Italy Tour - Day 9

Tuesday, May 22

7:15 am, Vatican City - We slam our breakfast quickly and load up the bus nice and early today, heading to another country - well, kind of...the Vatican City. Governed as it's own city-state, the Vatican City is home of the Catholic Church and the Pope, bursting with priceless history. We meet back up with Jac at the walls of the Vatican, again passing so many people waiting in line to enter. We're starting to feel guilty about never having to wait.

Similar to yesterday, once we get into the Vatican City, the rain clouds start to roll in. The rain here is funny - it pours for 10 minutes, then is sunny, then drizzles for an hour, then is perfect outside. Jac is giving us a thorough tour of the entrance courtyard when the rain starts to come down in sheets and we hustle inside the museum, upon Coach Cunningham's instruction (if it were up to Jac, we would probably still be outside learning about every small picture soaking wet).

As we enter the museum, our guys find plenty of statues to impersonate. The god of athletics is one of the favorite.
Not quite sure this is how most tourists act in the walls of the Vatican.

The halls are so impressive, with not only the walls being decorated with ancient artifacts like maps and statues, but the ceilings are almost even more detailed with paintings.

We make our way to the Sistine Chapel, which because it is considered a holy place, does not allow photographs. A few more "NO PHOTO, NO VIDEO" commands ring out as we stand in the chapel, in awe of quite possibly the most amazing paintings in the world. It almost doesn't feel real being there. Another place for people to put on their bucket list!

11:30 am, Vatican City - We exit the musem to enter St. Peter's Basilica. For most, this is the most amazing sight we have seen. Jac explains that it took 100 years to construct the church and you can definitely see why - each column, archway, inch of wall or ceiling is so detailed with paintings, designs, and statues. Nothing compares.

One of the more impressive aspects to the church is the golden Altar of the Chair of Peter. A massive altar in the middle of an already enormous church.

We make our way outside to see where the Pope gives his outdoor sermon to the people every week. Unfortunately, due to the rain, we are not able to see this live.

2:00 pm, Rome - After leaving Vatican City, we proceed to our last lunch in Italy, a place called Spaghetteria L'Archetto Pizzeria. It is an exhausting hike in the rain to the restaurant, but once we are there, it is totally worth it. 100% fantastic meals in Italy!

6:30 pm, Rome - Our final international game is tonight against the Under-19 Veritas Basketball Club in Rome. They are preparing to play in the Italian U19 National Championship game next week, so it is good for them to get some tough competition from us. For all of the missed shots and dead legs we had in the prior two games, our guys are the complete opposite tonight. Shots are falling, guys are crashing the boards and taking care of the basketball. It was a close game through the first quarter, but eventually we ran away with the game, winning 72-44. A nice way to finish the trip and end on a high note. All three teams we played this week were extraordinary hosts and great competition. We couldn't thank each group enough for the experience.

9:30 pm, Rome - After the game, the opposing coaches gave us a great local place to eat called La Rosa Rossa. There is a nice back area that can accomodate our entire group and we share our last Italian dinner as a group. Our seniors got up and gave a heart-felt toast that topped off an amazing evening and trip. We really do have the most special group of student-athletes any program could ask for. In fact, on the bus ride back to the hotel tonight, we had the privilege of hearing a couple of our players sing some Nat King Cole and Fiddler on the Roof over the bus' PA system. So talented!