Don't I look SMART

Ohh yeah that’s my new ride! I know you have probably seen a few on the streets back home and said to yourself, “look at that hippie, does he know how STUPID he looks?” or “did that person put a motor on their kid’s cozy car?” I know because I was probably the biggest critic. Now Im the biggest believer- these things are sweet!
Stretching out to a whopping 8’ 9” and being powered by 4.5 ponies, this bad boy can go 0 to 60 in a lightning 12.8 seconds. Usain Bolt doesn’t have anything on this sucker.
All jokes aside this car is pretty awesome and its perfect for driving over here. I am really thankful of the team for getting this for me so I can finally get around and be self dependent. I get somewhere between 35 to 40 miles a gallon and can even park perpendicular into a parking spot if there isn’t enough room, not like anyone cares how you park anyway over here- they are crazy.
The Smart car actually is one of the most popular cars you see on the road and I’m fitting right in- next is leather jackets and gold chains.

Now all I need is to put this baby on some 22's

-Bus #10

LUCKY ME

I’m already starting to feel the benefits of rubbing Colloeni’s goods. I don’t know if it’s going to help my polo game but it must have had something to do with how awesome last night was.
After training last night (7:45 to 9:45), I took my shower, changed into my layers, and headed over to the restaurant where I have dinner every night (pizza or pasta). Looking around I saw the normal crowd which I’ve gotten to know and said my customary “Ciao’s” (I always thought saying “Ciao” over here was like saying “aloha” in Hawaii; just trendy and done more for the image of the culture than actually a part of normal conversation. Wow was I wrong; they use it like it’s going out of style. When you come across a group of people it seems like u are supposed to give everyone a “ciao”, and when you leave you double it up with a “ciao ciao” kind of like our “bye-bye”). After setting my bag down I went over to talk with Sergio- who is THE MAN!
Sergio runs the restaurant that is located at the pool, he is also the acting head coach of our team. Sounds kind of random but our head coach is also a player so Sergio who has played and coached water polo for around 40 years is our figure on the bench. Although he never works with us at training he is heavily respected by the team and jumps right in there to give us extra guidance and coaching during the games. He knows his shit. His English is very good and I always enjoy our post practice chats. He found out my nickname, “Bus” and loves using it. “Hey Bus, how’s it going man?” My favorite words that he says is definitely, “Hey Bus, Have you ever tried …….? Here try some!” He is always having me taste different cheeses, meets or drinks. It’s obvious why he quickly rose to the top of my favorite people over here.
Tonight he had an extra little smirk in his smile. After getting some ice for my shoulder (which is sore but will be ready for season) he exited the kitchen carrying a plate and started smiling. He began singing “Happy Thanksgiving” to the melody of the Birthday Song as he brought out a hot plate of three large, beautifully cooked turkey legs! I started laughing; this was so thoughtful and amazing of him. I sat there with my team as they ate their pizzas and I had my Turkey (which is not common by any means) and we had a great Thanksgiving feast. It definitely made me realize that no matter how much I miss home and my family I know that they are going to take great care of me here. I am truly lucky and thankful to have such amazing people surround me during this experience abroad.

Bus #10

JUST MY LUCK

So first off I’m not happy with you. Yes you, every single one of you. I am over here as the temperature is dropping faster than a Hummers gas tank and all of you get to chow down on a huge thanksgiving dinner. The only meal that Americans do really well. Even you Veg-heads get to dive in to mounds of mashed potatoes, easily my favorite part. So go on enjoy it while you can because all my dinners this coming week are going to top your next 364.
So in spite of my feelings toward you I have decide to hit you with the post you all have been dreading…they History Lesson. Lets really get to know Bergamo.
As most of u know my ways I’m going to steal most of this info right off the site that single handedly got me through college…Wikipedia.
Bergamo is located in northern Italy right in the center of the top of the boot. It is approximately 40km (18 miles) to the northeast of Milan. It has a population of 117,000 people and is slowly expanding. The site itself is recorded to have been inhabited as early as 49bc when it became a Roman municipality. The current city has a sector known as "Città alta" (upper city). It is a medieval city that was conquered and put under rule by the Venetian Republic in 1428. Fearing attacks from nearby Milan they erected an impressive defensive wall that elevates up to 60ft in some areas and surrounds the whole city for protection (an attack was never made).
Wow I’m already bored writing this so I’m going to stop because I want to not because I feel bad for you.
Yesterday I met up with Matteo Sessatini’s (everyone just calls him “Sessa”) friend Gaia who took me up to the upper city where the University has its language programs in hopes that I would be able to sign up for an Italian language course. If I’m going to be here for 8 months I might as well at least learn what the other team is saying about me. Unfortunately for me, they are in the middle of semester right now and I will have to wait till Feb to begin. Which, don’t worry Mom, I will.
While I was disappointed that I couldn’t start my learning adventures right away, Gaia was kind enough to escort me through the town and give me a tour. I have to give a shout-out to Roberto who actually gave me practically the same tour the week before. But different tour guides have different styles and knowledge and I can’t wait to have my 3rd, 4th and prob 5th tour while I’m here. Who’s coming out to get the one lead by yours truly? Im waiting.
SIDENOTE: As I am writing, the largest bee I’ve ever seen just flew by my head, I got a magazine and down that sucker on my first swipe. Problem is now I can’t find him, I don’t know how because he was the size of a small rat but he is nowhere to be found. I’m scared to sleep now because if I didn’t end him, he’s going to come back PISSED.
Anyways, the town is as classic Italy as you could imagine; Narrow cobblestone streets, churches and towers on every other corner, and pairs of little old grandma ladies escorting each other down the alleys arm n arm. They are just starting to put up Christmas decorations as well. I am excited to return at night, I guess it’s supposed to look amazing with all the lights.
We traversed up and down the streets across the hilly town stopping every once in a while to peer in a church, museum, or library before settling down at a famous café to have an amazing cappuccino. I’m going to leave you with two of my favorite facts from yesterday’s adventure. First, there are four entrances to the walled city, each one being named after a saint. Above the arch of all of the accesses there is a lion (the Venetian symbol that can be seen throughout the city). In front of the lion is an open book. It is important to note that the book is open because this signifies that they succumbed to Venice without posting a fight. If the book was closed it would show that there was initial resistance before it was taken over.
The Last bit of knowledge was my favorite. Outside one of the large cathedrals there is a gate that surrounds it. At one section of the gate there is a symbol that has three testicles- yup nuts, balls, gonads. This is to pay tribute to Colleoni, a famous warrior who was so fierce it is said that he had 3 boys instead of 2. They symbol itself is faded a different color because it is regarded as a practice of good luck to rub the satchel. Gaia explained that you will commonly see students go out of their way to go rub the jewels before an intense exam in hopes of good fortune. I don’t think it’s like blowing out birthday candles, but I obviously silently hoped for a strong season as I gave my boy Colleoni a pat.

Bus #10

Sitting Alone

Don’t worry this post isn’t as depressing as its title makes it out to be. Today was Sunday and just like you would guess in Italy, church bells lit up the neighborhood at 7am for morning mass. Of course I just grabbed an extra pillow covered my head and “Z’d” it out for another two hours. When I eventually woke up, I had a piece of apple pie that my teammate Roberto’s mother gave to me the day before to take home and insist I had It for breakfast. Pie for breakfast, no complaints here. I’m just trying to assimilate.
Since there was no polo practice today, I thought it would be a great time to get to know my neighborhood. I set out on foot even though Roberto had given me a bike the day before I wanted to fully take in the streets. I headed first to the market up the street because I wanted to pick up a few things to have around the house, essentials like chips and beer. I quickly found out they weren’t kidding when they said the only thing open on Sunday is church. Market closed, shops closed, most restaurants closed. Whatever, the streets were open and I was determined to familiarize myself with them.
I headed to the main plaza near my house where there is a large church and tower. Another mass was in session so I decided to not play the stupid American and figured I would wait to another day to peak my head in and have a look. From the plaza I walked by the park where they had a youth soccer game going on. I moved along pretty quick because I didn’t want them to get suspicious why some guy in the corner with a creepy mustache had come to watch little boys run around (Ohhh Yeah, the Stache Is coming back!). I continued to navigate the streets till I found the centro (pronounced Chentro) where there were more churches and more action than anywhere else in town on this chilly morning. I continued to pass the University, library and the community pool.
After an hour and a half I already had the map of Dalmine on the back of my hand (I think it’s because just like Michael Jordan I was a Geography Major). I had walked a fair distance and was getting pretty hungry. I found one of the only restaurants open on my way back and decided to have some lunch. I stepped in, was shown a table and sat down to try and decipher the menu. I could tell if I was on the Pizza or fish page but besides that I was pretty useless. I was going to roll the dice and just point but the waiter who could tell I was struggling came over and asked if I would like to try his recommendation. I said yes, he nodded and then left without telling me what I had ordered. He returned a minute later with a basket of bread and a glass of white wine. If this had been all he brought me the whole meal I would have been content. The bread over here is amazing and I can’t tell the difference between good and shit wine.
Sitting there with my pane and vino bianco it hit me, I’m sitting alone. I mean I’ve sat alone at a Carl’s Jr off the middle of I-5 on my way don’t to school before but I definitely never sat down at a nice restaurant to have a real meal. It was weird. All around me I could hear the chatter of families and friends crescendo as they matched each other’s comment a little louder than the one before( I don’t know why they do this, at first I thought everyone over here is constantly arguing but I’m figuring out that is just the way they talk). A little more of the vino and I was starting to get past the first date jitters of having a meal with myself. I opened my latest Patterson novel and got absorbed in Alex Cross’s timely heroics until my food came.
And the surprise dish is…….Seafood pasta- fruit di mare. I won’t lie it probably wouldn’t have been my first choice but as intimidating as it looked it smelled amazing. It was. Clams, mussels, calamari, prawns, everything that makes half of you want to throw-up, on top of spaghetti pasta with a spicy red sauce. I ate the whole thing. Since there was no one to talk to I was really able to focus on the food, I started to think that this wasn’t so bad after all. When I was finished I decided to go full Italian and have the customary post meal espresso.
In the words of the ever so wise ICECUBE, “Today was a good day”

Bus #10

MI CASA

So I know I told u a while ago that I was going to move in last Monday but it didn’t end up happening till Thursday, 2 days ago. I wasn’t really bummed though because at the hotel I had breakfast waiting for me in the morning, clean sheets and towels, free internet, and even a maid to come a clean up after me just like Swanny used to. Anyways I finally got the keys to my new place, which by the way look like they should open a treasure chest and not an apartment. The place is located in a part of Bergamo called Dalmine (doll-min-ay). It’s the same part of town where the University of Bergamo school of Engineering is located. I feel that half of my team attends this college for bachelors or masters studies. NERDS! I’m only kidding, it’s pretty awesome actually that all of them are very intent on completing the highest levels of education and also playing polo.
Back to the house. It’s a studio on the second floor. Really nice and warm actually (as for now). Its fully furnished with a really nice kitchen area. It also has a bathroom with a bide (don’t know how to use it, but I’m determined to find out), a laundry machine (I have to hang dry once its washed), and a walk(more like suck in and slide)-in closet . Its really got all that I need. Oh yeah, my bed is the couch. It’s a pull out. It’s actually not that bad but I don’t think my back will be able to handle it for the 8 months. I think I’m going to go sometime this week to a mattress store and get a double that I figure will fit perfectly in the one unused corner. That way when any of you come to visit, the couch is all yours!
I am going to try and upload some pics of the place, lets hope it works

Bus #10

Hey Mom I MADE THE TEAM!

So If I keep putting an “!” at the end of my posts title does it lose its power? Well Im sorry but this one definitely deserves an “!” , maybe even 3!!! So after I got out from practice last night I came out of the locker room and was pulled aside by the team president. I got the same feeling as when the teacher used to call your name as you were leaving and ask if you could talk with them for a minute. You always expect the worst. He opened his briefcase and handed me an envelope and told me to read its contents. At first it looked like a copy of the same contract that I had already signed but he pointed for me to scroll down to the bottom where it said, “After a meeting with the team President and Technical Head Coach, the team have confirmed Mr. Russell Simpkins as a player for the season 2009-2010”. They offered me the full contract! The previous one stated that both sides could opt out after a two month trial period, but now they said that they were sure that even after a week they wanted to sign me for the full season! Because that league rules restrict that a team is only allowed to sign 1 foreign player I have been nervous this whole time that they were still shopping behind my back. You know how embarrassing that would have been if I got sent home in January and had to tell all of you that I got cut. Of course I would probably just have lied and told you that I decided to opt out to save the humility, but now I don’t have to. Let’s be honest, that would not have made a cool bar story, “So I played Pro polo in Italy for two months but then I got axed”. I don’t know how far that would have gone with the ladies. And plus how depressing would it be if POLOandPASTA only lasted 2 months? I would probably sense the end was coming soon and the posts would get progressively more whiny and depressing. No one wants to read that…most of you probably don’t even want to read this but some of you are family and you have to, It’s the rules.

I also want to give a huge shout-out to the Soquel Boys Vrsty who lost from what I hear a very tight and solid game to an extremely talented Menlo team in the semi-finals of CIF 7 to 6. Im sorry I couldn’t be there to help coach u guys till the end but I had an amazing season working with all of you and I am very proud of your dedication and improvement. Great job boys!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

Errestampa Pallanuoto Bergamo (our team name- Errestampa= our main sponcor(a priniting company) Pallanuoto=the translation of "water polo" Bergamo= our city) are tournament champions! Thats the buzz around town! Well maybe not around town but at least around the pool. Sat and Sunday we played a 3 game round-robin tournament against 3 teams that will be competeing in our Division when season starts (December 4th).
Our first gamewas Sat night against Brescia (a very wealthy team that I dont think we were supposed to beat). It was especially a big game because as I am quickly finding out I am supposed to hate Brescia- There is a huge rivelry between the towns of Bergamo and Brecia and I guess everyone from Brescia is a PIG and we are perfect. Im so glad I picked the right town. This of course ment a large turnout! The stands were full and my heart was pumping heavily during the pregame introductions. Those of you that have played competitive sports know that this as one of their favorite feelings. This is why we play!
Some hardcore fans were singing different songs and chants as the opening whistle blew and the game was on! It was an even match the whole way through with no team going up by more than a goal. I did not get the the start but I was first off the bench. I really dont mind because it gives me a couple mins to study the other teams CenterForward because I dont know who the hell anyone is.
Two mins after the start of the game I got the call, "Roosil you in". A huge breath and a couple self slaps on the face and I was good to go! I went right in and got my first defensive stop. I continued to play well the rest of the game and ended with 3 steals and didn't get kicked out or scored on once from 2meters! I played about 3/4ths of the game. I even got the call to guard on the last play of the game when we only had a 1 goal advantage. I was Stoked!

After the game we had a huge team dinner at amazing restaurant that lasted for about 2 and a half hours. Cheese, Wine, so many different types of meat- Lets be honest, you wish you were there.
The next day we had two more games against two weaker teams and finished out winning the tournament. A great start to my Italian carrer. No goals scored on and only kicked out one time all weekend! I even droped a goal in the second game. Hey you gotta score 1 before you can get 2...
Today I move into my apt- I will check in soon

BUS #10

WHAT UP ITALY!

So after huge demand (mainly by my mom) and the inspiration of another (Mat MacDonell-Follow him as he plays for my old team in Australia http://macattack16.blogspot.com/ ) I have created the over-posted and underintertaining blog http://www.poloandpasta.blogspot.com/

Lets knock out some of the basics to get you all caught up ... I left out of Oakland Airport Monday morning at 6am and flew to Denver, over to Newark, then jumped the pond to Rome and then straight up "the boot" to Bergamo, Italy ... my new home! At the Airport I was picked up by Simone and Dario the president and manager of the team. They immediatly drove me to the pool so that I could see my new battlegrounds. The club is Amazing! It has a sports complex with an indoor 50m pool, a diving tower, basketball arena, weightroom, and a full restaurant where I will probably be eating most of my meals. Outside the complex is a large park area with two more pools (a 50m diving tower and another) which we will not use until late in the season when summer approaches ... its already starting to get pretty cold.

After they gave me a quick drive through my new city-Bergamo. I will hit you with more facts about the city later but lets be honest, If I started with the vitals Boaring you right now you would prob stop right here and never read again. Its amazing, just take my word for it right now. They Droped me off at the Holliday Inn-my temporary home until monday when my apt is done getting painted and furnished.

That night, after only 20 hrs of traveling I had to go to practice as everyone passed judgementon their new import. "Who is this new undersized 2M Guard who thinks he can play in the Italian League?" I could feel their eyes as they sat with their gavels ready and watched as I took my first warm-up shot ... a skip-cage cross from 4spot that sneaked under the arm and hit Goalies upper corner ... this will mean nothing to you but I really think this is one shot that I will never forget as lame as it sounds. Everyone knows that first impressions are everything and thinking about this very moment had been eating me up the whole flight over. The rest of practice flew by and before I knew I was in the club restaurant having a beer and meeting the team. The guys are great. Most of them are around the same age, early to mid twenties with a few older guys in their early 30's. I was really stoked to find out that most of them speak fairly decent English and they are very excited to practice it with me!

The next few days I have just been trying to get settled in ... We have a pre-season Tourny starting today at our pool against 3 other teams that will be in our division during season-Shit here comes those Gavels again. I am off to the pool now but I will keep you all updated ...

-Bus # 10
Oh yeah, I was lucky enough to get my number!