TicketsJune 25, 2010
The University of Cincinnati volleyball team is currently embarking on a 12-day journey through Brazil where the team will play against Brazilian teams while experiencing the Brazilian culture firsthand. Below is the most recent update on the trip from senior Lindsay Upton.
Day 3:
Hey everyone! Upton here! Today was a great day in Sao Paulo! We started at the Polo hotel where we stayed last night and ate a great breakfast of fresh fruit, lots of different breads, eggs, and some sort of sausage dish. Becca (Refenes) made the discovery that the milk was not, in fact, real milk but made from powder. I tried it and couldn't even tell the difference. Then we started the trip to the gym, which took about two hours, so we watched the movie Sahara to pass the time.
We ended up playing at the Paulistano Club, which happens to be one of the most exclusive country clubs in Sao Paulo. They were redoing the floor in the competition gym, so we played in their practice gym which was very nice and had a sport court. We played tennis and served and passed a little to warm up, then we peppered and hit and the game began. We came out a little rusty after two days of nonstop traveling and A LOT of sitting. We lost the first game, 26-24, but came out much better in the second game and ended up winning the next three. We struggled a bit in the fifth game and ended up losing. All and all it was a relatively good day and it felt great to get in the gym and get our blood flowing. After the game we ate at the club. It was so good! I got the Especial which was a filet sandwich with cheese, tomato, and bacon on a sort of pita flat bread.
Then we loaded up the bus and made a stop at a historical statue in the city. We had fun taking pictures and climbing all over it because it was so big! Next we drove to the hotel and I have to say traffic in this city is CRAZY! I'll never complain about Cincinnati traffic again! We saw a motorcycle run straight into a car and a public bus that had at least 100 people on it!
Anyways we made it to the hotel, Formula 1 to be exact, and boy were we in for a surprise. BUNK BEDS! Who would have thought?! The shower is literally right next to the bed and the toilet is in the closet. Very space efficient! We went to the mall across the street and some of us got Brazil shirts to wear for the (soccer) game tomorrow. We're waking up and heading back to the mall where we have reservations at a great spot to watch the game. I can't wait! GO BRAZIL! Look back tomorrow night for Becca's account of our day. Tchau!!
Lindsay Upton - #12