It had been a minute since I traveled to La Ciudad de México or Mexico City (CDMX). My last trip there was in October 2020. CDMX has been struggling with COVID, just as many large cities around the world have. They had been in the “red zone” on the COVID containment spectrum, which meant everything was closed except pharmacies, hospitals, and grocery stores. Even the streets, typically filled nonstop with city traffic, were quiet. Anyone who knows Mexico City knows how eerie this would be.

After a few weeks in el rojo and with the vaccine rollout, the COVID numbers began to improve. I was in touch with Pablo from Ministerios de Amor  about running a program with one of their casas in CDMX. While I was in Puerto Vallarta, I continued organizing and speaking with them, hoping the stars might align. 

“In the meantime, if you could just keep us posted with your plans and update us about a negative covid test, that would be great,” Pablo last told me. They were serious about combative COVID measures, as are we, so this was certainly comforting for me to see.

I took an antigen test, negative, waited a week, then a PCR, tested negative again – and told Pablo I was ready whenever they were. “¡Perfecto! Whenever you can come we are ready for you here.”

I was so excited to work with this team that Pablo even discussed a potential longer visit with a few of their other homes! They have four more casas in Cuernavaca which is about an hour outside of la ciudad.

For now, I just wanted to place all my focus on the first two programs with the 45 niñas at Casa Hogar Ministerios de Amor CDMX. I set up shop at my usual host family in La Condesa, did a quick Google search for Ministerios de Amor – “oh perfecto, 2 miles! Just 10 minutes away” I said with a sigh of relief. 

Then major flashbacks to my trip to Puerto Vallarta, where there were a few streets named the same and I ended up in the wrong place. I confirmed the address with Pablo, but it turns out again I had the wrong one. He sent over another. “50 minutes away.” My sign of relief turned into a groan of despair. Like in New York City, 50 minutes away in traffic could easily take two to three hours.

I headed out bright and early for our scheduled program at 1 p.m. It was a bit unusual. I didn’t have much time to prepare equipment and inflate soccer balls. I got creative and asked my Uber driver for a quick favor. “Hola amigo… I have a program today with like 45 girls from a Casa Hogar… is it okay if I use my portable electric pump and inflate some soccer balls while we drive there?”

He was super cool and obliged, admitting to me it was the first time he received such a request. Every once in a while he would turn around and smile, “¿Guau? You inflated all of those already?” “Sí amigo. This thing is like magic, it’s like my superpower!”

Finally, we arrived at the door of la casa – I recognized it from Google maps. I rang the doorbell. Once. Twice. No response. I began to get a bit antsy, in a new neighborhood with far too many bags in tow, which included three garbage bags visibly full of soccer balls and two pieces of luggage filled with more equipment

Finally, “¿Hola?” I heard from the other side of the tall door and gate. “Hola, I’m here to speak with Rosita?” I said. “Ah si!” 

“Also, I know we planned for one group of 20 for an hour, but since I’m here already would it be possible to do another group of 25 for an hour afterwards? Just so everyone gets a chance to participate.”

“Si!!” Rosita said. “As you can imagine, the girls are super excited,” added another staff member. My heart leapt with joy. 

Gradually, some older girls filtered in – all willing to help set up equipment for our first session. One girl even excitedly asked, “¿Debemos vestir nuestras camisetas o colores similares para distinguir nuestros equipos?” Should we wear our jerseys or similar colors to distinguish teams?” The staff members weren’t lying… These girls really were excited!

The grids were set up and the first group walked out – single file, one by one, as if walking down the players tunnel in a Champions League match. This session would be with the younger girls at la casa, and as a result, the energy was extremely high

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They all had face masks on, and older girls supervised the session, quickly reminding them to fix or wear them if they began to fall down. 

“Okay girls, today we have a special soccer program” I began, as I always do. “I need three things from you today… your attention, your energy, and your respect.” I added. “And if I have all those, we have a gift for you at the end of the program… maybe even… a soccer ball”. Eyes lit up, followed by oohs and ahhs.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that It was incredibly special to run two all-female programs just one day after International Women’s Day. It is funny how life works sometimes! A small step towards creating a more equal and just world through sport is important for me and a goal I hope to achieve. 

We jumped into our usual curriculum and the girls gave all their energy and then some! After knocking out all of our greatest hits, I gathered the girls around with about 10 minutes left in the session. As we all caught our breaths, I thanked them for the experience and thanked them for giving me all three of those things from before.

“As promised, I have some gifts for you – to say thank you.” I said. We had played mano o cabeza and the winners were rewarded with the first picks of the bunch, although we did have a ball for each participant as usual.

“Also girls, I have this soccer ball bracelet for you too. And this little booklet where you can draw, you can write your dreams, whatever you want! It’s a gift from my mother,” I said. “She’s an artista,” I added.

After this, we relaxed and talked as we rested after the energy-filled session. “Maestro, where are you from?” a young girl asked. “France?”

“Why France?” I said

“You have an acento,” she replied.

“I’m from the U.S.” I said. “But, I can speak some French,” as I quickly rattled off numbers 1-20 in my best accent. The girls were quick to respond, showing off their English by counting to ten and saying a perfect “Good Morning” even though it was already mid-afternoon. 

While I watched the younger girls head out, I saw the eager smiles of my second group coming in. I will be back Monday with more on this energetic second group!