We started our journey near home at the Dulles International Airport. Myself, Jared and Patrick got dropped off and met up with Luther and his wife Rachel inside. After a long flight we had a 4 hour layover in Frankfurt Germany. The flight from Frankfurt to Florence Italy was short, maybe just over an hour. The US Team had people coming in on different fights so we waited for a bit at the airport to we could all catch the bus to the Hotel as a group. We are staying at the Hotel Kyrton here in Tuscany. It’s like a bread and breakfast style hotel. The hotel is cozy, there is a common area with couches and cable TV. A small island bar in the center of the first floor that serves Coffee, Espresso, Wine, and other drinks. After checking in and getting our rooms assigned we had dinner here at the Hotel. There are two large dining areas, we eat in the main dining area, the food is served restaurant style at dinner and buffet style at breakfast. I slept well for the most part, outside of waking up around 3am not sure where I was for a second. haha. I got up around 7am to go down and eat and get an idea of what the days schedule was like. A lot of the fighters still had weight to cut and were up early bundled up to run outside. The Level Up Crew traveled close to their fight weight, Jared and Pat went for a run the night we got in just to be sure. Both woke up on weight and ready to go. The Bus to take us to the venue was late, they had picked up some fighters from other teams so we sent all our fighters on the first Bus to get weigh ins started while the Coaches hung back to catch the second bus. Once we arrived at the venue all the coaches went in to find their fighters. Most of them have been in weight cut mode for roughly 48 hours at this point. There wasn’t much in the way of stores nearby to pick up drinks for rehydration. I found a shop down the street with water for sale and was able to make it back in time to hand it off to the guys as they went in step onto the scale.
After weigh ins most of the team went their separate ways looking for places to eat. There was a string of restaurants running a long the main street. We checked a few until we found one that jumped out at us. The main strip ran a long the shore line, Luther spotted a place that backed right up to the beach, we checked the menu and decided to go with that. They walked us through to the back which opened up to an outdoor patio overlooking the ocean. The food was incredible. Our waiter didn’t speak any English but we made it work, he was super hospital to us. As always, that first meal after a weight cut brings about positive mood change. I have to say this was probably the best post weigh in meal we have had as a team. As hectic as the travel has been, and just the general being out of our element all around as far as our processes go, at this point we all had to step back and enjoy the moment. We even saw a guy fly down off the mountain on a hang glider and land right on the beach behind us. (see video below) On the ride back with everything behind us and feeling like we were settling in I was really able to reflect on things. I think in America we get used to what we consider a standard, and that creates expectations. Or maybe not all of us. I expect things to be as I picture them in my head. Italy wasn’t exactly what I expected at first. I’m not really sure how to explain what I pictured in my head, and what the difference is of my initial impression. On the ride back though it hit me that what seemed different here was the simplicity of just enjoying life for what it is. For most of us in America we are constantly pushing forward to whats next, we always want more. I’m not saying that being here changes that in me. I feel like thats part of what makes Americans who we are. It was nice to have a reminder to just enjoy the moment though.
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The Team
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Tuscan Country Side
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Villas
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Paradise Beach
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Our View
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Team France Wanted A Picture
When we got back to the hotel we decided to go explore the town near us and locate the market to get bottled water and supplies we may need for the tournament. We got turned around a few times on the way. Jared stepped into a hotel and they gave him a map and marked off where we were and where we needed to get to. We started off in the right direction, second guessed ourselves and doubled back, then realized we were going the right way in the first place (lol) We found the market tucked away off the main strip of stores. The clerk was super helpful. We were able to pick up fruit and water. We stopped in a another small shop on our way back looking for peanut butter, no luck. In both places the guys were asked if they were athletes, and both times were greater with excitement at being fighters. Everyone we met was extremely nice. We got back just in time for dinner. After we received our Team USA fight shorts. After a brief meeting discussing the plans for the following day we were free to do what we wanted. I hooked my laptop up to the TV in the main common area. A bunch of us sat down to watch School Dance, a Level Up favorite you will hear us constantly quoting from. The movie was over around midnight. For the most part everyone turned in. I decided to stay up and write this while everything was fresh in mind. Tomorrow, we will get up and eat breakfast around 7am, go back to sleep for a bit, then head to the beach around 10am to get in some training.
Video Highlight
Stay tuned!
Coach Jason
