Home again....

We awoke to rain and a sad feeling as we knew we'd be heading home today, but also excitement at all we'd got the opportunity to do and part of us was ready to go home and tell everyone about our adventures. It had been a trip of a lifetime and we all knew every good thing must come to an end at some point and we will have the pictures, memories and stories forever!

Our last breakfast at the hotel, packing, last minute souvenir shopping and goodbyes to those few staying behind all took place before we boarded the bus and headed back to the airport. We grabbed a quick bite for lunch and spent the entire trip home discussing everything we had done and plans for next year. All in all we had a wonderful time, played some good volleyball, met some new friends and grew closer as a team than some of us may have felt possible. We will not soon forget this trip and want to say thank you to all of you out there who helped make it possible. The countless hours of planning, all the donations and prayers and everything else that was done to see this through.

Lastly, we want to give a huge thanks to our wonderful coach! Without him we wouldn't be where we are today. He made the trip fun as well as worthwhile, wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. THANK YOU!!!!

Rain, long hikes, and waterfalls can only mean one thing....

... the RAIN FOREST! Up early and in the vans for a little drive up into the mountains and rainforest! We drove through the rain and trees up to the top and the wonderful view. We took a lot of amazing pictures. We hiked down a path and got quite a workout running down to the waterfall. We even got to climb through the rocks and take a swim under the waterfall! It was so amazing. By the time we hiked all the way back up that steep path we were very sweating and ready to swim again so we headed to Claudia's villa which was nearby.

It was too fabulous for words. A lovely place overlooking the ocean with an infinite pool and lots of sunshine. We relaxed, swam and soaked up the sun for an overall marvelous afternoon before heading back to the hotel to once again change before our last dinner on the island.

We went to the rooftop BBQ place for dinner and had one last fabulous dinner as a team on this spring break none of us will ever forget. The view over the city was beautiful as we sat back and finished our dessert reminicing over everything we had seen and done while here.

Home tomorrow.

the sun is shining and hot!!

We awoke to the sun streaming in our windows and rushed through breakfast to get as much time as possible by the pool before our games. It was magnificent! After soaking up as many rays as we could we packed and got ready for the games.

By the time we arrived at USC it was already very warm and sunny and we knew we were in for some fun playing in this heat. our opponents arrived and we played the first game. Both games were very close throughout and they just barely squeaked out the victory. Even though we didn't win, we learned a lot and had tons of fun playing!

After returning to the hotel for showers and such, Claudia led us along the beach to this wonderful little place for dinner. We enjoyed yet another fabulous meal before crashing for the night after a long and tiring day. We don't even want to think about leaving and can't wait for the rain forest tomorrow!

Sunshine and the beach!

Day three began with another delicious breakfast and a two hour practice at USC. We are getting used to playing in the heat and in this new gym and are pumped for our games tomorrow. In the middle of practice the sun finally emerged from behind the clouds and we can't wait to get outside!

As soon as we got back to the hotel we ran for our rooms and bathing suits! Back and ready in record time, we ran for the beach. The waves were wonderful and the water warm. We laid out there for most of the afternoon soaking up the rays and enjoying the beach in March. Lunch at a little beach side bar and grill before returning to the hotel for a quick nap before the evening.

We went back to Old San Juan for real puerto rican food at this nice little restaurant Claudia knew of and then spent a little more time down there before heading back again. Tired after a long day of fun and quite a bit of sun, we all were excited to see our beds =] Games and hopefully more sun tomorrow!

our first full day!

We awoke for a wonderful breakfast provided by the hotel and then headed out to our first practice at USC. The gym is open on all sides since it is always warm here and there are birds flying through during our practice! We are enjoying the heat and humidity and drive to see the beach as soon as practice is over. The waves are crashing
in on the sand and we all ran out of the vans to stick our feet in the warm water.

We returned to the hotel to shower and change before heading out for a wonderful afternoon in the quaint little 'old san juan'. We drove past the old fort and down past a bunch of the little streets of shops before getting out and wandering around. We found some great souvenirs and took lots if pictures! We even ran into some other students from Catholic!

We met back up with coach for dinner at a mexican resturant down the street and then headed back to the hotel for a late night swim before watching the Oscars and doing henna tattoos in our rooms before bed. Adios til tomorrow!

and....we're off!

After having spent most of Friday night awake with excitement and packing, we caught the Kim shuttle to the Duf at 5:30 am to begin our day of traveling to Puerto Rico! We took a CUA shuttle to the airport and all made it safely through security, the (much needed) coffee stop, and snack shop onto the first leg of our flight. We dozed and chatted throughout the first ride through the air to Charlotte and then after a brief layover, slept most of the leg from there onto San Juan, Puerto Rico and what was described as "this beautiful tiny little land from such a faraway place!!"
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We are very excited, and pumped after all the "good luck!" and friendly comments from people throughout the airports! It is so WARM here! We were picked up from the airport by a very nice guy named Frank and a bus and shuttled to our wonderful hotel only minutes away. We walked in in amazement to a wonderful lobby and absolutely gorgeous hotel. Eight floors and a lobby full of palm trees and suntanned people! We're going to have a blast! After a quick change and some wandering and exploring, we all met in the lobby for dinner and fun at Outback.

Tired after a long day of excitement and traveling, once we finished our delicious meal, we retired for the evening to our comfortable beds and a wonderful sleep before our first busy day of practice and adventures. Here ended day one...

Volleyball spring break 2010 in Puerto Rico

The CUA volleyball team will travel to Puerto Rico during Spring Break from March 6 – 11 we will practice at University of Sacred Heart also we will play two matches on March 9 at USH first match at 5:30 vs. USC 2nd match at 7:30 vs. UMET

Please keep check back to www.cuacardinals.com and right here on the blog as the players blog about their daily experiences in PR