Since I've last written we've played two games, and actually won the one last Sunday! It was such a great feeling. I didn't even play very well, but we had multiple players in double figures (4 out of the 5 foreigners including me) so it was the needed team effort we needed to win. It was against a team that's not too good, but contains Doneeka Hodges, who played at LSU and even was my assistant coach one summer when I was 16. She had a really good game though.
Coach gave us the next day off even though we had a Wednesday game in Venice. Kiki, Mol, and her friend Erin decided to go off to Taormina for the day. I had been there last year with the HPC group, so I knew it was a great spot. Again, it was so nice to get away and get a break, and the four of us had an awesome, and adventurous time.
Unlike the last time I went, we went EVERYWHERE possible on top of this little mountain. We hit the Greek Theatre ruins first, and then even though Taormina is on top of a mountain already, we continued to climb these seemingly endless stairs to another destination. When we got there, we caught a ride up to another mountain to another smaller town. It was a surreal experience at times, we saw some FANTASTIC views (at the penalty of a lot of walking and stair-mastering), so we got lots of pics, including a snow-capped Mt. Etna, the volcano.
This trip (yesterday) that we were on in Venice, Coach gave us the permission to head into the city for a few hours as long as we were back for lunchtime. It ended up being 4 players and 4 staff guys, and the two hours we ended with were just teasers, but the city is amazing! It lived up to all my expectations. It's so unique and full of character, and the gondolas that take you through the winding canals of the sinking city are fantastic. Such a romantic place as well that everyone told me that I have to return there with Morgan :)
Venezia is of course famous for Carnival, so they sell what we would consider Mardi Gras masks all over the city, along with blown glass. Now, I've been saying for years that when I have a place of my own, I want to collect blown glass because I just LOVE it, but it's just too breakable, and too expensive at the moment. However, when that day gets closer and closer, I will need to take a longer visit to Venice to stock up because one of the islands right off the city (Murano) specializes in blown glass. I had next to no time to shop, but I did manage to get a gorgeous glass necklace that I hope to get to wear soon!
My video I made at Teatro Greco and Mr. Etna!
That's great, Jami. Congrats on the win.
ReplyDeleteJami - It so reminded me of our honeymoon in Greece and the ampitheater on the Isle of Thasos. Congrats of the victory! I'll see Morgan tomorrow at the Ole MS/LSU baseball game probably or at least sometime this weekend. He brought a new friend, Cody, to the Harvard game Tuesday night and we had a great time. Then, Eric and I went to the PMAC and watched the Lady Tigers play poorly against Louisville. Guess who the head ref was? "Ponytail" of course!!! We had to laugh at that.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to spend a little time in Venice. I wish I could convince EOP to go to Italy but we are finally going to be able to start repairing the condo in the next few weeks as they are finally replacing the windowsill now!!! Yeah!!
We also went to the NCAA Men's rounds 1 and 2 to see the Tigers and I sat with this guy who was an administrative assistant under Coach Gunther. He knew all about you and said it was a mistake that LSU didn't recruit you further cause they needed and outside shooter to assist Augustus. I told him I was personally glad they didn't cause we wouldn't have gotten to spend as much time with you if you'd been in B.R. (That was selfish of me I know but I meant it.)
Well it's nearly midnight hear so I'll say "bella ciao".
Pam
Hey! Yeah on the Win and the vacation, it looks beautiful there that time of year especially comapred to the wastelands of Texas! I love the video, its cool to hear your voice! Have a great week!
ReplyDelete