Wednesday (finally catching up!)

I feel like i need to start off this post by letting you know that Aly might be going home. Well not seriously, but she has been continuously threatening Kyle, JR and Walter. Kyle has told Tricia about a sharpie-to-the-head instance that could have caused serious damage. Walter feels extremely fearful of his life. Tricia has warned Aly, but the punches and dirty looks keep coming. Hopefully she will get her anger under control and no one will get hurt. As Always, we'll keep you updated on how this story unfolds. Now back to the regular scheduled programing.

WEDNESDAY started out with a slightly slower slap to the alarm clock. We all shuffled to breakfast and ate the normal fruit salad and croissant with nutella and come sort of cold lunch meat. We immediately came back upstairs and passed out again. Erin had gotten confirmation that her bags would be there at 8.30, and sure enough, SHE GOT HER BAGS! We all were excited for her. She could skate! But even with this excitement we fell back asleep but not before we set the alarm with just enough time to wake up and slap some shoes on, and out the door to jog.

I went and did a very quick bike/band workout with Mike, so I was back soon and got to talk to Spencer who stayed up just to talk to me. Score. Then the girls got back and Erin and I went out in search of phone cards, which we found and I've been enjoying ever since. When they work. Lol. By the time I got done at the post office it was time for lunch, which consisted of whoa, more pasta. And bread. And veggies. But it was good. Very good. As always. The boys went and got pizza. And they ate lunch. Haha.

After lunch we came back upstairs and went back to sleep for a bit, then got ready for practice at 2. Practice was with New Zealand and their 2 skaters. We did some relays, now that we finally had Erin back. We did some quick stuff too and JR hit a 8.5. Aly hit a 9.4 and I was close behind with I think a 9.5ish. And that was on extremely debreeish ice and then we even found a ciggy butt in the ice. Lol. We stayed on for a good bit and then got off, did our jog, gave the Canadian boys a smile after they said, "Allo. 'ow a' 'ou?" and then ran out the door for cool down.

It was about 4 when we got done and we hurried home to go change and get ready to go shopping in the city! I was excited cause we rode the bus, which was an adventure trying to remember which bus it was and then once we were on, trying to read the signs to see if we had passed the stop. Lol. Eventually, my friend I made sitting next to me had us get off at Piazza Whalter. It was like we had stepped into a different world. Everything was so picturesque and just so well like Aly said, "Italian". Lol.

The cathedral that was the first thing we saw when we got off the bus.

More of the "Italian" street view.

And another view as it's getting darker.

Its just so beautiful, no matter if you're in the alps or down the street!

We separated out and were meeting back at 7, so we had 2 hours to shop. we explored a but and found that the Europeans, or maybe just Italians really like their styles and will pay a pretty penny for them. So after we ahhed and ooed over this heel and that dress, we finally found a few stores in our price range. I bought a skirt, a dress, and some boots all for really good prices. Aly bought some shoes and a pretty scarf. And Erin bought some cologne and a a sweater and a necklace. Good shopping for us girls! But as soon as 7 rolled around, we found the boys, and they're shopping almost beat ours. Not by the quantity, but Kyle and JR both bought some pretty things for the girlfriends. I'm not going to say what, because I don't know who all is reading this, but the boys did a good job. As soon as everyone was back together, we headed to a pizza place and got some amazing pizza margherita and some other choices, and then Aly had some tiramisou to top it off. Man let me tell you. Aly out eats the boys. Maybe that's why they are scared of her. Hmm. Anyways we were all completely beat after that, and went to go catch the bus as Walter's parents drove up! I guess he had given them directions. Pretty sweet huh? Well once we got back to the hotel, we pretty much passed out as soon as we got through the door. It was an awesome day, skating and exploring. I know all of us are getting super excited to skate. We can't wait to get out there and kick some major foreign butt! til next time!

-Ciao di Cielo.

P.S. Thanks to Kyle for the awesome pics! The cord didn't make it here so you'll have to wait for those awesome sledding pics!