And I'm back in the game!

• Duff32's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Astigarraga

Trip Start Oct 27, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Jan 22, 2009 Next
Entry

  Astigarraga, Basque, Spain
Thursday, November 6, 2008

 After a
5-month hiatus I am once again playing basketball. The long story of how it
came about requires a sit down conversation, in person, over a cup of tea. If
you really want that then contact me once I return to the states. But the main
idea is that in broken Spanish I was able to track down a club basketball team
in the neighboring town. I found the non-english speaking coach and asked if I
could play. He said yes, at least I think he did. Either way I showed up and
practiced with team Mundarro in Astigarraga, Spain. Yeah, try finding that
place! It was an adventure. But that is what I set out for anyways and I am not
to be disappointed.

  On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I take
an 8-minute bus ride to Asigarraga from Hernani and walk another 5 minutes or
so uphill to the gym. One of my teammates gives me a ride back afterwards. Tonight was my second practice and it feels so good to be
playing again. Since I am not technically a resident and I just showed up I
cannot play in games on weekends. This is fine with me for now because I am
having a blast and learning so much about the language and culture. To add
basketball to that is just "icing on the cake." The only thing that could make
it better is if I could share this experience with family and friends. Ahhhh... J That is where this silly blog comes into play.

  My new teammates have accepted me
surprisingly well. I think they are really amused or just really nice. If I
were a betting person I would say it is the former. Not everyday does a random
person, by herself, appear at their gym and ask (in very poor Spanish) to play
with a team in the middle of the season. One player speaks pretty good English
and three or four others can communicate a little. They said that I will catch
on fast and that it is also good for them to practice their English. It is
going well but not without a few embarrassing mistakes here and there. Very
humbling.

  Since I showed up early the coach sat
down with me and went through the days drills. A drawing board, some Xs and Os,
and a few verbs were all we needed to get that across. Of course I was nervous:
about the language, new people, having not played for a long time... At warm-ups
I did that stupid anxiety thing where I forget to breath. Not healthy. But
after stretching I re-grouped and was ready. Nothing to freak out about because
I have always wanted to play ball in Spain, and I've done it a million times in
my mind. All that positive mental imagery stuff came up and then a catchy,
successful slogan: "Be like Nike, and JUST DO IT!" So I did. And it was great!

  Not far into practice I realized that my
lack of Spanish was being overshadowed by something stronger. A universal
language of the game? That would be my best guess. I will not contradict my
former coaches and say that communication is unimportant. Communication it is vital.
But there are more ways to communicate than through words. Which is appropriate
I think because for me basketball is a game that no words can describe. Cheesy,
yep, but if you are reading this blog you probably were onto me already. J

  Oh yeah.... I also wanted to shout out to the Lady Yotes for their win against Weber. Taking down a Div I school is kind of a big deal, people will know you for it. :) Keep up the good work and best wishes for you all this season!

Print this entry Share Bilbao hotels

Previous Entry Next Entry