Northwestern University Athletics
2010 Italian Tour Player Blog
9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 2, 2010
Hi everyone,
We are just leaving Florence on our way to Venice. It's about a four-hour bus ride, but with the company of our team there isn't a boring moment. We had a great time in Florence yesterday. As we have done the whole trip, we started the day off with breakfast in the hotel. I really enjoy getting as much sleep as I can, but I am willing to sacrifice 45 minutes of sleep for such a good breakfast in the morning.
The food on the trip has been amazing so far. From the fancy restaurants, to the cafes in the afternoon, to the gelato shops, everything has been delicious. I was really looking forward to the food and it definitely hasn't disappointed me. Italian food is one of my favorites, and although I love the salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden, the authentic food here is unrivaled.
After breakfast we walked to the Galleria dell'Accademia which showcased some beautiful artwork, most notably the statue of David by Michelangelo. We met a tour guide at the museum who informed us about all of the artwork. As a group we then walked to see the Duomo, the third-largest church in the world. We didn't go inside, but from the outside we got a feel for how huge it was. After our tour we got a chance to walk around on our own to experience the city. Some of the guys climbed the stairs to the top of the Duomo from where there's an awesome view of Florence. Others walked around and looked in some stores. Juice always has to get his shoes so we went to Foot Locker for the third time on the trip!
After a long day of walking we were all very tired so most of the team took a nap to rejuvenate. Last night, instead of going to dinner as a huge group as we have done each evening, just the players went to a restaurant. It was a great time with a lot of laughs. Coming to Italy has been a great experience so far, not only because we are getting a chance to play, but also because it gives us a chance to bond as a team. It's great to be part of a team that is talented on the court and also really close off the court.
We have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of days as well. When we get to Venice today we will be touring St. Mark's square and taking gondola rides through the canals. We will get a good night's sleep tonight in preparation for our game tomorrow in Alessandria. Hopefully we will continue to play well as a team and get another win!
Go 'Cats!
