May 28, 2007
Note: The Arizona State women's basketball team is currently in Italy for a nine-day tour of the country. Throughout their stay updates will be provided on their daily experiences.
MAY 26-27, VERONA, LAKE COMO, RETURN HOME
Hello world!
So the tour is slowly coming to an end. I really can't believe it. Looking back on the trip we have experienced so many amazing things! Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined touring Italy with such a great bunch of people.
It's a good thing I love everyone on this trip because it has been a long one. Today was our last full day and we ended it with a trip to Verona. It was one of the best days for me because we weren't walking forever. And, of course, we saw the main attraction, Juliet's balcony, which was pretty sweet. However the best part of Verona might have been the street performers. Some of them were creepy!
After that we left to head back to Lake Como. This has been one of the best experiences of my life! Ciao Italy!
Bri
We just loaded up the bus for the last time this trip and we are heading back to the United States. This trip flown by and I can't believe we are already coming home because it feels like we just got here.
This trip has been an exciting experience and we are all so thankful that we had the opportunity to visit Italy. Looking back on everything we did, I would have to say that walking up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, relaxing on the beach, shopping in Florence and touring Lake Como were my favorite things to do ... oh yeah, and the basketball games, too! Ha ha!
It has been so interesting to see how differently we live in America compared those in Italy. We all kept noticing how much smaller the food and drink portions are here. Poor Sybil would order a steak (she would get about seven bites out of it) and that's all you get here ... no mashed potatoes, no veggies, no salad; just a tiny piece of meat. Also, the soda cans are smaller than back home. Some of the girls would have to order two in order to be satisfied.
There is no such thing as `free refills' in this country and they charge you to actually drink out of the glass that they so kindly put in front of you. Kayli, Bri and I got ripped off big time in Venice when three kid-sized pizzas and two waters cost us 40 euros!!! That's like 50 bucks for pizza and water! I will never forger that, but there is one thing I can't complain about ... gelato!! Those portions were just right and the prices were usually pretty cheap. By the last few days of the trip I came to find that my favorite flavor was chocolate and mixed berry. It was just like eating chocolate covered berries! I sure am going to miss that!
I wonder how the Italians would feel if someone came up with a no-carb diet in their country?! Ha ha! I don't think that would be much of a fad for them. All they have to eat here is pizza, pasta and Panini. All full of carbs! My dad seemed disappointed that I was having pizza for every meal because according to him pizza originated in New York and was later introduced in Italy. I don't know if I believe him, but I do know that the pizza here was very good and I usually had it twice a day. I am going to miss it : (
I am sad that this trip is over, but it will be nice to be back home. I had a great time with the team. We all had lots of fun and made some memories that we will never forget!
As we are leaving Italy it looks like it is going to be a rainy day. Sara, our tour guide, said it is true that we really did bring the sun with us!
Ciao!
Kate
We are finally on our last trek to Phoenix. It's actually coming to an end. We made it through our almost 10-hour flight from Milan to Philadelphia and now it's just five more hours until we get home and to our own beds.
I think it is kind of bittersweet because even though everyone is excited to be going back home, we're all a little sad to be ending this adventurous trip. I'll miss my croissant and cappuccinos, but won't mind not eating pizza for a few days.
Italy was absolutely gorgeous and we got to do so much in the short amount of time that we were there. It is a great start to a hardworking summer and the beginning of our 2007-08 season.
Arrivederci Italy!
Kayli
Well, what to say? A whirlwind ending to a whirlwind trip. Our 10 days in Italy flew by; sad to say though that our flight home is not doing likewise. We are on our last leg, Philadelphia to Phoenix, a mere hop compared to our Milan to Philadelphia flight (a jump of nine hours, ewwwww!)
Italy was absolutely amazing and I'm definitely going to miss my morning cappuccino and my long carefree days of sightseeing, shopping and haggling. And not to forget my fix of gelato at least twice a day, even three times if I was lucky. I'm pretty sure that in Italy they have not heard of the Atkins or low-carb diet.
The basketball part of the trip was so much fun. I think everyone was disappointed we could not grab that final victory, but it definitely gave us something to think about and work on over summer in preparation for our exciting 2007-08 season. It was so much fun to finally get to play with Sybil and Lauren and I can tell they were just as happy to finally step foot on the court in the Sun Devil maroon and gold.
I think Italy has given us the perfect platform to begin our journey into the 2007-08 season!
Arrivederci Italia!
Gabby
Wow, we are almost home. Yes!
I honestly have to say that I really enjoyed myself. I am so fortunate to have had this opportunity although I could have done without the long plane rides like today, which felt like an eternity. But once again, I cannot complain. I am happy to get home and see my family, eat "American" food and sleep in my own bed.
On the trip I never imagined things to be the way they were. I would have to say that Florence was the best place we visited. I was mad that I didn't see any Olive Gardens :) But hey, can you blame me for dreaming? After all, it was Italy.
Arrivederci,
Dymond