Of Goats and Economists

I sit here tonight in a rather good mood despite a mixture of both good and bad having come my way these past two days.  The bad concerns my soccer game this past Sunday, and we will start there so as to add more of a climax to my divulgence of the good news.

This past weekend I played in my 3^rd official game as a semi-professional soccer player in South Africa (has a nice alliterative ring to it, doesn’t it?), and for the third game in a row I scored a goal.  Three games, three goals.  Not bad statistics, and certainly not something to consider bad news.  Unfortunately, unlike my first two games, my goal did not serve as the game winner even though it should have.

Non-soccer fans may skip this next paragraph of slightly self-serving sports commentary (my tongue is on a roll today).  We went down a goal early off of poor defending on a counterattack, but soon equalized off a long range goal from one of our midfielders from about 25 yards out.  About midway through the second half, we earned a corner, and that’s where I earned my money (if I was actually earning any).  The ball came floating through the air about 8 yards from the goal line, but unfortunately, we were facing the sun and were blinded by another orb slightly larger and brighter than the one branded Adidas.  Nonetheless, I maintained my gaze into the glare, and at the last moment, I sighted the ball in time to head it past two defenders in the goal into the back of the net.  Regrettably, it would not end up being the last goal of the game as we almost immediately gave up a penalty kick at the other end, which was converted, only to be followed by a soft goal with 5 minutes to go caused by poor defending and goalkeeping.  I was, therefore, robbed of my game-winning glory, and Young Stars recorded their first defeat of the season by a scoreline of 3-2.

The most interesting thing about the game, however, had nothing to do with the players but rather some thirsty fans.  Three times during the match, just as the ball was about to be put back into play from a goal kick, free kick, or what have you, the referee summarily blew his whistle to stop all action until a very friendly-looking herd of goats cold be removed from the pitch.  It seems there was a puddle of water on one stretch of the dirt (this, like many fields in Africa, was a grassless field), and it, being a hot day, seemed like an ideal watering hole for this tribe of horned companions.  Now, I have had matches stopped before because of lightning, thunder, rain, darkness, and even out-of-control parents, but I can honestly say this was the first time I have experienced a goat-stoppage.  Makes me wonder how the referee records that in his official report (Stopped game at 74:15 to throw rocks at goats who were conducting an illegal pitch invasion in order to water near the corner flag).

I’m sure that most of you read that scintillating story with some amusement but really all the time were hoping I would get over with it and get to the big news.  Well, ladies and gentleman, the time has arrived.  When I arrived home after school today, there was a surprise waiting for me.  The woman who I am currently staying with, had picked up the mail from the school’s mailbox which I use to have things sent to me, and informed me that I had received something.  She jostled through her handbag, and finally opened it up to reveal none other than...the most recent edition of “The Economist”.  That’s right, my subscription has now been reactivated and is being sent to my address in South Africa.   

When I decided to join the Peace Corps, the idea of not being able to receive “The Economist” was one of my main concerns, as I’m sure you can imagine.  Alas, I was placed in a country with enough development and in an urban enough part of that country to still have access to this oh-so-quality publication.  I’m sure by now, you, like myself, are absolutely bursting with joy and perhaps shedding a few tears as well at this triumph, so I will leave you dear reader to further contemplate this reunion of two long-lost friends, and I will retire to read about Europe’s rescue plan.

South African English Word of the Day

bakke – pickup truck

In South Africa, like in most parts of the world, bakkes are multi-purpose vehicles just as useful for hauling hay as they are for large groups of people.