David Depto's confidence

When I arrived in Cologne on Tuesday evening, things started off on the right foot.  Even though this was my initial visit to Cologne, the first thing I saw as I got off of the train was a familiar site.  Iepe was standing on the platform exactly in front of the door I came through, looking around with an intense and hopeful stare…hoping to spot me, and hoping that I even got on the train after a few days in Amsterdam.  

We gave each other a warm greeting which seemed partly out of relief it was so easy to find each other and partly because this was a good sign.   Iepe has gotten off of his train in the exact same spot only 2 minutes before I arrived!

I had expected to go to a hotel, but our taxi made its way to a small apartment in a neighborhood that didn’t quite make the map of Cologne.  We walked in and I saw a tiny living room and equally sized sleeping area.  This was true of my hotel in Amsterdam as well, and seems to be a typical difference between Europe and the United States.  Because Iepe and I were the first to arrive in Cologne we were going to be sharing the apartment.  Since I had a lot of trouble adjusting to the 9-hour time difference the last time I came to Germany and I am a light sleeper, I was definitely concerned about the arrangement.  In the boxing game, though, I have come to expect the unexpected, and deal with less than ideal situations.  After hearing that Iepe snores, I was still happy I brought ear plugs.  I have learned it is easier to sleep late hours, from 5:00-14:00 than to try and fight my jet lag.  This schedule made it tough to do any sight-seeing, but the cool and rainy weather made that option less appealing anyways.

After a few days in Cologne, any reservations I had were fading away.  Even though I speak no German (aside from ‘thank you’ and ‘ street’) and I haven’t found a lot of English speaking people, everyone is very friendly and helpful.  Internet cafes are easy to come by, and some of the restaurants smell great.  Unfortunately, I still needed to lose a few pounds by weigh in so I couldn’t indulge in all of the German food that looked so good.   Another necessary evil I have grown accustomed too.  

On Wednesday and Thursday I visited a few boxing gyms for a couple light workouts.  Again, the trainers and boxing students were welcoming and pleased to work with me for my fight preparation.   Jan, one of the local chess boxers, was happy to pick me up and introduce me to the local fighters.   Even though this was very different than my typical living situation, I was feeling very at home even though I was half way around the world.  

As the fight grows closer, I can feel my excitement level rise.  I find myself envisioning my victory as I lay awake at night, when it is late enough that everything is closed, but I am not tired enough to sleep.  I try to keep myself busy with the chess software on my computer, and it actually works.   Since I don’t know much about my opponent, sometimes my mind imagines the worst, and the best.  I know, however, when the bell rings, whoever is in front of me, nothing else will matter, and my focus will be on the fight.  I will tune out the crowd, and the rest of Cologne that surrounds me.  At this point it doesn’t matter where I am, only that I am in the ring.