Read Damon Lynn's blog about his experience so far in Paris.  Lynn is a freshman from Hillside, New Jersey.
 
Here is the ninth blog from the trip:
 
Wow, the Europe trip that everyone was so excited to embark on is slowly coming to an end. It was an awesome trip all around and I wouldn't think twice about coming back if I was given the chance.
 
It was a great opportunity to explore another country with my brothers.  Before we left, coach said: "This is a trip for basketball, we want you to have fun but I want to win and I know you guys do, too". So we worked hard in practice and we were prepared.
 
We had a lot of fun moments and when we stepped on the court we made a statement that we were going to do everything in our power to win. In a perfect world, we would have gone 5-0, but you can't win every game. I don't think the team is satisfied with losing a game and going home 4-1, but I know there are no regrets. We learned a lot about each other and the team as a whole. I cannot wait until November 8 when we start our season 1-0.
 
The way things were set up for us, to me, was a great feeling. We arrived at a hotel and they knew we were coming, had our rooms prepared. When we went on a tour, our tour guides were just as excited as we were and it made me feel special.
 
The little things don't seem important, but they stand out the most. Each country had different things to offer and different cultures. I don't think any two cities we visited had the same culture.
 
First stop was Amsterdam. Wwhen we got there I didn't know what to expect. The sights were all so beautiful. On the bus ride to our hotel it was a lot of grass and land so it seemed like home but when we got into the city it hit me that we were more than far from Newark.
 
Second stop was Belgium. When we got there it was rainy and dull outside but we did not sit in the hotel and call it a day; we walked around the city and it was still beautiful, rain or no rain.
 
There was a huge difference between Belgium and Amsterdam, though. Amsterdam had a lot of bars and clubs and Belgium was more of a laid back, calm environment.
 
So as we walk around Belgium I thought about waffles. You can't go to Belgium and not get a waffle, but it was a totally different waffle than I was used to. At home a waffle would be considered breakfast that we eat with syrup and eggs and things in that nature, but in Belgium it was a desert that they ate with all different types of toppings ranging from butter to fruit and chocolate. Best waffle I ever had in my life, sorry grandma.
 
Third and final stop was Paris, the city of love. The first day we had a boat tour and all I could think was wow, I see things like this on movies and I'm here right now, looking at it in person. It was breathtaking. Most people take pictures of the historical things and the Eiffel Tower but the buildings were a sight to see alone. They were so different and the architecture was advanced for a city that was built so long ago.
 
As we end this trip on a great note with a win by 40, we all go home with a smile.
 
I am truly thankful for everyone who put this together. I enjoyed the team bonding a lot, but I'm a little homesick so going back to Newark isn't so bad.
 
Hopefully I can sleep this 8-hour flight.
 
Au revoir Paris, hope to come back soon!