Streetball

Hey folks, me again. I'm sure I won't be doing the majority of posting on this thing, and hopefully when we get settled in it will be more like weekly or monthly updates instead of every 2 days...but seeing as I'm currently unemployed I've got some time on my hands...

So there's this guy in charge of student activities at the school that told me about some pickup b-ball games at a nearby park close to our place. He did warn me that it was a little different than the states, but I decided to check it out last night and had to walk around for 1/2 hour before I could even find it. This city is flippin' huge.

Anyways, I was excited to play, but when I got to the park and saw these janky hoops w/ no nets, and a few mothers and kids playing, I was a little skeptical. But I waited around and eventually a few guys showed up looking to play, so we started up some 3-3.

I should say that I was feeling pretty good before the games got started because I was pry the tallest guy on the court. However, I quickly lost any good feelings when the game got started, because Mexican streetball is a flippin' slugfest where noone calls a foul! You had guys falling down, catching elbows, pushing, etc. They later explained to me that because I was the biggest, they had to push and shove me to make it more even. What!?!?

On top of that, they play that if you rebound a ball, you can go straight back up with it instead of taking it back past the 3 point line. So here I am getting pummeled everytime I get a rebound. It got to a point where I'd start shooting outside just for a break in the melee under the hoop. These guys wouldn't call a foul on themselves, it was the whole 'machismo' thing in how hard they could hit or get hit. And, none of these guys can dribble a basketball or shoot with one hand. It's like they just throw it at the hoop and then the carnival under the basket starts! Everytime I would try to set a pick they would pass me the ball!?! I'd say one of the hardest things to do is keeping your temper throughout the course of the game.

Needless to say, I walked home much slower than I walked there, and am currently looking through the phone book for places that sell cheap massages.

On another note, I'm exploring a few potential work options but may have to get my visa status changed from dependent to work, otherwise Tutoring would be a doable option. I'm looking for more information from the school, the U.S. Embassy and a few other ideas.

That's it from me for now,

Hasta Luego