Antonio Does the Chicago Bulls

CHICAGO - Moline Rotary Club Youth Exchange student Antonio Leite experienced another slice of American culture as he accompanied Moline Rotarian Gary Francque, his son Jason, and Gary's grandsons to Chicago on March 23rd & 24th to visit Chicago attractions and attend a Chicago Bulls game. On Sunday the group visited Gary's relatives in a Chicago suburb and Antonio received an interesting lesson in American wars gun history from Gary's retired history teacher cousin, who owns an extensive antique gun collection.  They capped off the night with supper at a great sports restaurant.

On Monday the guys headed into Chicago and toured downtown attractions including stops at Union Station and Navy Pier. They visited Navy Pier Botanical Gardens, shopped in Pier stores, including the famous Garrett Popcorn Shop, and lunched at the Harry Caray Restaurant & Museum. After lunch Antonio took time to pose for an artist's great caricature drawing of him as a souvenir.

The group then headed to Chicago's United Center for the highlight of the trip, attending a Chicago Bulls basketball game. Antonio was thrilled to receive a Derrick Rose bobble head and reveled in snuggling up with Bulls cheerleaders for a photo op. Antonio then experienced his first NBA basketball game - Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers. The game was exciting and intense, and the packed house of wild Chicago Bulls fans was quite a cultural experience for Antonio. This was Antonio's fourth trip to Chicago. See some great photos of Antonio's experience on Clubrunner under Photo Albums / ANTONIOS YOUTH EXCHANGE ADVENTURE/ Page 10.