A taste of exercise in Parma. Photo: Mary Tendler.
Not sure we could set up a more evocative image than this to illustrate the elements of this athletic adventure in Italy.
Coach Mary Tendler snapped this photo while watching her players running a wind sprint through the vineyards at Casale del Gruppone in Parma, where we stopped for lunch and a tasting of excellent proscuitto, pancetta and salami — and a remarkable chunk of parmigiana cheese made on a neighboring farm.
Welcome to Parma.
The buyers were not the players.
Good idea to get some exercise after that great lunch.
Some of us also tasted a sparkling red wine made on site. These were a few of the million bottles a year produced by the winery, most for use in restaurants.
The players were in uniform because our bus was next going to roll on for a few hours to the south to reach the gym for the match that evening. We arrived at our hotel in San Marino until just after midnight. — GS
Through the Net 