This day started like any other visit. Time goes by in an instant. The dynamic in Adriana Coronel Tenorio’s (AKA Adriana Howitt Coronel, Ari Coronel, Ari Coronel Tenorio, Ari Howitt, Ari Howitt Coronel) house is very interesting. Maria Guadalupe Tenorio Toledano (AKA Lupita Tenorio, Marsha Tenorio) is still upset at what happened in court just a few days prior. Adriana’s attorney, Oscar Ivan Diaz Gomez, is trying to blame us for not him not being prepared in court. Really? We are responsible for Oscar Ivan Diaz Gomez being awful at his job? Too funny. At least that is what Adriana is trying to tell us. We should not even be in court, but thanks to Adriana we continue on. And it’s only going to get worse for her. Adriana has failed to see what a toll this is taking on everyone, even her own family. Adriana wants me to help figure out why Samantha has temper tantrums. I am 99.9999% sure Adriana may want to start with her ripping Samantha out of my arms and out of my life. Just sayin’.
Onward and upward.
On this day Samantha witnessed some history and will be on American TV a month from this date. Tijuana has a professional soccer team called the Xolos. For a minor league team they are pretty good actually. Winning their championship last season. If they were to accomplish the same feat this season, the team would be promoted to the major leagues – Mexico’s Premier League. I used to tell Adriana that Tijuana could easily support a major soccer team. With 4-million people between San Diego and Tijuana and the money Caliente Casinos has behind the team, it’s a no brainer. The owner also added an incentive to the mix, win again and he would build the team a bigger stadium.
What a better way to spend a Saturday with my beautiful princess. We found tickets to the game. I hoisted Samantha on my shoulders and we had a blast. The atmosphere was amazing. It was easy to get behind the home team even though they were playing Irapuato. Samantha was singing along with the crowd, giving people around us high 5’s. And when the final whistle sounded, the Xolos were victorious 2-1. Samantha witnessed soccer history. I am so happy I got to share her first major sporting event with her.
That was not even the ½ of it. The Xolo fans created a very colorful tradition when they score a goal. After every goal, they celebrate by starting a food fight. No kidding. A food fight! 25,000 people all throwing water, soda, beer, wine and food at one another. I had never seen anything like it. We joined right in as if we were long time fans, and why not. I hope the Xolos do well, it will be an amazing for the city.
As we were leaving we walked by a film crew filming the crowd reaction. The crew was doing a documentary on the US/Mexico border called ‘Crossing South’. They were asking us about our experience and whether or not be willing to be on American television. Of course we said yes! Our experience at the game really did rival what you would see in other soccer famed countries like England, Spain, France, Germany, Brazil or even Argentina. The show aired a month later. They were nice enough to send me an advanced copy.
The soccer game footage starts at the 18:33 mark. Samantha and I show up at the 23:23 mark.
Crossing South is a travel show which explores everything we find over the border in Mexico. Bilingual travel companion and host, Jorge Meraz, takes the audience on a journey and de-mystifies things with a special focus on Northern Mexico. Get to know the people, vernacular, foods, customs and places frequented by the locals. To find these travel treasures, Jorge goes further than the tourist traps. As I was preparing for this post, I found out Crossing South is now in it’s 9th season. Congratulations! All the best and continued success.
Sam, I love you so much. I wish I could slow time down and get back the years we have lost. This memory is forever.
