Day 3, by Libby Dachenhaus

The team after dinner at the gym

View of Belluno from the gym parking lot

Today, like every other day, was an adventure. After eating breakfast, we were allowed to wonder the streets of Pordenone. I have never walked so much in my life as I have on this trip. Although the streets were busy they were not near as crowded as they were when we arrived on Sunday. We shopped and ate gelato and pizza like we do every day. In Italy, it is custom for shops to close for about an hour and a half around midday, so they can get lunch. We gathered together again around three and got on the bus. The hour and a half bus ride to Belluno didnt seem long at all because of the beautiful scenery. The Dolomiti mountain range was one of the coolest things I have seen thus far on our trip. Once we got off the bus, we went up four sets of escalators to the city at the top of one of the mountains. The buildings were just as beautiful as they were in Venice and it was nice to walk around the city. After the traditional team picture in front of a random building, we went back down the mountainside to the brightly colored sports center. The team we played was monsterous. I feared for my face, but I dug some hard hit balls. Dinner was an experience in itself as we ate alongside the Italian team. We have improved so much as a team in comparison to yesterday and our previous practices. I look forward to seeing how we start off in the tournament and am excited for more late night gelato-ing. I dont ever want to come home! 
ps we survived the earthquake...dont worry.

More pictures at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104