Titans USA Tour 2023

“People who break the rules go to prison; people who break the rules in prison go to Alcatraz.”

If this is the relaxed part of our tour before the games start, indications are we’re in for an extremely non-restful three weeks. It was a lot more walking today, which we’ve decided means it’s then okay to partake in some of the more non-healthy eating options of the American cuisine – another serve of fries anyone?

After enjoying a hearty breakfast (we love our food), we packed up our bags and moved them down to the lobby to be stored until our afternoon departure. We’re moving to Oakland this afternoon for a night so that we’re closer to the airport ready for our 4.00am departure tomorrow morning. 4am is no doubt going to lead to some entertaining blog excerpts…..stay tuned for that one!

We headed off on foot to enjoy a true San Franciscan experience – we were taking a cable car! Once we’d crammed ourselves onto the cable car, fighting over who was going to get to stand and hang on the outside, we made the journey up the hill that no person in their right mind would walk up. While the line to get the ticket to ride the cable car, may have taken longer than the ride itself, it was an experience that had to be done, we loved all three minutes of it. We arrived at the top of Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world, and crookedly made our way to the bottom while taking part in a couple of the obligatory photo opportunities (as we do). Some were slightly unimpressed and thought just a google search would have sufficed 😊

From there it was time for a quick bite to eat, and by quick I mean fast food, really fast food, as we ate on the run with a speedy walk to Pier 33 to board the ferry and see one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, Alcatraz.  We enjoyed another beautiful clear day, and the students embraced the self guided audio tour of the prison system while also taking in the views of the spectacular bay area. While most were in awe of the history, we did have one little poppet who mentioned she’d already seen the movie so wasn’t really that impressed, but it was alright. When it was commented that “yes, but this is real life”, she agreed and said maybe she could have walked around without the audio as she’d already heard it all on the movie. Tough crowd….. hope she hasn’t watched a Disneyland movie or we’re going to be in a spot of bother in LA.

Footnote: Stay tuned tomorrow for an event that occurred at Alcatraz that undoubtedly, unquestionably has to be the Flag. If this doesn’t win, the system is rigged. Free Geoffrey is all I’ll say…….

After the ferry ride back from Alcatraz it was another speedy walk back to the hotel (we don’t do casual strolls) and grabbed our bags, hopping on the bus to head to St Mary’s College, a private College founded in 1863.  The St Mary’s Gaels men’s basketball team represents the College in the West Coast Conference of the NCAA, with over 20 Australian players have walked through the doors at St Mary’s since Adam Caporn in 2001, including Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.

Once we arrived at St Mary’s we headed to Oliver Hall, the College’s dining establishment, for an all you can eat buffet, which gave us enough energy for cheering at the game where St Mary’s Gaels took on the Utah Utes. Excited that three Aussies were on the St Mary’s team (Alex Ducas was our favourite), our Titans cheered their little hearts out, getting into the spirit fingers (only when St Mary’s shot of course, we did not wish any success to the Utes), Aussie Aussie Aussie chants and flag waving. Special mention to Jackson who went above and beyond waving the flag to get us on camera and to Ellie for a well timed “We love you Alex” cheer (I knew that voice would come in handy sooner or later). 😊 We also had one of our own take to the court, with Mackye donning the golf stick for a full length court put, which came close but sadly no cigar.

After a bit of a tussle and a last minute fightback, the Gaels ending up losing by five, but earnt some new Titans fans on the night. Excited from the game, we managed to find our bus and have now settled into our hotel at Oakland for a very brief interlude before we head to the Airport at 4.00am tomorrow. (insert really tired face)……

Alcatraz….you don’t say!

• Notorious gangster and mob boss, Al Capone, was among the first prisoners to occupy the new Alcatraz federal prison in 1934.
• Alcatraz had the best kitchen of the federal prison system.
• Before criminals became its residents, the windswept island was home to large colonies of brown pelicans. When Spanish Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala became the first known European to sail through the Golden Gate in 1775, he christened the rocky outcrop “La Isla de los Alcatraces,” meaning “Island of the Pelicans.” The name eventually became Anglicized to “Alcatraz.”

The Flag!

The flag nominations are starting to come in thick and fast, and I feel we had so many worthy nominations today that two require a brief honorary mention. First some toilet humour from Jack who struggled with the American toilet system. For us Aussies, the larger bowl size and higher water level can prove a little confronting. This is where Jack encountered his undoing, in his exuberance, he failed to allow for the closer proximity to the water and threw the hand down a little too deep into the encroaching the water. Euuuugh. Might need to wait for low tide Jack.

And let’s not forget our little poppet Matilda, who honestly has daily Matildaisms (my favourite is when she asked if American dogs bark with an American accent. Gold!). However for today’s nomination, it was a language barrier that was her undoing (that’s what we’ll call it anyway). Matilda and two of her companions were having an informative conversion, when one of them mentioned she was bilingual. Being the supportive friend that she is, Matilda was quick to tell them that that was okay and everyone had the right to their own sexual preferences. No Matilda bilingual, not bisexual. Yikes.

However, enough of the lead up, let’s get to the winner. This recipient’s family members have been on two previous tours, without ever winning a flag, a proud record indeed, but now Cara Nulty has brought that to an end. Congratulations Cara, the Nulty’s are on the board.

Our flag worthy moment is yet another night time story (we seem to hit snags at sleepy time). All was good in Room 240 until 3.00am hit, when Cara woke up absolutely hysterical, screaming and crying after what must have been a very convincing nightmare. To say she woke the room was an understatement, as the other three room members had to spend the next 30 minutes handing out tissues, comforting and convincing her it was just a dream, and no they didn’t think she needed to go knocking on other the doors of other Titans to check they were all okay. I believe there was even talk of lighting a candle on the beach in honour of those that had fallen in her nightmare. Whatever she watched last night before she went to bed, needs to be not watched again, ever. At this rate, her and Portia are going to have to be sharing a room – although Cara might like a nice soothing head massage if she has another nightmare!