Footbon on the Courts

Last night, I finished up work in the office about 5:30. Over the weekend I discovered that there is a soccer court behind my room. So after work I stopped by the court to see if anyone was playing. Sure enough there were a lot of guys who looked like they ranged from age 15-30 playing soccer with even more men and kids watching. As I watched and tried to see how the game was structured some of the younger boys came up to me and tried talking with me. I asked them their names and how they were doing (about all my Thai allows right now). Next thing I new some of the older men who were playing were asking me to play with them. I ran back to my room to get dressed for the occasion. When I returned, I was immediately placed on a team. The court was concrete and the goals were frames only. We played 5v5 with a size 3?4 ball rotating teams at every goal with winner staying on. We played for 1 1/2 hrs, well past the sunset. Though I could not say much to them, they all played hard and seemed to have a good time.

The people in my neighborhood area are getting used to seeing me. I think they have a curiosity about me/find me funny. There is a group of men who hangout in front of the door to my house. One of the men tells me hello in English and gives me a high five every time I pass by now.

It is fun to get in the community and hangout with the people. I have found that even though I do not know Thai, I do not have much difficulty participating in activities with Thai people. They are very nice and usually want to incorporate me in whatever they are doing at the time.