Long Overdue

I know that I haven't posted in a long time. To be completely honest, for the last two weeks, I have done nothing but play baseball and travel. It has been pretty intense. I could go into a long, long post about what has happened, but due to the length of time that has gone by and the amount of events that have happened, I think it's better to keep it short and sweet.

First off, the regular season is over. I finished up the season on a great note, going 5 for 9 in the series and getting a walk off hit. The team finished in first, and goes into the playoffs on a high note. These are my stats for the season:

Player	avg	gp-gs	ab	r	h	2b	3b	hr	rbi	tb	slg%	bb	hbp	so	gdp	ob%	sf	sh	sb-att	po	a	e	fld%
MARMO Michael A.	.373	32-32	126	28	47	14	6	1	34	76	.603	16	2	13	1	.439	4	0	2-3	242	40	2	.993

I finished top 10 in the league in average, first in triples, and tied for second in doubles. Needless to say, it was a good year for me. I am very happy with my regular season stats, but they are in the past. Now, all that matters is each at bat in the playoffs. It would be absolutely amazing if in my first year I was able to win a championship. Let's hope so.

With playoffs starting September 4th, we were allowed some vacation time. In two weeks, I traveled to Venice, Cinqueterre, Florence, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and Munich. Needless to say, it was intense. Each city and town had something to offer. Venice was very crowded, but seemed fake. It was breath taking how the canals weaved through the buildings. Cinqueterre may be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Each town is set in a mountainside, on the water. It's absolutely amazing. We did the hike to each town, and it was breathtaking the whole way.

Barcelona is a place that I really can't describe. It is the best of all worlds, with city life, beaches, and mountains. It was very hot, and the people there have set their lives according to the heat. Four hour siestas shut the city down in the afternoon. Once night hits, the people are ready to party. I have never been to clubs or bars quite like in Barcelona. After long dinners, the people head out at about 2 am, and don't arrive home until 6 or 7. It was a great experience, and definitely worth the trip.

Madrid wasn't as crazy as Barcelona, but good in its own right. It is a beautiful city, and very large. It would be impossible to see the entire city in the 3 days we were there. The nightlife is much the same, but we were forced to take it a little easier. We happened to meet great people in Madrid, specifically two guys from London and Liverpool. It really made the experience that much better. The highlight of Madrid was going to see Real Madrids stadium. This team makes the Yankees look like the Bad News Bears. They truly are a dynasty, with more trophies and accolades than I even thought possible. They buy the best players, and win the most. It is unbelievable what this franchise means to the people, and really how they have preformed. It was my first real taste of soccer (football) in Europe, and there was no better place to start.

After a 14 hour train trip from Madrid, we arrived in Paris. By the time we got to Paris, we were completely gassed. The only thing we set to do was see all the major sites. We did exactly that, and it is a remarkable city. The people were nicer than I had expected, and the city has a lot to offer. The food was great, the night life was good (from what I saw of it), and the city was beautiful. I hope to go back to Paris one day, spending more time there. It is a big city as well, and demands a lot of time to see it all.

Munich, as you know, is one of my favorite cities. We arrived in Munich, and had a blast. We met some great people, ate some good food, and had a good time. Munich was a great way to end the trip, with familiarity and good laughs. When we finally arrived home to Reggio, we were completely worn out. We got plenty of rest, and tomorrow we are heading down to Puglia for some true relaxation at one of our teammates summer houses. I have heard the beaches are beautiful, and I look forward to spending most of my days on them.

Well, I guess that's a really short recap of my journeys recently. After Puglia, the travels will stop and the saving will begin. After the playoffs, and hopefully after a championship, my roommate and I are traveling for a month before going home. All of my paychecks will be saved for that trip. It will also be nice to relax and just stay put in Reggio for a bit. Anyway, hope everybody from home is doing great, and I really look forward to seeing everybody again. Have a great day and I'll keep you posted!!