Mexican Soccer Game

I like to experience new things. Tonight, I experienced something new and felt inspired to write about it.

My next door neighbors are from Mexico. They truly are what neighbors are supposed to be: friendly, kind, and fun to hang out with. The family consists of a father and mother and three daughters ages twelve, ten, and three.

Abel, the father, loves soccer very much. He loves to watch it and above all else, play it. He has been after me for months to come watch one of his recreational games. Usually I always have something else going on, but tonight I was free.

The park that the game was taking place at is just down the street from me (we live in a very small town). When I got to the park I couldn't believe how many people were there, and more were showing up by the minute! All Mexicans. I was the only pale person there, and I could tell that my presence there was out of the norm for them.

I sat under a canopy with my neighbor Norma with her friend and Norma's three-year-old Yasmin in my lap. Norma is a phenomenal cook, and she was selling some of her tamales to the crowd. She also sold Powerade and homemade creamsicles from coolers. The question on everyone's lips was, "How much?" to which Norma would reply, "Un dollar." She was used to this; I've seen her sell food to a similar sized crowd at their church before. Throughout the game business trickled down, but it never completely stopped. It was a good business day for Norma, I think.

The game itself was amazing to watch. I'll be honest, I have never watched a soccer game before (I'm not really into sports that much). Twenty-two Mexican men ran around with elaborate, purposeful movements while the spectators watched on. The ball would arc over the field in the midst of pivots and whirls from the players. Spectators close to the fields would yell suggestions to their favorite team players in Spanish. Further away from the field, women clustered together while their small children would play close by. Toddlers would burst into tears and I could understand their mothers telling them to be quiet. Looking back at the game, a player could be seen trying to get around another player and falling to the ground, or a player having to retrieve the ball from out-of-bounds. Then a goal would be made and Norma and her friend would cheer for Abel's team.

It was so interesting to watch everyone having so much fun. Latin culture continues to enthrall me, and I love that I get to see what it's like first-hand. From Norma's homemade food to the colorful soccer jerseys, I had a really good time tonight!