Center of attention

This afternoon I went to watch five of the Challenge Farm boys play in a soccer match. They were picked as best players to participate in a best-of-game similar to our All Stars at home. I brought my friend Meredith with me.(I am currently living in her house.) As we pulled up to the primary school where the games were being held, I couldn’t believe the turn out - about 2 thousand Kenyans. I know soccer is a big sport, but I was still surprised to see this many people.

Even though a fast paced game was in full motion, people began turning slowly and staring at us as we approached. Within minutes, we had close to one thousand eyes on us. The feeling was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I didn’t know if I should freeze or do a dance. The look on their faces made me feel as though I resembled an alien or maybe wasn't wearing any clothes. We continued walking up and people just parted like the Red Sea. Kenyans began ushering us over to some benches at the front of the playing field. All the seats were previously taken, but many got up to offer their seats. We did our best to refuse the service, but they would have it no other way. I thought that after we sat down, the crowd would return to focusing on the game. After all, we are not the only whites in the area. I was wrong. I quickly felt like I was playing in the game as all the kids around us began watching us instead of the players.

When half time came, we felt as if we were the show! The kids to the left and right slowly started to move around so they could get a better look. Within five minutes, Meredith and I were completely encircled by kids and the staring began again. No one was saying anything. The only sound was us giggling at how funny we felt. The kids continued to take a gander at us for about 10 min. Another Kenyan woman began running after them with a stick threatening to cane them if they didn't stop gawking. Soccer began again and we were back to picture taking and cheering. The greatest moment of the game came when one of our players tried to kick the ball into the goal and just missed. As he kicked the ball, his shoe flew through the air and the goalie ended up catching the shoe instead of the ball. The whole crowd began to laugh. (Hardly anyone's shoe fits, if he is wearing any at all.) It was a great moment in high school African soccer, which they do call football, but I didn't want to confuse my readers.