NCVA Pordenone/Venice
We left SFO almost on time headed for Venice via Atlanta changed planes in Atlanta and really lucked out as the plane was not full and most of us were able to stretch out on the extra seats. The Southern Cal team and coaches were on the same flight out of Atlanta with us.
Once we reached the Marco Polo International Airport (Venice Italy) a really nice Purple bus picked us up with no air conditioning to take us to our Hotel Damodoro in Pordenone a little over an hour on the road.
Checked into the hotel had lunch then went to the gym to practice for 2 hours. In the gym they had a mural of Scotty Pippin and Dennis Rodman when they played on the Chicago Bulls together, very funny caricatures. (left hand side below)
After practice we took quick showers and went to dinner at Woody’s restaurant and then checked out the town before crashing for the night. By the time we hit the sheets it had been around 30 hours since leaving SFO.
The next morning we had practice at another nicer gym at 9am, and then quick showers, lunch at Woody’s and then catch the train to Venice.
When we first arrived to Venice we were shocked by the ancient architecture. Most of these buildings have been around for centuries and it’s outrageous that they are still standing. Everything that we have encountered has been beautiful, from the city streets to the women. The locals are incredibly nice, we met a few who taught us the language and showed us around. The streets of Venice are amazing; the entire city is massive maze. The city is so big you might even get lost.
A few favorite/shocking moments and products that we enjoyed during this trip:
- It’s a big change only seeing cars that are no bigger than a mini-cooper and some that make the Cooper look huge!!!
-All the women are amazing. They wear hardly any make-up, just natural beauty.
-A native juice called “Ace” (pronounced ah-chay) has corrupted our team.
-For coffee lovers, the coffee here is to die for and that was only from the hotel Damodoro.
-Gelato (the ice cream) has become quite common for all the players. We have been eating it 3-4 times a day.
-Everything in Venice, Italy has a fee. There is a sit down fee for sitting in restaurant or at their outside tables and in some places it’ll cost you almost an entire Euro ($1.39) just to use the bathroom. And sometimes it is just a porcelain hole in the ground. It’s amazing.
We have only experienced 3 days of traveling and we can not wait to check out the other countries.
-Pigeons in San Marco square are very brave and hungry
-We think some one likes Ken, what do you think??
-The drive from Pordenone to Maribor was long but beautiful. The highway is surrounded by amazing green valleys and small village towns.
-And if you want to fit in or attract the most gorgeous women, you better be wearing white, tight, jeans… maybe even Capri’s?
Lastly, we can not wait for our first tournament. So far the trip has been wonderful and we’re looking forward to the upcoming events. GRATSI!
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