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Time Travels

When I was 19 I decided to try to make a vague dream a reality and received a chance of a lifetime...

I could spend three months with Academia Tahuichi, in Bolivia...

I would train with the team that was preparing for an international tournament, the Dallas Cup.

My investment was to quit my job, pay for my flight, my food, my lodging and sweat like I had never sweat before.

I paid gladly.

After the first few days of training, I was sure I was in hell...everything hurt...even my eyelashes!

I had run up and down steep sand dunes so many times that I could hardly sit, because I knew that I would not be able to get up again, so tired were my legs!

Luckily, as with most things, just by pushing myself and patience, the pain went away and I was a new person, a new body, a professional football player!

Now, a few days later, (yes, time does really seem to fly!) I am back in Santa Cruz, and can see what my friends of those days have been up to!

Raul has two kids and had an illustrious career, with a couple of season in Sweden, National team and Copa America. Still the same mischievious smile and friendliness as ever!

Coach Ciro is exactly the same as before, time is his smiling friend!

Some of the other players I have met during the years or have followed their prowess in professional leagues, some I might still see in the next weeks...


I can see how the Academy has changed and what has become of that experiment with me...

The Tahuchi Way program

... has seen hundreds of young players from all different countries go through the same excruciating pain and ultimate satisfaction that I had the privilege of living!

My role now is quite different, coach, coordinator, translator, and whatever else can help make these young football enthusiasts fulfill their dream, like I managed to fulfill mine!



And,


For Some Reason...

I am running those Dunes again!

Solidarity?
Bravado?
Memories?
Sadism?

I don't know why exactly, but, I am going through most of the training myself...

although, I must admit that I am beginning to feel 19 again!

Time?

Maybe, like somebody really clever said, time might just be relative!

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