Final thoughts: Pines/Bangy

At first I was hesitant about going to the Philippines.  I didn’t know if it would be worth the hassle of rescheduling all my final exams and potentially jeopardizing my grades.  I mean, I didn’t even have a Philippine passport yet, so there was definitely the possibility that I wouldn’t even be able to play.  However, I decided to take a chance and trust Tito Ernie that my documents would be approved and my passport would be processed.  If something went wrong with my documents, at least I would know I tried.  All my friends told me I should take this opportunity, and my parents said the same.  So, every time I had doubts about going, I just kept telling myself that I’d rather regret going to the Philippines than regret not going. 

         If I didn’t play with the Philippines, I know 100% that I would have regretted that decision.  I am so happy that I decided to go and it truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity and an incredible experience that I will never forget.  We may not have gotten the result we wanted against Thailand, and we may not go to the World Cup, but being part of a team who got their first-ever shutout against another team ranked 27 places higher is something that I am proud of.  I got my first international ‘cap’ and I was able to play for the country that my mother was born and raised in.

My 3 roomies in the Philippines

         Off the field, I had such a fun time with all the girls and made a lot of new friendships.  Yeah, I met a lot of the girls back in November and March, but after those two camps, I only referred to the majority of the girls as teammates.  Now, I consider every single Maldita a true friend, and I know I will stay in touch with everyone.   

         So, thank you to everybody who convinced me to go.  It was definitely the right decision, and although I got homesick at times, I was surrounded by people who made it all worthwhile.  

15 things I have learned so far while being abroad:

1. you will find nice people wherever you go. stereotypes suck. they make you think that some of the nicest people might be scary just because of their outer appearance.

2. soccer really is a universal language.  

3. there is no point in showering during the day in the Philippines because the humidity is so high you will continue to sweat until you go to bed.  however, you end up showering 3 times a day anyway.

4. the lanes don't matter in the Philippines--cars will take up whichever part of the road they please.  they only partially matter in Bangladesh.  i wonder what would happen if we ignored the lanes in the states...

5. crosswalks don't exist, and neither does jay walking. multiple people get hit in the Philippines because they cross the road whenever, wherever.

6. Filipinos give you food any time you go into their house. a lot of it. and it's always delicious.

7. mango shakes = nom. mango anything = nom. fruit shakes = double nom.

8. the U.S. should add more color to our public forms of transit.  jeepneys make me happy. the more colorful, the happier. rickshaws also make me happy.

9. what is a rickshaw? well, if a carriage and a tricycle got together and had a baby, they would produce a rickshaw and they are one of the most common forms of transportation in Bangladesh.

10. language barriers suck.

11. massages are cheap and 10x better in the Philippines than in America.

12. tri-colored beards are very common in Bangladesh. they are usually a mix of grey, black, and orange.  if someone only has one beard color, orange is the most popular.

13. you can't show your legs or your shoulders in Bangladesh. even after you're all sweaty and have just played soccer in 95 degree temperatures. pants it is! always.

14. although a dirty area, Bangladesh is very colorful (ex: the clothing and the rickshaws!)

15. it's okay for little boys to pee on the side of the road. it's also okay for old men to pee on the side of the road (in Bangy)