In an Olympic entourage

Going to see the Olympics is a special experience. To be in a place where the top athletes of the world come together with the sole intention of claiming the title of best in world ? not to mention where “pin-trading” is the universally spoken language ? makes for a one-of-a-kind trip. Throw in the fact that my own cousin was competing for the U.S. as a figure skater, and what started out as an incredible trip became the event of a lifetime.

We had very little time to prepare for our Italian excursion. My cousin, Evan Lysacek, qualified for the Olympic team in early January when he won the silver medal in a national competition.

A total of 29 family members and friends frantically made plans to see Evan skate in his Olympic debut. It was “Rat Race” meets “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” in Italian, without subtitles. We borrowed a few key Italian travel guides, including the “How to Speak Italian” pocketbook, hopped on a plane and arrived in Milan 24 hours later. Accommodations were not only scarce but also pricey in Turin, so Milan ? an hour and 40 minutes away by train ? became our hub.

Turin was electrifying. From the moment we stepped off the train, we sensed the Olympic presence in the air. The host of the Winter Olympic Games is now a small European city, but evidence of its former prominence was apparent. Oh, and it’s true what they say about the chocolates: absolutely out of this world!

We were scheduled to meet up with the entire group known as “Evan’s Entourage” in the piazza where Katie Couric and Matt Lauer had established their studio for “The Today Show.” That night, we all went to the Palavela arena in our matching red shirts, which displayed the slogan “We Believe.” We had banners and flags and made a ton of noise in support of our American skaters.

Although he was disappointed with his short program, Evan skated a long program that commentators will talk about for years. He finished fourth ? the highest ranking for an American man ? and we couldn’t be more proud. We’ve already started making plans for the 2010 Olympics in Canada.

After Turin, we visited Lake Como, Bellagio, Bergamo and Florence. My favorite city was Venice. We got lucky enough to be there during the first week of Carnival, the festival lasting ten days prior to Ash Wednesday. Many people were dressed in extravagant costumes and decorative masks. Masquerading about the city, they would pose for pictures, staying in character the entire time.

There is no question that I will return to Italy one day, hopefully as a foreign exchange student while I’m in college.