Colosseum Visit Highlights Day 2

May 12, 2008

ROME, Italy -- The University of Oklahoma women's basketball team literally hit the ground running on day one of its European summer tour.

Minutes after touching down at Leonardo Di Vinci International Airport in Rome, the Sooners were on a bus en route to the heart of the city -- The Colosseum.

The team toured the site and the surrounding area, including The Forum, before checking in at its hotel Sunday afternoon.

Monday, the Sooners will tour the Vatican and then play European club league team Acquario Palestrina that night in Rome.

Photo Gallery

Did You Know? Originally known as the Flavain Ampitheatre, construction on the Colosseum began construction in 72 B.C. and was completed within eight years.

Follow the Sooners' trip online at SoonerSports.com. Players will provide daily journals and photo galleries. Game recaps will also be available.

Today, Ashley Paris pens the Sooners' travels through Rome.

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A belated Happy Mother's Day to all everywhere and especially to mother. I want everyone to know, including my mom, that I have the best mother EVER. She deserves to retire immediately for having to put up with Courtney for the last 20 years! Happy Mother's Day, mom. Wish you were here with us!

Today, which actually started yesterday, was probably the longest day of my life. This my have to do with it starting a 4 a.m. Saturday in America and wrapping at 11 p.m. Sunday in Rome. Besides the sleep deprivation and cankles (from the long flight), this trip has already been one of the best experiences of my life. We landed in Rome at about 9 a.m. local time, boarded a bus and immediately went sightseeing.

While I haven't had the pleasure of traveling the world every summer like my little sister Courtney, this is the most beautiful place I have ever been. The Travel Channel did not do this place justice.

Our first stop was the Colosseum. It was absolutely amazing. It was massive and had a tremendous amount of detail. We learned about how and when it was built, how it helped the people of its original era get along with their dictator who used his own wealth to fund its construction. I have to admit that ever after seeing and hearing about what took place here, I was still unable to comprehend its magnitude. But, according to Carolyn Winchester, watching Gladiator will help me put the entire structure into perspective. (On a side note, amazingly I spotted a Sherri Coale look-alike. She was using the same phone Coach has, had curly blonde hair with the same length and style, had a similar outfit minus the stilettos...a little more casual, and was about the same height. It was almost as funny as it was frightening. For those of you who don't believe me, I have video footage.)

After our tour of the Colosseum, we walked down the street to the Forum. Although its structure was not nearly as impressive, it was still very interesting in its own right. We learned the history of its existence and how the entire area was once under mud before it was excavated.

Next, we grabbed lunch and boarded the bus for the hotel. The rooms are a small as a four-door sedan and the beds are a short as a skateboard -- perfect for Jenna Plumley. Nonetheless, the rooms are comfortable and I took the best nap ever.

For dinner we went to a very nice Italian restaurant that had the best service I've ever experienced. We were continuously served a variety of appetizers and entrees that were as authentic as they were delicious. My favorite was the Italian sausage meatballs. Yum!

After dinner, we walked down the block to get some gelato (ice cream) and take a quick look at the Spanish Steps. The steps were filled with young Italian men and women enjoying the nice evening of music and mingling. Unfortunately for them, Nyeshia was quickly able to "show up" the local talent with her singing and dancing.

Overall, I had a wonderful day and am looking forward to the rest of my time in Europe. Hopefully, the swollen ankles will disappear before tomorrow's game.

Once again, a special Mother's Day wish for all of our moms who couldn't make the trip. Thank you for your countless hours of driving, coaching and continuous love and support. It will forever be appreciated. Every day should be Mother's Day!

Ciao,
Ashley Paris, #5

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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