#euromavs Italy Blog: Post #5
by Marcus Tyus and Ben Kositzke
Part 1 - MARCUS TYUS
Ciao, everyone! Our time in Italy this week has been the best trip of my life. I never thought I'd experience some of the things I have these last few days. It's been interesting learning about new places – I think I'm most excited about Rome.
Florence has been the best part of the trip for me so far though, especially with the shopping. There are so many shops and markets to visit near the central part of town, it's ridiculous. And at most of the shops, you can barter on prices with the vendors. I could literally spend all day walking around to shop (though that might be a bad thing!).
Today we met a few local kids who offered to show us around the city and led us to a few interesting attractions. Being with them, we saw things that normal tourists might not see – these people really knew the ins and outs of their city. Thanks to them, we went to the best gelato spot in Florence, and they also showed us some really cool magic tricks that I'll try on friends when I get back to the United States.
Tomorrow morning we're headed to Rome. We have three games in the next four days, so it will be a busy end to our trip. I'm looking forward to seeing Rome – I've heard it has a lot of history and art to offer, and I'm excited that we get to end our trip in one of the most famous cities in the world.
Buona notte!
Part 2 - BEN KOSITZKE
So far our time in Italy has been awesome, and I have experienced things that I never could have seen or learned in the United States. The history here is astounding. Today was our second and last day in the amazing city of Florence, and we had most of the day to go out and explore on our own. The players and staff all went shopping and walked the streets, and some of us even met a few others from Nebraska.
One of the main draws that everyone enjoys in Florence is the open-air markets, where vendors sell all kinds of goods. They have everything from t-shirts to leather belts, and watches to counterfeit Prada handbags. In the markets you can bargain with the sellers to get the best price. I was part of a conversation today with a man trying to sell a “Prada” bag for 80 euros; we asked if it was fake and he replied, “Yes, but it is a good fake!” Eventually he brought the price down to 20 euros, and just about everyone there purchased an item or two.
Throughout the trip we've eaten pizza and pasta, and maybe best of all, gelato. I know I've had all three at least once a day since we arrived, and it's been very good every time. One thing that's surprised me is that some restaurants don't offer free refills on drinks, which is so common at home. I learned that the hard way over lunch when I wasn't allowed anymore Coke, so I resorted to walking to a vendor across the street to buy a water.
Overall, our trip is going very well and has been so memorable for everyone. We leave for Rome tomorrow morning, and I know all the guys are excited to see the sights over the next five days. Keep up with our travels and our games here on the blog!
