In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned how baseball is the most popular sport in the Dominican Republic. While that is still true, I have come to realize that Dominicans can get into about almost any sport. After volunteering at Centro Juvenil, my friend Joe (another Accion volunteer) invited me to one of his soccer practices. A couple of the kids from the center were also on his team so we rode over to the fields together. The team was made up of both Haitians and Dominicans--some of the boys I even recognized from the center. At first, I was just watching them practice as the rest of the team was arriving. However, soccer is in my blood and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to play. As the only girl on a team of 14 guys, it can be intimidating. However, ask any of the guys on that field and they will tell you that I held my own. I managed to assist in a goal and had a couple good shot attempts myself.
Wednesday night (7/17) Maria and I were invited out to a Santiago Metros basketball game. Of course I said yes to the opportunity. Not only was it awesome to see a basketball game, but it was inexpensive too. It took two concho (taxi) rides to get over to the arena (and two to get back) which in total is about 80 pesos or $2. However, the concho rides cost more than the ticket which was only 50 pesos ($1.25). The Metros were playing another team from the Dominican Republic: Caneros de la Romana. At first, the score wasn't close with the Metros leading by 15+ for the first three quarters. However, it got pretty intense at the end with a close Metros win of only four points! The ending score was 90-86. Interestingly enough, during the basketball game, they kept playing baseball cheers! (The influence is strong). Afterwards we stayed to meet the players. Two of the boys from Accion Callejera Centro Juvenil also came with us to watch the game; they were so excited to meet their favorite players! It was interesting to find out that of the starting five players for the Metros, three of them were American: Michael Glover, Julien Mills, and Maurice Carter. Maurice (below) was really nice and stayed to talk with Maria and I. We found out he is from Indianapolis!
Wednesday night (7/17) Maria and I were invited out to a Santiago Metros basketball game. Of course I said yes to the opportunity. Not only was it awesome to see a basketball game, but it was inexpensive too. It took two concho (taxi) rides to get over to the arena (and two to get back) which in total is about 80 pesos or $2. However, the concho rides cost more than the ticket which was only 50 pesos ($1.25). The Metros were playing another team from the Dominican Republic: Caneros de la Romana. At first, the score wasn't close with the Metros leading by 15+ for the first three quarters. However, it got pretty intense at the end with a close Metros win of only four points! The ending score was 90-86. Interestingly enough, during the basketball game, they kept playing baseball cheers! (The influence is strong). Afterwards we stayed to meet the players. Two of the boys from Accion Callejera Centro Juvenil also came with us to watch the game; they were so excited to meet their favorite players! It was interesting to find out that of the starting five players for the Metros, three of them were American: Michael Glover, Julien Mills, and Maurice Carter. Maurice (below) was really nice and stayed to talk with Maria and I. We found out he is from Indianapolis!
I wanted to post this for my brother who (for only 16 years old) is already an amazing basketball player. Love you bro!
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