Cabo San Lucas (Part 3)
While driving back to downtown Cabo San Lucas after our program with Comedor Shalom in November, one of the event organizers who accompanied me on my journey spotted a familiar face. Outside of the car was a kind woman named Linda who also runs a community kitchen in the same area called Comedor Linda. During this trip I was telling my contacts in the Cabo San Lucas area how I wanted to work with Comedor Linda, and what a coincidence it was to run into the kitchen’s namesake right there on the road!
After exchanging pleasantries and contact information, we left hoping to work together in the future. About a month later, I was back in Mexico in the mid-morning sun on a Thursday, watching the Comedor Linda kids stroll through the kitchen’s gates to play on a sandy, tire-lined field located not too far away. Similar to other programs at local kitchens, kids come to the center with their families and see soccer games happening. Then, kids from all over the barrio come out, in masses it seems, to learn, dream and play.
A few moments passed and there were about 25 participants. We started with our usual games, focusing on listening and reflexes, where kids worked in small teams, until gradually increasing to larger groups for relay races.
The kids laughed and smiled while their parents stood nearby under some shade from the beating Mexico sun. Linda took photos, beaming with pride and hoping that moments in time might become moments in eternity.
We played mano o cabeza, or head it, catch it as it is known in the United States. Participants are told to either head the ball or catch it, and must perform the opposite when their turn comes around – for a true test of concentration and wit. The winners of the game received a prized soccer ball.
After the fun and games, we broke off into a full 11 on 11 scrimmage, complete with goalies and all. The team, composed mostly of older boys jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead. “Basta, ya” or enough already I said as I inserted myself as goalie on the losing side. As I got to my position in goal, one of the older, more skilled players of the group approached me saying he wanted to join our side as well. This was a very cool moment that was completely unprovoked, but is ultimately what we look to teach our kids through our programs: sportsmanship.
“Alright everyone! 1-minute left… Golden Goal!”, I exclaimed.
Our team managed to mount an attack, led by a young boy named Héctor, who slotted the ball into the far corner of the goal. We celebrated, hooting and hollering! “Ganamos! We won!” I yelled.
After this game, we broke off into two sides with a ball on a cone perched about 15 feet away from another ball on a cone. The game was simple: each participant had one chance to knock over the ball from distance with a push pass. While I told them it was easy, I missed on my example shot, causing a bit of laughter from the crowd behind me. What can I say, I am not perfect! The winners received a soccer ball or a Nike soccer jersey from one of our partners at Oakwood Soccer Club. After my terrible miss, the first boy in line knocked the ball right off. Next person, *bang* another ball off. Number three in line, you guessed it another winner.
“How is this happening?” I thought as the kids passed with such finesse and poise on a rather bumpy terrain. Our list of winners was set and we moved over to the kitchen to take a break and distribute the prizes. After everything was distributed, I gathered some of the older participants to the side to show them an amazing video from Danny Barrera of the Hartford Athletic. Just days before this program, Danny sent me a video, similar to the one his teammate Ever Guzman created a few weeks earlier for another program in Mexico. The Athletic Captain has Colombian roots and left a message in Spanish for our young beneficiaries, encouraging them to take 10-15 minutes every day to practice touches on the ball while keeping their eyes up, which would improve their ball control and field vision. He then concluded things by wishing them and their families a Happy Holiday season and a Happy New Year.
In 2020, I am grateful that despite all of the obstacles, Around the Worlds was able to get back into communities near and far to bring the game of soccer and lessons in listening, confidence and character development. I appreciate all of our beneficiaries and partner organizations who allowed me to come into their hometown and work with some outstanding kids. I am excited to see where you all go in 2021, but remember to play, learn and dream together.
