As the George Mason women's soccer team embarks on a 10-day trip overseas to Spain and France, GoMason.com will blog with the Patriots during the whole trip right here. Keep in touch with what adventures the Patriots go on and the experiences they have.
March 16, 2013
Waking up at 4:30 this morning was rough. But don't feel sorry for us because we just spent the past week together touring Spain and France. Everyone's tired but you can sense the bittersweetness as our trip comes to an end. It's sad to leave but exciting to be home. Many people can only dream of an experience like the one we just had.
Reminiscing on the week, I can't even explain everything we did because there was so much. The opportunity to play foreign teams (still managing to have our own fans) and drawing solid spring results was a lot of fun. Watching our team play with the passion they had after the FC Barcelona match was enlightening. We are coming home with two out of three wins and a new kind of education that cannot be found in the classroom. The ability to practice Spanish and for some learn it for the first time was incredible. What better way to learn a new language than be thrown into an environment where you are forced to speak only that language? We went from looking at beautiful beaches to incredible churches and from soccer fields to local pastry shops. We learned to adapt to a new environment and although things aren't the same, we embraced the differences. We had the opportunity to volunteer and even with a language barrier, we were able to make a difference.
Last night, we had a farewell dinner at a traditional Spanish restaurant where we ate Paella and all types of tapas. As a senior, this is a sad goodbye but also a happy one to end on such a positive note. The memories made on this trip will forever have a special place in my life. I am sure every single one of us is extremely grateful for this life changing experience. Well, it's time to takeoff!
Adios Spain. See you all back Stateside!
Cami
March 14, 2013
Today was KK's and my first morning as roommates. I'm pretty sure we were given the honeymoon suite because everyone's room was much smaller than ours. Anyway we were awoken 15 minutes earlier than we needed to be (thanks KK) and were sent to run on the beach. Then we were given a glorious 20 minutes to get showered and dressed before breakfast. We were told to dress warmly, so Emma wore shorts and a t-shirt and Tiana wore a sweater with no jacket. Tiana told me not to tell anyone that she was cold because she didn't want to be wrong. BUT SHE WAS.
Then we left for the two-hour ride to France. Karina, Nicole, and I used this time to recharge our intellect and purge our thoughts in preparation to appreciate the museum of Dali by sleeping the entire way. Then we went into a really beautiful church where pictures were prohibited.
After everyone got lunch and shopped, it was time to board the bus again. Cam demonstrated her talents as world class French Canadian Chinese model and showed us all how to walk a runway. When we went to the museum we all walked around and witnessed the genius of Dali while questioning his sanity. Liz Agiato liked the museum a little too much and we practically had to drag her out.
Then it was time for dinner. At dinner we were served seafood, toasts were made, tears were shed and pictures were taken.
-Courtney-
March 13, 2013
The team spent the day in Costa Brava taking a tour of the city and volunteering in a local "soup kitchen." In the evening, the team played its second international match against C.F. Lloret.
Click here to watch a video of the team volunteering.
To view photos from the day, click here.
March 12, 2013
What an eventful day!!!
We had a nice recovery jog around town this morning after a great game last night. We received a lot of looks jogging with 22 people around town, but we were able to get our legs moving before we headed to our delicious breakfast. The fresh juice (peach, pineapple, orange) is aahhhhmazing...
After breakfast we headed straight to the one and only... Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona. We took a tour of the Camp Nou museum where we learned of all the incredible accomplishments that Barça has done. Case after case was filled with huge trophies and old jerseys, cleats, documents, etc. dating back to the start of the fútbol club. It was wild. Then.......... We took pictures with.........MESSI
After the museum tour was the official fan store of FC Barcelona where they took all of our money.... literally. Actually, just mine. Unfortunately, I was the first (and hopefully the last) one to get pick-pocketed... I have come to the conclusion that I was an easy victim in that store, like a little child in a candy shop with googly eyes and grabby hands. (And I'm pretty sure my purse was wide open so I basically gave them my wallet.) LUCKILY, I only had a travel Visa card in there that my amazing mother already cancelled and had another one sent to me.
And shoutout to my lovely teammates for trying to help me find my wallet and to Emily for spotting me buying my gifts at the store. I truly have the best teammates.
After that wonderful adventure we had time to relax, get lunch (with an amazing dessert), and pack up for our next part of the trip.
Now, here is the BEST, most memorable part of the trip and definitely something we will all remember for the rest of our lives: Barcelona vs. AC Milan, Champions League match. The atmosphere was insane in the membrane. The way they show their love for the game and support for their team is eye-opening. The consistent chants, cheers, noises, etc. kept us involved and made us feel like a part of their community and the Barcelona family. And that was just the start...
We saw Lionel Messi, the best player in the world (and coincidently my boyfriend), score two goals in a 4-0 result. The way they moved the ball was a form of art. So creative. So inspiring. So...GOOD! The soccer was incredible but the pictures, stories, and videos will never do this [experience] justice. This was beyond something we could have ever imagined, and again, something we should all be so thankful for the opportunity to be in such an incredible atmosphere. I just can't even explain it.
We're off to a late night pastry stop at the local bakery, conveniently located on the corner by our hotel (and open 24 hours).
Up early tomorrow for a 7:30 am commute to Costa Brava with a day full of volunteering and a game tomorrow night!
Time for bed. Probably won't be able to sleep after this unexplainable night at Camp Nou.
-Kelly Pizzingrill
Photo gallery from day four
March 11, 2013
Wow.
I think that is a sufficient summary of the trip thus far. It's the end of day three and I already feel like we've been here for a week with all of the things we have been able to accomplish. What an incredible trip.
Today we had breakfast (another spread like the one Courtney mentioned yesterday) and then headed off for a guided tour of Barcelona. Our tour guide, appropriately named Virginia, pointed out all of the important/cool things about Barcelona, including La Sagrada Familia (a beautiful unfinished church started by Gaudi that we get to visit in a few days), las Ramblas (the main road of shops that leads from the city center down to the water), the Christopher Columbus statue (in which he isn't even pointing in the right direction toward America!), and of course, the streets in which you could find the best shoes (which is of the utmost importance when taking our team on a tour).
We got a chance to see the Cathedral de Barcelona, which was absolutely stunning, and, most importantly, had a gargoyle shaped like a unicorn (which is one of our player's favorite animals)! Then, we drove up to the higher side of the city to check out the Olympic stadium from the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. We went to a terrace that was fashioned from old beer bottles, and overlooked the entire city. Obviously, that was amazing. I'd say one of the cooler Olympic venues that we saw was when we passed by the diving arena, where the platforms were high up and faced the city, so it looked like divers were diving into the city. Craziness.
We then headed back to the Catalunya Center, or the center of Barcelona, to do some shopping and exploring. I got to enjoy a nice lunch with the freshmen and Liz Agiato where we ate tapas and paella, a true Spanish lunch! Amanda and I then went back the Barcelona Cathedral to see the inside, which in one word was surreal. We went up to the roof and had another incredible view of Barcelona, where we could see all the way out to the Mediterranean Sea. Many of my teammates were able to buy awesome gifts to bring home to their families, and of course, there were many clothes purchases J
And finally, we just got back from our first game! We played C.E. Sant Gabriel, and lost 1-0 on a late goal. But we played well and held our own against a talented opponent. We all agree that they haven't quite learned the concept of turf over here, because their field was essentially a slab of concrete with some turf over top. Not very fun to dive on, or to run on for that matter, but we handled ourselves pretty well despite it all, and were pleased with the playing start to the trip.
But now it's close to midnight and I'm absolutely beat from all of this incredible exploring. Looking forward to another fun-filled day tomorrow!
Until next time, hasta luego!
Lyndse H.
#30
To view a photos from day three, click here
March 10, 2013
Blog entry from Courtney Kim....
Today, we woke up at the crack of dawn (7:45 aka, 1:45 am at home) in order to make breakfast before practice. I am not a morning person therefore the completely amazing and ridiculously beautiful breakfast they served was only credited as delicious in my eyes, which I can tell you, does no justice to the spread. First, they had all these fruits such as cantaloupe, kiwi, pineapple, and oranges. Second, there were these incredible eggs. I can't think of another word besides incredible. Third, and lastly, the soy milk in Spain is awesome. After I had the soy milk, I felt like I could die happy...after my first day apparently. It tasted like liquidized marshmallow fluff. NOM. Then we went to soccer practice. There, we had our pregame.
Then we went to the hotel to get showered and changed and then we went to the beach. Nicole and I, big sis/little sis, looked for sea glass and pretty little shells. SUDDENLY, we were approached by a man carrying coconut. He was practically shoving it into our hands telling us how fresh and "coconutty" it was when Nicole went into official big sis mode and saved me. She crossed her arms and said NO. I was in awe of her power. He was so frightened of her obvious authority he moved on to his next buyers. Very unfortunately, those two happened to be Karina and Casey, and somehow they were swindled into purchasing the coconut, which Karina later dubbed as "disgusting." Casey, incidentally, very much liked the coconut, so it wasn't a complete loss.
After Nicole extended her super power authority, we saved them from the coconut man, who claimed to love America, we continued down the boardwalk. Not long after, we saw children climbing up a triangular rope jungle gym that was about 30 feet high. Naturally, I had to climb it. So, I called Karina, Nicole and Casey to follow. Karina and Casey followed, even though Casey was wearing a dress and it was windy (Casey should also be applauded for her bravery). However I found that Nicole's super powers do have a kryptonite, heights! So she didn't climb with us but she did get a nice picture of us almost at the top.
When we decided that it was time to eat lunch, we ran into the freshmen all eating at a restaurant right next to the beach. We were about to sit down when the waiter, speaking in Spanish, spoke very rudely about Karina, and Karina, being highly affronted of course, refused to grace the waiter with our presence. We settled instead for a stir fry place that took 45 minutes to prepare our food.
Next, we traveled a famous park by a famous architect...that's all the details I know. (Cami later informed me his name was Gaudi). Oh, there was also a dragon that was meant to be the focal piece of the park. Here, there were vendors who sold magnets, which they assumed we had never heard of before because they performed many demonstrations as to how the magnets worked. There was also a LOT of jewelry. That was lovely, everyone got a something. Nicole, Karina, Casey, and I all tried to find this mystery dragon and instead we came across a circle where apparently only couples and honeymooners went. We were slightly out of place. BUT we did find the dragon...except that it was an iguana and not very intimidating at all.
Finally, I would like it to be known that today I pet nine different puppies - and a ferret, named Ricky.
Bye for now!
-Courtney Chloe Kim
Photos from day two of the trip, click here
March 9, 2013
The team arrives in Spain, does a quick sightseeing tour of Barcelona and cathes the FC Barcelona vs. Deportivo La Coruna La Liga match in the evening!
DAY ONE VIDEO 
To view more photos from the first day of the trip, click here!
March 8, 2013
Sooo we made it! This is an accomplishment... We're ALL at the airport and the best part: we were on time!
I repeat: GMUWS is safe and sound at Dulles International Airport sitting at our gate: 44B.
The excitement is continuously building, it feels so surreal. I don't think it'll set in as reality until we are standing in Barcelona with chills down our spines from the beautiful views that we are about to see.
But, for now, we wait.
We were successful in our packing strategies and staying under 50 lbs (except for Sydney with the 58 pounder). Katie made sure to let the security guard know that our passports weren't fake and now everyone is filling up with our favorite restaurant: Chipotle.
WE'RE ABOUT TO LEAVE AMERICA! I just can't grasp that idea. I am about to embark on a crazy adventure with the best teammates and coaches that I could ever imagine sharing this experience with.
Everyone is in a great mood and the smiles are contagious. It's time we start this adventure, but before we do we would like to thank everyone who contributed to our trip and all that helped us to take advantage of this amazing opportunity! This is truly a blessing that we get to go to España together!!
¡Muchas gracias!
¡Hasta luego!
It's a beautiful day to fly.
Kelly Pizzingrilli
March 6, 2013
Six weeks ago, a player on our team started a countdown on the chalkboard in our locker room that read "Countdown to Spain: 42 Days." And each day, as the number has gotten smaller and smaller, the incredible dream that we as a team would indeed be getting to embark upon this international adventure has been slowly sinking in as a reality.
And now, here we stand just a few short days away from said trip and I have to say, it still doesn't feel real. After the years that we have spent refereeing games in the rain, collecting trash, and hosting camp after camp to fundraise for this trip, I think I speak for the team when I say that, although hopeful, we felt anxious that this day would never arrive. See, our program has a history of taking an abroad trip once every four years, so that at one time in your career here at Mason you are able to travel abroad with the team. Unfortunately, due to elevated rates of abroad travel coinciding with years of financial hardship, this is the first trip the program is taking since 2008, when they travelled to Brazil. All that to say, this trip has been a long time coming.
And yet, the tickets are booked, the flights prepared, and the only thing that stands between us and the trip of a lifetime are a few days, and for some of us, some dreadful midterms.
Thankfully, the reception of a concrete itinerary has given us a light at the end of the tunnel to this seemingly endless week of anticipation. Here's a little taste of what our trip has in store!
Friday the 8th we say "hasta luego" to America as we depart from Dulles, and arrive in London at the historic Heathrow Airport on Saturday the 9th (London time of course). Then after a short hour layover, we board a flight from Heathrow to Barcelona-El-Prat Airport, entering Spain and beginning our adventure.
And let me tell you, we sure don't waste any time! The 9th is a full day, beginning with meeting our trip coordinator, manager, and bilingual tour guide Silvia! On most international trips, this liaison proves to be your best friend by the end of the trip thanks to all the time that you spend with them, so plan to hear a lot about our friend Silvia.
After meeting her, we will be checking into our hotel in the city center of Barcelona, where we will be lodging for the majority of our trip. We then get to explore the incredible city of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and second largest city in Spain. To conclude this epic introduction day, we get to go watch the world superpower soccer (fútbol) club FC Barcelona play La Liga competitor Deportivo La Coruna in the historic Nou Camp Stadium.
The 10th and 11th consist of more sightseeing, including a two hour guided tour of Barcelona on Monday, hitting sights such as the Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria (the public market), and Sagrada Familia Church, among others. That evening is when the business portion of the trip starts, as we take on our first of three opponents in an exhibition match versus Spanish professional team C.E. Sant Gabriel. This is bound to be quite a matchup, as C.E. Sant Gabriel competes in Spain's national top level, and will surely display a Spanish flair that most of us have never witnessed firsthand. Nonetheless, we have been preparing since the day Winter break concluded for what we knew would be three tough matches in Spain, and are excitedly awaiting our chance to live up to the test.
The 12th is highlighted by another FC Barcelona game, this time in a UEFA Champions League matchup, as Barça takes on AC Milan for the second leg of their contest. This is destined to be a game for the ages, as Barcelona enters the match down by two goals, after losing the first leg 2-0 in Milan about two weeks ago. In order to win, Barcelona must score enough goals to aggregate a score higher than Milan, which means as it stands, they need to score three goals or more to advance to the Round of 8 in the Champions League. Needless to say, with the stakes this high, it's going to be the closest we come to a bullfight while we're in Spain, that's for sure!
On the 13th, we relocate to Costa Brava, or Platja d'Aro, a coastal region of Catalonia. En route to Costa Brava however, we will be taking a slight detour into the city of Girona, where we will get to take part in volunteering at a soup kitchen which serves to the elderly and homeless. We are looking forward to this part of our trip, where we will get to do something that is "bigger than ourselves" as coach Drake would say, and serve - something we as a team not only enjoy, but take seriously. Later on that evening, after we arrive to our destination in Platja d'Aro, we take on our second competitor, C.F. Lloret, a team who participates in the third Catalan amateur division. We will rest our heads at Hotel NM Suites that evening in Costa Brava, where we will spend the nights of the 13th and the 14th.
The 14th finds us in France, for a quick day trip to Perpignan, located just over the Spanish/French border. After a guided tour through the city, we will be welcomed as special guests to a dinner reception/barbecue hosted by the city council of Platja d'Aro, held at the local yacht club. The next day we head back to Barcelona for a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia Catholic Church, a famous basilica located in Barcelona. The evening of the 15th has us slated for our final friendly match against R.C.D. Espanyol, a perennial powerhouse in Spanish women's soccer.
On our final full day, the 16th of March, we head to Montserrat, the site of the Benedictine Abbey and the rumored location of the Holy Grail. Following the guided tour through this historic site, we will get to take one last stroll through Barcelona to pick up our family's souvenirs and other last minute needs.
Bright and early on the morning of the 17th, we begin the journey back to Mason, this time with a two-hour layover in Heathrow. We will arrive back into to officially end our international tour.
Phew, let me catch my breath. Quite an itinerary huh? We are absolutely thrilled about the opportunity that this trip is presenting us as a program and as individuals. The cultural experience, the soccer experience, and the life experience that we will all benefit from in spending nine days together in Spain is something that we will never be able to quantify in gratitude.
We hope that you'll enjoy keeping up with us as we escapade across Europe. I know that we're bound to run into some crazy adventures, and look forward to you getting to be a part of this experience.
Until we meet again, I simply say, these may be the three longest days of my life as anticipation takes hold of me, but I can't wait to begin this adventure!
Lyndse H.
#30
