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Published: July 14th 2008
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Where I lay my headWork.
Almost forgot about that word!
Now I am fully immersed in it and, funnily enough, time is flying!
Everything is taken care of, sort of.
I mean, everything is taken care of except for the unexpected... which seem to happen daily!
Alberto and I are living with a Bolivian Family, maid included.
We are fed twice a day, our clothes are washed and our rooms cleaned and there have even been a couple of parties at our house, until the early hours of the morning, with 12-man-band included!
In exchange, we are picked up by our young, dapper chauffeur at 8:15 every day (yes, Sunday as well!), and dropped off at 18:15... 10 hours, unless there is something unexpected.
At 8:30 meeting with Tania Aguilera, Tahuichi Boss, daughter of the founder Roly.
At 8:45 quick words with Head Coach Ciro Medrano regarding the daily program.
At 9:00 Good morning to the 28 players... if they are all there.
Ciro explains the day, I translate and give any extra info. Or translate a motivational presentation given by the resident psychologist or a Rest, Recuperation and Nutrition presentation by the Doctor.
After the
Those Dunes
Back to school, body logistics are taken care of...
Off to the field!
That's what everyone is really here for:
to improve technically, tactically and physically as much as possible in one month of intense, twice daily training. Two hours of training, where I translate, motivate, participate, demonstrate, coach, check out on the injured players, inform the doctor (always present)
Lunch at noon, sort out anything else, rest a bit, then, training again, or a game.
Finish at 17:30, meet again with Ciro and Tania, before calling it a day.
Sometimes, I have to call at 22:00 to make sure that everybody is at home... so that they are ready to give it all in the morning and are not at risk at night.
All the players stay with families, part of the whole cultural experience,sometimes training with the Tahuichi kids who number... 3000!
3000 boys and girls from 5 to 20 years old, who train every day, are given free medical and dental services, are fed and clothed.
Only about 300 kids actually pay to play and learn from this extremely successful Academy, the rest all come from donations and sponsorships.
Some
Run
Example even get to stay and live in the dorms:
The chosen ones, the ones who have outstanding talent, the ones who have a chance of making it to the pro leagues or, a scholarship to a University in the United States.
In actuality, only one or two players make it pro per year, but, 10 get scholarships. It is still well worth it to see all of these youngsters getting an opportunity to make something out of their lives.
It is funny, though, with all this work, I actually feel like I am playing and the time is flying!
When I do the translating, I realise that I am learning new skills and information, so I am constantly challenged.
At the awards ceremony the other night, I was asked to be the presenter, partly because I had to translate for Ciro, partly because I was one of the few that could speak english to the players.
Very weird to have a microphone and try and make it fun and brief!
Now, I get a day off, getting ready for the second group... 45 players between 13 and 20!
Looks like another intense month
Goal!
Susan dreaming of un-work!
Hasta Pronto Amigos,
Still Smiling!
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mila
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Action!
It's all beautiful. You're beautiful.