May 15, 2004

LMULions.com: You are one of the more experienced travelers of this group, aren't you?

Dustin Brown: I guess so. I had the chance to travel with my mother. I have been to Italy, Belgium, Amsterdam, England, Figi and I went to Australia with my team.

LMU: So is there anything new on this trip?

DB: I have never really traveled with a group except to Australia. I had not been to France or Pisa. And I had not been to Monaco. That was a real good one to get on my list of places I have been.

LMU: Why is that?

DB: It is surreal. It is one of the world's richest countries and it is the size of Central Park in New York. Not only that, it is breath taking. But I am pretty excited, Italy is my favorite place because of the people.

LMU: What is it about travel you like?

DB: It is the people. As Americans we take for granted everything we have and the fact that most people speak English. Out here I want to make an effort to learn and speak the language and communicate with the people. I really think that when we travel to someone's country, they like it when we make an effort to speak the language, as bad as it might be for us speaking it.

LMU: How bad do you speak it?

DB: Actually, not so bad. I took an Italian class this past semester so that, for the most part, I can use it for this trip. Thanks to my professor, Bruno Rota, I have been able to communicate out here. It has been a great time.

LMU: So you are comfortable out here?

DB: I love it here. Thankfully, my mother has been here enough that I know some people through her. In fact, we were able to meet a gentleman that owns a leather store here in downtown Florence. He gave us over 60% off on original Italian leather jackets. That is a great deal, I am pump. I will get it shipped to me in a week or so, no shipping. I love it here.

- GO LIONS -