to chat to my parents for about an hour. Our weekly catch ups are always nice and sometimes just enough encouragement to keep me going. Once breakfast had settled, I ran across town and over the bridge to Plymstock. I had had something delivered to Rory’s, however no one was home so they left it at the local post office. So I ran with my backpack to the post office, picked up my package and ran back to the hotel. A good morning run and the best part of it all, I have picked up my new boots. I packed up my football bag and then headed out hoping to find a closer park, but what I found was a large fenced in field, which was locked. So I continued on to my usual field and gave the new boots a good run around on the grass. After I did what I could on the grass, I switched boots and went onto the turf and got more touches in. After a while I called it a day and packed up my stuff and headed back to the hotel. I refreshed and then headed out to a waterfront restaurant for lunch and to read. 
The problem with not being at the hostel is that I cannot make or store my food anymore, so I have had to eat out meals. I make sure that I get bang for my buck though and stay awhile! For dinner, I decided to try the Australian bar, Walkabout. I had walked passed it many of times as I headed into town from the hostel so it was about time. Plus at 8pm there was Friday Night Football in the Premier League. I started with an Old Mout Cider which was wonderful and then had a burger, which I was unfortunately let down by. Oh well. I stayed the length of the game which was good, and then headed on out as the crowds headed on in for their Friday night fun.
as I have the stamp from Ireland showing I entered, its fine and I can pick up my visa. That was very good news to hear. So Ill head back on Sunday to pick it up. The rest of my day I spent wandering around the streets of Plymouth and then spent a few hours up at The Hoe, which overlooks the water. There was a massive tent there for the Plymouth University Graduation. It brought back memories for sure. I spent my afternoon reading and laying in the sun just resting. Rory picked me up later that evening for training. It was good to catch up with him, and it was good to get a training in with the team.
On Friday I found a nearby park where I was able to do my own training. I took a ball from training last night and a few cones, so I had some supplies to allow me to have a good session. Once I was showered, I headed back up to The Hoe, and continued to read my book. I took a stroll down through the Barbican and in and around the surrounding streets, before finally heading home for the evening.
ome team fans, as I wanted to just watch our backline and see what they were doing and how they played. In the second half I was at the end we were attacking and I got to see 2 late goals. A comeback with for Truro, 2-1. I met a few of the Truro fans who had heard bits and bobs about me, and so that was nice. And then the long bus ride home began. However a happy bus ride because of the 3 points earned on the road.
on sun. There had been a seafood festival going on in town, however when I went late in the afternoon, it seemed as everyone was packing up to go home. I missed out unfortunately. I then went back and found a new reading seat with a little bit of a different view as the sunset. I was hoping to see a nice sunset, however the wind that was freezing me, blew in some clouds, and there was no true colorful sunset to witness. I had to head home before I became too cold to walk.
On Friday I went out to the movies with Ryan and we watched War Dogs. It was a very interesting and funny film, and a nice escape for him. We had a chat later that evening and I tried to help with his mental space as he has had a challenging year so far on the team.
hen we left we went into New Haven to grab some pizza before heading home. A good Saturday!
As time went on this week I kept on checking to see whether my return label was activated, however it was instead an email received on Thursday afternoon saying my visa was accepted and it would be returned to me along with my papers and forms. Thankfully, it arrived Friday afternoon into the safe hands of my friend Ricky, whose address I used on the return label.
We spent a few hours wandering around Central Park, taking in the sights and sounds of street performers and buskers, while we chatted about all sorts of things. I then headed off to the restaurant Anne and I would be meeting at. Soon after I arrived, so did Anne. We had a lovely meal together as I filled her in on all the events that had occurred since I last saw her at Graduation.
It was a good experience wandering through the huge museum. After a couple hours of looking at all the art and history, we said our goodbyes and headed off in our own directions. I swiftly walked back down to Grand Central and got on the train that would arrive into New Haven at 7.43pm. Shannon picked me up after her shift ended and we headed straight for her home in Massachusetts. 
I have also been fortunate enough for my old strength and conditioning coach, Megan, to have the willingness to put me on a program and train me while I am here. I trained every day, with 3 sessions in the gym, and four sessions with running and sprinting. Adapting to the heat has certainly been a challenge but it just adds an element to it all. I have managed to get ball work in when I can, however I am still unsure whether I am allowed to train with the team. Hopefully I will get confirmation tomorrow whether I can or cannot train with them so that I can sort out a plan for the next two weeks.
My afternoon has been nothing extraordinary. I have just been tracking the Blackcaps cricket as well as following the olympics as best I can. I made a good lunch as well. An uneventful evening also, just preparing my last little things to return to the USA tomorrow. Of course I wrote this previous sentence before my evening occurred. I had assumed a casual evening at the house, however when Rory and Carly got home from work around 4pm, they freshened up and suggested we go into town for a wander and some food. It was a lovely evening where we spent some time on the old Navy base at a nice little restaurant having tea, coffee and treats, before we went off to another restaurant on the other side of the water to have dinner. The night was filled with lots of chat about various topics. Lots of business chat, some football chat, and some general chat. It was nice to relax and hang out and get to know them a little for and for them to get to know me. It was just the Friday night we needed. Finally we did head home and I sorted my last few things before the early ups tomorrow morning. 
With keeping the trend of seeing friends from NZ in my travels, High school friend Alice Gray was up in Plymouth from Falmouth today to do a bit of shopping. I endured a 45min walk into town because I didn’t understand the bus system and didn’t want to get stuck in somewhere I didn’t know. I was able to wander around a little bit and see a few sights before we met up for a bit of ice cream and a catch up in the Olympic Fanzone. We also managed to catch Kiwi Lisa Carrington race to bronze in here K1 500m race on the big screen. It was lovely to catch up as we figure out that the last time we had seen each other was 2013. She is doing well and enjoying some travels before she begins her first full time job as a nurse in Christchurch! I then made the 45min journey home, as I felt blister begin to form on my feet, but I made it home. 