Photo by: BGSU Strategic Communications
#FalconsInCuba: Day Six
August 15, 2016 | Women's Basketball
The Falcons enjoy the beach (and the pools) in Varadero
Monday (Aug. 15) was the first full day in Varadero for the Bowling Green State University women's basketball team, and the members of the travel party took advantage of all the Laguna Azul Hotel has to offer.
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The players, staff and boosters explored the all-inclusive resort on their own or in small groups, with many members of the travel party spending the day at one of the many pools in the resort, others heading to the adjacent beach, and many taking advantage of the free day to visit both the beach and one or more pools. Several members of the group ventured off-site for shopping, sightseeing and other excursions.
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In the evening, the players and staff got together to enjoy a meal at a Japanese restaurant on the property. In addition to enjoying the performance by the chefs who worked the hibachi, the Falcons also wished sophomore Maddie Cole a happy birthday while at the restaurant.
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Tuesday (Aug. 16) will mark the last day in Cuba before the team travels back to the United States on Wednesday (Aug. 17). A highlight of the Tuesday itinerary is a snorkeling adventure in the morning, which will be followed by – what else? – more beach and pool time in the afternoon.
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Several players and coaches took time to visit with BGSUFalcons.com and talk about the trip to date.
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Senior Leah Bolton
"This has been a really good experience. It's been great being able to watch the girls play, but being able to walk the streets of Cuba and get some history on the things that have happened here has been amazing. We were able to go to the markets and purchase some things to bring back home, and the salsa lessons were wonderful. I had such a great time, and that was definitely a highlight of my time in Havana.
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"Now we're in Varadero, and we are at such a great resort. The scenery is beautiful, and it's a great way to spend more time with my teammates, the coaches and the staff. It's a great way to wrap up this trip."
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Freshman Jane Uecker
"It's been great here. I really liked how this wasn't just a luxurious vacation. We really got to experience the culture of Cuba, and we really immersed ourselves in that culture. We really got to experience it.
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"In Havana, we had sore muscles and sore bodies, but now we have sore skin from our sunburns. It's been great to relax here, take a breather, enjoy the pretty views and see all of my teammates having fun."
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Assistant Coach Jessie Ivey
"This has been a great trip. Cuba is a beautiful place. My favorite part was probably the kids clinic and working with the kids there. Our team did a great job with them, and just to see how genuine they were and how excited everybody was, it was a great experience.
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"This (Varadero) has been a nice little vacation. After July recruiting and practices prior to the trip, we played three games in Havana and had a pretty set schedule while we were there. Now, we're able to relax a little bit, and it's been great so far. This trip has been a great chance to bond and get to know everyone a lot better."
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Assistant Coach Nick Moore
"This trip has been great. From the cultural side, it's been amazing – Cuba is like nowhere else in the world, with the cars from the 1950s and '60s, and the way the economy is, so it's been a great experience.
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"The most fun I've had was at the clinics. Basketball is not everything in the world, but it can be a common denominator that brings two vastly different peoples and cultures together. Seeing the girls interact with the kids and how much fun they had, and then the kids coming back the next day for the game – that, for me, was the most enjoyable experience so far.
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"Also, as a new coach at BG, just getting the chance to coach our team in a game setting in August, when not a lot of teams are able to do that, gives me a great opportunity to get a jump-start on the season. And, getting a few days here at Varadero to unwind from it all just tops off a great trip."
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The players, staff and boosters explored the all-inclusive resort on their own or in small groups, with many members of the travel party spending the day at one of the many pools in the resort, others heading to the adjacent beach, and many taking advantage of the free day to visit both the beach and one or more pools. Several members of the group ventured off-site for shopping, sightseeing and other excursions.
Â
In the evening, the players and staff got together to enjoy a meal at a Japanese restaurant on the property. In addition to enjoying the performance by the chefs who worked the hibachi, the Falcons also wished sophomore Maddie Cole a happy birthday while at the restaurant.
Â
Tuesday (Aug. 16) will mark the last day in Cuba before the team travels back to the United States on Wednesday (Aug. 17). A highlight of the Tuesday itinerary is a snorkeling adventure in the morning, which will be followed by – what else? – more beach and pool time in the afternoon.
Â
Several players and coaches took time to visit with BGSUFalcons.com and talk about the trip to date.
Â
Senior Leah Bolton
"This has been a really good experience. It's been great being able to watch the girls play, but being able to walk the streets of Cuba and get some history on the things that have happened here has been amazing. We were able to go to the markets and purchase some things to bring back home, and the salsa lessons were wonderful. I had such a great time, and that was definitely a highlight of my time in Havana.
Â
"Now we're in Varadero, and we are at such a great resort. The scenery is beautiful, and it's a great way to spend more time with my teammates, the coaches and the staff. It's a great way to wrap up this trip."
Â
Freshman Jane Uecker
"It's been great here. I really liked how this wasn't just a luxurious vacation. We really got to experience the culture of Cuba, and we really immersed ourselves in that culture. We really got to experience it.
Â
"In Havana, we had sore muscles and sore bodies, but now we have sore skin from our sunburns. It's been great to relax here, take a breather, enjoy the pretty views and see all of my teammates having fun."
Â
Assistant Coach Jessie Ivey
"This has been a great trip. Cuba is a beautiful place. My favorite part was probably the kids clinic and working with the kids there. Our team did a great job with them, and just to see how genuine they were and how excited everybody was, it was a great experience.
Â
"This (Varadero) has been a nice little vacation. After July recruiting and practices prior to the trip, we played three games in Havana and had a pretty set schedule while we were there. Now, we're able to relax a little bit, and it's been great so far. This trip has been a great chance to bond and get to know everyone a lot better."
Â
Assistant Coach Nick Moore
"This trip has been great. From the cultural side, it's been amazing – Cuba is like nowhere else in the world, with the cars from the 1950s and '60s, and the way the economy is, so it's been a great experience.
Â
"The most fun I've had was at the clinics. Basketball is not everything in the world, but it can be a common denominator that brings two vastly different peoples and cultures together. Seeing the girls interact with the kids and how much fun they had, and then the kids coming back the next day for the game – that, for me, was the most enjoyable experience so far.
Â
"Also, as a new coach at BG, just getting the chance to coach our team in a game setting in August, when not a lot of teams are able to do that, gives me a great opportunity to get a jump-start on the season. And, getting a few days here at Varadero to unwind from it all just tops off a great trip."
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Players Mentioned
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