The Wolverines Abroad: Player's Perspective, Matt Vogrich
8/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 24, 2010
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By Sophomore Matt Vogrich
After playing two of our four games, we needed a break, so our team took a trip to Paris today during our off day. Evan and I tried to learn as much French as possible before the trip so we could "fit in" with the people. That ended up working poorly, since our entire team was matching, wearing Michigan polos, so no one believed our newly acquired French accents. Ha!
We started off seeing the Louvre, which was incredible! Almost everyone on the team ended up taking pictures in front of the main doors trying to get a new, sweet Facebook default picture. After all the pictures and marveling over the sculptures, we got on a bus tour to see the rest of the city.
It was a hop-off, hop-on bus tour and most of us got out to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was an amazing church. We all walked around inside the church and looked for some lunch. Blake, Evan and I stopped at the closest cafe because we were exhausted, while the rest of the players followed the "trustworthy" leaders, Stu and Corey, to look for a better restaurant.
The three of us had a great meal and got back on the bus tour to see the Eiffel Tower, which we were supposed to meet at 3 o'clock. We got there right on time without having to walk too much, but Stu, Corey and the rest of the team following their leadership had to get off a few stops early and run to the Eiffel Tower because they lost track of time.
We posed in front of the tower for a ton of pictures with the team, coaches, managers and staff as Andy Beilein coordinated some gorgeous pictures. While the rest of the team wanted to go shop and get their "Euro-Look" on, Bird (Blake) and I chose to climb up to the top of the Eiffel tower and check out the view.
With the line for the elevator wrapping around the bottom on the tower, we decided to take the stairs, which had a much, much smaller line. After playing two games, the climb we a little bit of a workout I have to say. But it was worth it. We climbed and climbed and got to the first level where the view was unbelievable.
As we made it to the second level, the view was even better. As we debating going all the way to the top the tower was swaying back and forth, which was kind of scary, so we cut the trek and headed back down. But the trip up the tower was definitely worth it.
After grabbing a cab, we got out at the main shopping street ahead of the first group. Yep, after climbing the Eiffel Tower we still beat them to the stores. I ended up buying a few things at Nike Paris, and Blake bought a German Dirk Nowitzki jersey -- which is fitting since they play and look the same.
Overall, the trip was a success for all of us, although at the end of the day we were all worn out from the walking, running (for some) and posing for the hundreds of pictures.
I'm too tired to write anymore and am going to go watch some French TV before I pass out. So thanks for following us on this trip. We have two more games and plenty left to see in Europe. Go Blue!
