Friday, October 27, 2006"Working" on my birthday
Today I am 19, yet as I explained to most people, it's not thast big of a deal- 19 is the in-between age that doesn't matter. You're already legal (happens at 18), you're not turning into a new decade (happens at 20), you're not old enough to drink (happens at 21), and your car insurance doesn't go down (happens at 25). So when I was asked to do some minor computer work on my birthday, I didn't mind at all.
The computer work is easy- we just move files form the computer onto a central server in Miami. However, the job takes an incredible amount of time due to the constant copying and pasting of huge audio files. So after a couple hours, me and my cousin set the machine to copy a couple flies that would take hours, got some food to go, and went to go visit a friend who teaches at a school here.
The school is unique and run by CongressWBN- the group I am associated and working for. We ate in the staff room and then went outside to watch the football game- and this is what I want to talk about.
The football (soccer) here is an institution; everyone plays and whenever a game is held, there is always a turnout. Because the school loves football so much, they did a thing usually done by private school and created innerschool teams, dividing the classes into four teams (each with loyal followers based on what friend playes for what team) that can meet and play whenever they like. Usually fridays (I was told) are the days for playing.
Today two teams met and played.
First to be mentioned in this woderful time was the student turnout. Though all the students went to the same school and were undoubtedly friends, when the teams got on the field, it was amazing how quickly the sectarianism showed up. All in friendliness and competitivness mind you, but still, each side of the field had its followers.
Second to be noted were the player and their conditions. Each player was a student who played in what he thought best. Some had shin guards, some didn't. Some had shoes, some were barefoot, some wore uniforms while others didn't. It was a fair mix of outfit combinations. The students themselves were magnificient. They played with heart and couldn't resist a few jokes now and then. For example, when one student controlled the ball to such an extent that he was bouncing it on his head repetitivly, his competitor guarding him decided it would be funny to put his hand on the other guys' head while the ball was in the air, so he was fooling around with his timing. Such incidencnes lightened the mood. Also, the field was unique in that is was just space- the ground wasn't even, some spots had grass while others were dirt, and the goals were rusted, yet this look only furthur amplified the feeling of fun and dedication.
Lastly to be noted, was the music and the energy in the air. Students for one team brought out their drums and trumpets and maracas and cowbells (yes, cowbells), and played some seemingly African beat, spicing up the energy until even the referee was bouncing up and down and dancing around. Everyone went nuts over it.
When the game came to PKs, the musical group went wild when their team won with two correct kicks. They drumming spead up to a breakneck speed and the cowbell and whistles flared without rythem, yet everything fit.
It was amazing.
Then, just like that, all the students packed up, went back inside, and started classes again, while me and my cousin were banished back to the (air conditioned thank God!) computer room to finish our server uploading.
Tonight is no work however, and I plan to go to my favourite jerked chicken stand and get some good grub with some friends. Maybe I'll have some fun and write about it later....
