The Tournament in Punta del Este, Uruguay
“Soy la Gitana!”
The next day we met a Peruvian Gypsy family in our building who was also going to the tournament. Isabella, who was Maureen’s age, walked up to Alex and said, “Soy la gitana!” I am a gypsy! They spoke Roma with their father. That night we had a great time. We found an empty space in the resort and staged sparring matches. Isabella and her little brother were competing. Her fourteen-year-old sister was not a competitor. So the matches were between little Yoskar, Isabella and Maureen. It was fun. They offered to drive us to the tournament the next day so we accepted.
Dog at the entrance to the tournament.
This dog is making sure she gets fed. McDonald’s is tasty.
Something Was Amiss
On the day of the tournament I knew something was amiss when I noticed the center judge gaze lovingly into Isabella’s eyes, and stroke her face and hair. What the hell?! I mean seriously, what’s going on here? Besides the fact that you may be a pedophile, you are also a judge so keep your hands off the competitors. This couldn’t end well for anybody except Isabella, and I was right. We travel 5,000 miles to compete, and the fix is already in. Isabella ended up beating Maureen. The score was 9-9, the kid kicked, hit the air, and scored 2 points: 9 – 11. No fair.
Licking our Wounds in Punta del Este
Another girl won first in form. Her mother handed us tissues twice during M’s after-battle breakdown. I saw them walking along the road on our way out. They were the only pedestrians and looked quite small and vulnerable. We took a taxi home because our gypsy friends stood us up. They drove us to the event but didn’t bother to inform us that they had no intention of bringing us back. Fine. Just let us know is all I ask. Alex told Mrs. J that he would see her at their BBQ, but I told him that there is no way I am eating their food after being dumped.
Moe got third in everything: Sparring, Combat Sparring, and Form. I had trouble sleeping that night. I was still bristling from the unfairness of the sparring match. Not that I am one of those pathetic parents who live solely and vicariously through their child. Not I. Alex put it in perspective for me. I managed to calm down and finally fell asleep.
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