Saying farewell!

Saturday, August 10, 2013.  
Today, we journeyed by train to the feet of the Alps!  St. Google had informed us that there was an ancient abbey perched atop a mountain that was still in use to this day.   http://www.sacradisanmichele.com/eng/test_display/index/id/46/cat/10

Our trip by train was about 30 minutes, then a short walk through Sant Ambrogio to the base of the over 600 meter ascent by walking trail, called the "mule trail".  The 1.3 km trek taxed everyone to their limits!  The heat and humidity definitely had an extreme effect!  The arduous hike was well worth it as the abbey was amazing!  We spent the afternoon taking in the spectacular views of both the valley and the alps.  


The architecture of the abbey was also very impressive, especially when you thought of the effort that must have been expended in ancient times to construct it and where it was built!   The walk back down the trail was much less grueling, with gravity assisting the descent!  It was a quiet train ride back to Turin!  

Phil decided to be the lone wolf and traveled to a town in the Alps, Aosta, for an overnight stay to contemplate the meaning of WMG!  Trevor spent the day infiltrating the Blues Brothers to learn all of their secrets, the day became night and Trevor, being the team player he is, stuck it out to make sure he had all the facts straight to report back to Hoop2Hoop!  



Sunday, August 11, 2013.  The official closing of the 2013 World Master Games.  The Hoop2Hoop crew met for one last supper together.  We met at the Fratelli Pummaro and had another awesome meal there!  Marta and Maria looked after us like we were their family!  With our hunger tamed and our spirits weighed we strolled down to the Valentino Park to take in the closing ceremonies of the games.  
The evening was a short one, everyone feeling the effects of both the physical efforts of the past 10 days as well as the welling emotions of the inevitable goodbyes to come!  

Monday, August 12, 2013.  The last day, packing done, travel arrangements to the airports made, taxis hailed, and alas, the Hoop2Hoop crew said their goodbyes and headed off, some to one last hurrah before home, others directly back to loved ones awaiting!

My final note: As unofficial scribe of our Turin WMG, I thank all of my teammates and all our families for providing me with the adventures to document and the encouragement to attempt this truly inadequate record of our time here!   Words cannot describe the bonds that have been formed!  Thank you to all!
Johnny.