Hello everyone,
Another day at the office… wait, no we are living our dreams as legends of sepak takraw, a fast-paced and creative hybrid of soccer and volleyball. The kids pull us towards the sepak takraw court which was situated in the middle of the school yard. As we fill the court with two teams of three, the students lined the sidelines and surrounding balconies, separated into two supporting sections. The game starts when one player at the net lobs a small ball back to a teammate who kicks it over the net. Each team has three touches using any part of the body except the hands and arms. Its me Aidan, CJ and Juan on one side and two elementary school students and the school director on the other. After we get a few rallies going, we decide to play a match to 21. Each successful kick or flick is met with a cheer from the supporting side. Basic kicks give way to headers and then to aerial flying kicks and scorpion kicks (kicking the ball with your heel as the ball flies over your head and behind your back). Long rallies build the arena’s noise level to an electric climax when a point is scored, at which point the scoring team high fives the front row of their supporters who have now rushed the court. We’re good, but so are they. However, their home field advantage is curbed by the fact that we somehow have at least as many of their peers screaming their heads off for us as they do. After a tough fight, Juan goes for a final flying kick with the sole of his outstretched foot. The small ball flies over the directors head and out of reach of his attempted scorpion kick. It lands just inside the back line and its over. Unfortunately our 3-14 year old friends aren’t capable of hoisting us on their shoulders, but they mob us all the same. After a day of painting, teaching and scheduling orders of a new playground, we say goodbye to the kids and teachers for the day and head home exhausted, looking forward to another fantastic home-cooked meal from our second mothers Fatima and Rose.
Love,
Juan, CJ, Aidan and Zoe
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