| Along the sides of the narrow, cobblestone streets
of Old Calgi, there are not many visible yards and most of the housing
is apartment-style. The sounds of cheering, shouting and rubber
balls being kicked or dribbled may seem out of place to an outsider
but perfectly normal to the townspeople. These are the sounds of
street sports.
Boys of varying ages ranging from 6 to 13 play together in these
streets, expertly handling the ball and artfully avoiding hitting
any windows or girls on their way to dance or karate class. Though
it is obvious they are playing calcio, soccer, the ball is not the
traditional black and white, but red and lighter than a regulation
soccer ball making it harder to control, particularly when wind
whips through the walkways.
Slightly older boys, around 14 or 15, play basketball at courts
on the edges of town. They cheer and pat each other on the back
whenever someone makes a basket.
They shout instructions to each other, taking their games very
seriously, hardly looking up when they have an audience.
Down the street and around a corner, a group of girls play a makeshift
volleyball game with no visible net and a ball of green rubber.
The smallest girl often misses and everyone giggles, picks up the
ball and continues playing. Nobody is keeping score.
Boys and a few girls around the age of 10 set up a kickball field
in the narrow street using backpacks and sweatshirts for bases.
They all scatter every few minutes as a car drives through and immediately
run back out to resume their game. The sun begins to set, casting
shadows on their field. The boy pitching starts tossing the green
ball faster, trying to beat the time and finish the game.
When the bells above city hall signal seven o’clock, the
streets are abandoned by the children, who wander home to supper.
|
