BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Following six games at 30-meters over the course of three days, the Connecticut College men’s water polo team left the sites of the Colossero and Fori Imperial and Musei Vatican, Cappella Sistine and Catterdrale di San Pierrot in the city of Rome to head to Perugia in the continuation of the team’s trip to Italy.
“This trip has shown so much history to the players,” noted head coach Matt Anderson. “They are beyond interested in what they are learning and have shown so much attention to everything we are doing.”
After leaving Rome, the team stopped in the village of Todi to walk the town’s cobblestone streets (mostly up-hill) to tour some churches and eat some more Italian food.
Upon arriving in Perugia, the team found what many view Italy to be – amazing views, green hills, beautiful streets and friendly vendors. The area of the Umbria region counts on tourism as the residents’ primary source of income. Unfortunately, recent earthquakes in the area have kept a good portion of visitors away per Anderson, even though the area was not where the earthquakes hit. Visitors remain concerned that any portion of central Italy will again have earthquakes – and continue to stay away from the region.
The Camels continue to represent their namesake well as the team is logging 5-7 miles of walking each day.
“The walking doesn’t feel like the numbers suggest–if you have ever been to Italy you understand what I mean,” noted Anderson.
“The people of Perugia love their espresso – strong and short and inexpensive (hear that Starbucks?)…and the best part is the hotels have machines that make you as many as you want and as much as you want….no charge,” added Anderson.
“Today the players had the best wood fired pizza they have had. Pizzeria Mediterranea even made a couple of Nutella Pizza’s for Dylan Pinckert and Arturo’s Freitas…yes a chocolate pizza….when in Rome…eat chocolate!”
While in Perugia, the Camels are visting multiple museums and will be touring the village of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order and St. Clare the founder of the Poor Sisters. The 19th-century St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, the patron saint of students, was also born in Assisi.
Outside of tourism, the team is also practicing/playing water polo as the squad departs the hotel by 9:00 a..m. each morning and trains each night at 9:00 p.m. Connecticut has recently been playing with Libertas Rai Nantes Perugia, who just earned a promotion in Serie B. The host team has its finals this weekend, as the Camels are trying to help Libertas Rai Nantes Perugia win it all this week.
“The amount of water polo we are playing has been amazing — we have played 1/3 of our regular season game amount in four days already.” concluded Anderson.
“Watching the team interact and trade gear with all the teams truly shows the love and respect that water polo players have for each other regardless of the language difference.”
Next up for the team is Florence with future games against Zero9 Roma Pallanuoto and S.C. Tuscolano Pallanuto still to come over the weekend.
Ciao!
