A two-day visit in the Cono Sur – Part 2
A two-day visit in the Cono Sur – Part 2
Friday, January 27
For the rest of this afternoon the students engaged in sporting activities: Frisbee, volleyball, and, for 2 hours, soccer. The Frisbee and soccer took place in the neighborhood’s park area under high tension powerlines where houses can’t be built. Although the surrounding desert hills dotted with shantytown houses looked markedly distinct from the green cornfields by the GC soccer field, the futbol played on a concrete slab was the same. As some of our players remarked later, the game is a universal language. In the photos you see a lot of smiling, laughing faces around a well-worn and tattered ball.
The volleyball game started about the same time soccer was winding down, and it continued into the dark, when it became difficult to continue taking pictures.
Here is Mark’s journal entry, “A Pick-up Game in Villa Maria.”
For me and several of my other classmates, the highlight of my time in Peru so far took place this past Friday. Following a morning of painting and the ensuing large lunch, a number of us headed to the concrete soccer (futbol) field for a pick-up game between our motley SST crew (full disclosure: at least 4 of us have significant soccer experience) and a team of teenagers from the neighborhood. With Maria as our trusty goalkeeper in back, we launched into the event.
I have long heard soccer described as a “universal language,” but have rarely had the opportunity to put that into action. Reflecting now, I can whole-heartedly say that adage is true. Excepting a few rule variances, it was a beautiful thing that both teams instantly understood the operating structure – in that sense, we were both sharing in the same culture.
Both teams could appreciate when someone made a nice pass or had a good touch or shot. After being used to not understanding a lot of what people say or even do, it was refreshing to immediately grasp the significance or beauty or humor in a play.
Following the long final game, both teams went out to enjoy cold soda at a little corner store. We talked about each other’s lives, interests, favorite soccer players, and more. In a few short hours we had formed community and had a great time. I look forward to more of these spontaneous and invigorating moments in Peru.
