William and Mary graduate Emily Correal is preparing to play her first season of international basketball in Italy with Fila San Martino. LadySwish is thrilled that Emily has agreed to blog about the experience. This is her first post.
Ciao from Italy!!
I have just finished my first week in Italy!!! It has been
everything and more that I imagined it would be. Every single person I have met
has been incredibly nice and welcoming; I haven’t met someone I did not like.
The food is the best food I’ve ever had. And the scenery is beautiful. I spent
my first few days in Gaeta, a town near Rome, with my agent’s family. I stayed
there to relax, get rid of the jet lag and work on getting my Italian
citizenship. While I was in Gaeta, I went to the beautiful beach and explored
the old city, with my agent, his wife, their 6-year old daughter and 2-year
old son. They were wonderful people to be around.
After a few days in Gaeta, my agent and his wife drove me to
San Martino (The town where I will be playing and living for this year). My
first impression has been a good one. I love my teammates, the coach, and
everyone involved with the team. It is a small town, so everyone is family. I
have not paid for a meal yet! I have been invited over to so many different
families’ houses and have been treated like a princess! I have to mention again
that the food is amazing!!! I also love my house and I just think it is so
beautiful here.
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| A collage of pics from Emily's new house. |
When I’m not enjoying the company of the families of the
town/teammates or relaxing at the house, I am in the gym working out and
shooting. Monday I have my medical exam, and on Tuesday, we start two-a-days! I
am so excited for basketball to start up, and I am especially excited to play
Stanford on Sept. 3rd, when they take a tour of Italy
and play my team along with two other Italian teams.
I forgot to talk about the
language! It has been somewhat difficult not being able to understand or speak
Italian, but I am learning more and more every day. There are a few people who
work with the team and some of my teammates speak English, so when I’m with
them it is not a problem. I am just so thankful for this opportunity. I am
learning so much and am really enjoying myself.
God Bless!
Ciao,
Emily
This is Awesome! I cant wait to come see you play...
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