Melisasa

Last weekend was Ulticopa, the last tournament I will be playing in while I'm here in Mexico. I felt really sad when it ended, because it meant I am closer to leaving this country and this is probably the last time I will play along side the friends and team mates I've made here.

Last weekend, I had a bout of food poisoning which landed me in an ambulance, emergency ward for an hour, afterwhich I left for my team mate's house, before going to Tlaxcala for Mexico's 3rd CNU - sort of like a regionals frisbee tournament.

It's really not as bad as it sounds.

My stomach didn't feel well that morning but I thought it was just indisgestion and ignored it. But when I was at the bus stop, it really didn't feel well, and thankfully the busstop was just outside the main gate of UDLAP. I felt slightly dizzy and told the security guard, who called the ambulance from UDLAP's medical school, that took me to the school's emergency ward/clinic. It felt seriously overrated, when they took my blood pressure, temperature and blood level in the emergency ward. (First time I got my finger pricked!) The doctor gave me some pills, a prescription which I eventually threw away, cos I couldn't find the pharmacy and po chai wans were good enough, and out I went.



The tournament went on really smoothly though. No tummy problems except towards the end when I ate too much.


I have totally forgotten the rush of adrenaline and excitement that comes with every frisbee tournament, and this was such a good reminder. The fact that the Lobas girls were really upbeat contributed to the overall feel-good factor of the tournament too.

The first game was physically hard though, with the air being thinner and me still unacclimatised. At half time I was coughing like an old man, cos my throat was just too dry. But I was ready by the second game and it was epic. The other team had a 38 years old player who had only played for 5 years (seriously?! joining ultimate at 33? RESPECT.) and she can run as fast/if not faster than most of the girls here. Her hucks were all on. point. And not to mention, she has the best spirit on field. I mean who celebrates their opponent's scores with you?! She does. She celebrates beautiful executed points in the spirit and love for ultimate. <3



The rest of day 1 was spent watching the opens, and towards the end, freezing in the wind. I was so not prepared for the weather. It was probably 12 degrees celcius, but with the wind, my pinky was going numb. I only had a long sleeved jersey, a sweater, and a rain jacket. It was nothing to the Mexicans though.





The night was then spent at the house of one of the girl's we played. It was a last minute decision because the driver was too tired/high to drive back. This has gotta to be my most hobo experiences ever. I literally had to wear the same clothes for the whole tournament. The girl stayed alone and was so nice to lend her place out to 10 of us. Dinner was pizza and beer (none for my churning stomach) and a birthday celebration for one of the guys. I remembered being taught Salsa before crashing in the bed, and subsequently joined by 3 other girls. Squashed, like sardines. I don't know what time the others partied till, but they must have a portable battery, because the guys all had 5 games that day, and each lasted at least an hour.



Day 2 of the tournament was great. We arrived just in time to start the game without warming up and won the team that eventually claimed first in the tournament. That's how round robin works I guess. The highlight was the rest of the day was the mens finals. Avalon vs Xalaperos. Both teams will be playing in PAUC in Cancun too. They played in the wind, rain and there were lots of skys, dives and epic hucks.


The journey back to Puebla was surprisingly fast, or perhaps it was because I was knocked out tired, and that concluded the end of my most reckless weekend yet.

PS: mum and dad, if you're reading this, this is just part of the exchange and growing up. I'm learning to take care of myself and sometimes I slip up, but I have lots of friends here that will take care of me. Don't worry! <3

The last Saturday I joined the local frisbee team for a training and I forgot how much I missed Ultimate.
After the training, it was a mad rush back to the hostel to bathe and get changed for...a birthday party! I met Gaby in UDLAP on my first Art, History and Culture class. I asked if the class was in English and she said no. It turns out that she was wrong and she couldn't understand the class at all. The translator came into play and even though neither of us speak each other's language, we became friends!

On Saturday, she invited us over to her grandpa's birthday party. We had no idea what to expect and what to bring. In the end, we ended up bringing ice cream. They served it to the guest later on, so I guess it's a good.

But the food we had there was amazing. The family prepared Memelas O Gorditas as appetisers, followed by pasta with blended cheese, cream and bell pepper. Next came the Chiles en Nogada. This was the highlight. It was so so good, and can only be found in Puebla. Dessert was jelly in cream cheese, the birthday cake, and the ice cream we bought.

When we arrived, most of the relatives were already there and the family were busy making the Chiles en Nogada. It was just like a factory. There were people whipping the egg white, followed by people filling the chili with the meat-fruit fillings, followed by the people covering the chili with flour and egg white, followed by the people frying the chili and placing it one side to cool. Family unity at its best.


This took place while the appetisers were served. When the chili was all done and served, the mexican band started playing the family members took turns to make a speech for the grandpa.

Gaby brought us into the kitchen to help with the jelly too. I think I ended up eating too many jellies though. After which we hung around with the family members and the guests and it was a great evening. It lasted from 4pm all the way till 8+pm. So thankful for the invite and opportunity to be part of the local community!

Watch the video of the band here: https://instagram.com/p/6baubJiPt_/?taken-by=melisasa