In the early hours of Friday, March 6th, 12 eager Gladiators embarked on a weekend excursion to the northern mountains of Abruzzo. After two unexpected detours, and an 8-hour bus journey spent getting to know one another, the gang finally made it to their cozy mountainside hotel.
After having settled in and reposed, a guided wildlife walking tour awaited the students. The group had the unique opportunity to stroll past, and observe packs of wolves and deer in their natural habitats.
To further work up an appetite for dinner, the group strapped on their snow boots and trekked in the snowy mountains as the sun set. Filled with regional delicacies, and excitement for the snow sport adventures ahead, card games provided an outlet for the overwhelming anticipation for the day ahead.
Rising sharp at 8 o’clock in the morning, the students packed their belongings and ate breakfast before it was off to the slopes! Some 20 minutes from the hotel stood the Pescasseroli slopes, tucked away in the midst of the mountains. Some Gladiators rushed straight to the higher inclines, whilst a few took it easy at the lower slants. Come lunchtime and the group were already tearing up the trails together, as everyone made notable progress in no time!
Alaskan Noelle Hilliker stated: “My favorite part was definitely the slopes. Being back in the snow made me wonder how I was able to go on so long without it!”
The consensus on the journey back to Rome further confirmed that the Winter Weekend Trip was definitely one of the best JCU has organized thus far, and needs to be repeated as soon as possible!
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