Slightly OT- IU abroad

[mamasa 15,488]

Glad to be back in the good ol' USA.  I just got back from a cruise to Roatan (Honduras), Belize, and Cozumel.  My family chose to see the real areas and how they live, not necessarily the touristy areas.  It was truly an eye-opening and life changing trip.  So, just thought I would share some funny/interesting stories from the trip.

First, we sailed from New Orleans.  Cool city, but not a place I'd rush back to see.  Evidently, the entire state of Tennessee was booked on this cruise.  After this last week, UT and LSU have secured spots in the elite tier of obnoxious fans (IMO).  It was like the "before" part of a "before and after" commercial for Hooked On Phonics.  It actually made me feel a little happy for Cuonzo Martin to be able to get out of there (not a lot, just a little).

We hit Honduras first, with a tour guide by car.  The living conditions were pretty bad.  But, the people were awesome and generally happy.  We went to an animal sanctuary where we got to interact with monkeys and birds, which was cool.  A huge beautiful parrot kept sitting on my head, perched on my IU hat.  An entitled UK fan from another group kept trying to push his way next to me to get the bird to sit on him- the parrot wanted nothing to do with the UK hat.  Even the trainer couldn't get the parrot off my hat, which was cool (even though the bird bit off the button on the top of my hat!). The capuchin monkey that sat on my shoulder kept taking my hat off and putting it on, which goes to show that even the animals love IU.  (Side note: Port Royal was the best beer, followed by Salva Vida).  We went to an ophanage and school to donate some supplies we'd brought, and the kids were so grateful to receive anything that was "extra" (we brought coloring books, stickers and stuff like that), it was very emotional.  But, they all knew the IU logo, even in a place where electricity is not guaranteed.

Next day was Belize, and we boated up the Belize River, then to the Altun Ha ruins.  Again, very impoverished country.  I had an IU shirt on that day (sensing a theme? lol) and a couple of the local guys yelled "Hey IU!" at me.  I went over to talk to them, and so did Mr. Know-It-All LSU fan.  I asked if he liked IU and LSU interrupts and says "Yeah yeah, everyone knows Bobby Knight" (very condescending).  One of the local guys says "Yeah, Bobby Knight was cool but Victor Olidapo is my favorite".  The other guy said "Yogi and Troy-fun to watch!".  I'm not sure how these guys get to see the games or even know the players, but they do.  Unfortunately, our bus left shortly and I didn't get to ask them.

Finally, our last day was in Cozumel, which was my least favorite port.  There are merchants all along the port selling "handmade"  items.  2 guys were sitting together, one of them had an IU hat on. I walked by and told him I liked his hat (and pointed to mine).  The guy sitting with him said (jokingly) "Nah, he's a loser like IU.  UK is the best".  Before I could reply, someone walking with us (no clue who they were) said "Oh, UK fan?  You should come back and play for UK- you'd make more money doing that than selling this stuff".  I about lost it. 

Anyway, sorry for the long post.  Just had to share that I ran into IU fans everywhere I went :)

 

[Naturalhoosier 15,439]

Welcome back. Glad to hear the trip was a safe one!

[Hovadipo 57,422]

Haha good stuff. Those guys knowing Yogi, Troy, and Vic is absolutely awesome.

[ccgeneral 38,084]

Welcome back buddy! Thanks for sharing.

[CampHoosier 3,697]

IU is far reaching that's for sure. I'll never forget being in Stratford up Avon (birthplace and home of Shakespeare). I was wearing an IU shirt on this tour and some guy yelled across the house as the tour guide was explaining where Shakespeare sneezed or something "HOOOOOSIERS!" The Dutch tourists had no idea what was going on. We met up outside. He graduated in '79 and saw us win a National Championship. This was right before Crean arrived. He was vacationing with his wife on a year long cruise. Yes, a cruise that you stay on for 12 months that goes to every continent. When I asked his name to shake his hand before leaving he said "the bastard of 3rd street." Awesome.