Jozy Altidore Loves His Siestas At Villareal

Going over to Spain and experiencing the siesta culture firsthand can be a little disorientating. This goes double for an 18-year-old kid like Jozy Altidore, who has found life with his new Villareal team (including midday naps) a lot different than his time playing for the Red Bulls. But like most people, he's gotten used to the siesta as a Spanish cultural right of passage--like Americans loving their 128-oz Big Gulps--and has now embraced it with a big, sleepy embrace. (Ed note to self: go out and get a 128-oz cannonball Big Gulp.)

"Right off the top, I have to say that so much is so different for me. Its been a real, quick education. Especially this siesta thing. After we eat lunch, its siesta for two and a half hours. You just go take a nap and rest. When you walk past guys rooms everyone is asleep. Everyone is shut down for three hours. Man, I love siesta. Its great!

Yes, but is a midday nap enough of a pull to ditch your mother country's hope for Olympic gold?

I guess Im in a tough situation: I want to play in the Olympics but its also a critical time for me and my club team. But at the end of the day, its country over club. Its a tough decision, but anytime you can honor your country you have got to seize the moment.

So a midday nap is no challenge for helping your country medal in soccer. See, this is what separates Olympians from stoners. Well, the Summer Olympians, anyway--we all know those extreme guys and gals from the Winter games are half-pipe smokers like whoa. Jozy Altidore: Love Those Siestas [NY Times] Image [NY Times]