Castel Gandolfo, Italy
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Ah, it was phenominal! The freedom, the flow, even the smell of the soccer field! Nothing beats it. It is my sanctuary, where I find my peace, my soul meets my body. Last night was one of the happiest moments, better than any discoteca or club. No beer tastes better, no girl is sexier, no food is more delicious than the feeling I have on the pitch. Yes, I practiced with the JCU team last night for 2 straight hours without hurting myself. My calves started cramping a little, but they will ease into the feeling of acceleration and agility. It hurt sooo good! I played right wing, actually I played the entire right flank because there was a n00b (an untalented player) on the left defense. I didn't mind the work and the running. I had 2 goals and 2 assists in a 1 1/2-hr small sided 9v9 game.
Mister or the coach played with us, he scored 2 goals too (he was on the other team) and him and I had our jostles and scrums back and forth. I knew he liked my play, maybe I'm cocky, or maybe it's my name on the roster for Thursday's game!!
! WooHoo! Some kids have been to all the practices (2 weeks worth) and haven't played a game, not even gotten a jersey! And here's the kid that cut himself (everybody knows my story, even mister). Mister is an interesting character. He's pretty short, i guess about my size 5'9". He's got semi-long greased, back, black hair and a stern face. He dresses pretty fashionably at practices: jeans and a nice shirt and nice leather jacket. He only speaks Italian and makes fun of all the America-Italian kids. He reminds me of a ganster mafia guy, but he's really entertaining. Anyway we tried speaking after practice but I was tired and my italian wasn't making any sense. The jist of the convo was "you're ok to play on thursday right? sign up with Kim at JCU, be here for a light practice on wed, and I'll see you on Thur." The italians on the team are a different style of soccer too. They're flashy, yet lazy. Like they won't run down a ball, but they'll try to make an amazing pass or move. My American style of "hustle" and "attrition" is what got me into the line-up, I believe.
Yesterday morning I went for a jog, to get ready for practice. I didn't realize what I was doing, but I ran all the way up Toscolo, the highest mountain top near
Frascati. The displacement in altitude may be equivalent to Lookout Mountain in Golden, CO. The distance of the run up the road may be the distance up Lookout Mountain in Golden, CO; maybe 10-12 km
. It probably took me an hour twenty to go up and 20 minutes to come down. But the view up there is spectacular! You can see Roma to the northwest (not the sea though because of the thick smog), then
Grottaferrata and
Rocca di Papa to the west, and
Monte Porzio Catone to the east. The south is just mountain after mountain.
Over the mountains to the south is a volcanic lake, home to small cities
Marino,
Castel Gandolfo, Albano, and
Ariccia. Castel Gandolfo is where the Pope retreats to in the summer. There's beach for about 2 km at the north end of the lake where street vendors lay out there watches, belts, knock-off D&C purses, paintings, cds, dvds, whatever makes a street vendor money. During the summertime I bet this place is bumpin'! Anyways it was cool to go a little away from frascati and Rome.
In summary: I have to admit it's getting better, it's getting better all the time (it can't get no worse)! Oh I admit it's getting better, It's getting better, since Joe can run!! Beatles remix by DJoe
Comments
Soccer Gods
Go Joe - I wish I were there to see your first game - score and win. I am very excited for you. This is your time to shine!
I think you missed your calling (still not too late) - writing and journalism! It is wonderful to hear about your adventures (mostly) - it will just keep getting better.
Love, M