Mexico: Lucha Libre
The Lucha Libre: Mexican for a mix between Brazilian capoiera and "professional" wrestling (WWE style) in the United States. For two years I've held a bitter grudge against the Lucha Libre...but good news! I believe we've reconciled.
Two summers ago while working as a Spanish camp counselor, a cultural reenactment of the Lucha Libre landed me with a broken foot, six hot summer weeks in a cast, and those dreaded crutches that I had stored away in my closet after a foot surgery a few years prior and hoped never to see again. It was a staged "fight" and I was going to end up losing anyway. I didn't expect to literally lose in the sense of a broken foot, but well, that's what I got.
So here's how it went: There were four of us in the "ring" with our audience surrounding us on all sides. We were jumping around, throwing fake punches, doing awesome Tae Kwon Do style kicks, basically putting on a great show. Oh yeah, meanwhile wearing the traditional Lucha Libre masks. We looked good. At one point during all of this craziness I jumped, gave one of my best Jackie Chan kicks, and landed not-so-correctly. Of course I was in denial right away that anything bad had happened, kept on fighting, and later realized that my foot did not feel normal. A break in the third metatarsal and sprained ligaments was the ultimate result. The months of rehab to follow were everything but fun.
Understand my grudge against the Lucha Libre? Yep. Now I know what you're thinking...it is not healthy to hold onto such feelings of anger and bitterness. I took matters into my own hands and how did I reconcile my relationship with the Lucha Libre? I went to the real deal and established a new respect for it.
The Lucha Libre here has an incredible fan following, and they contribute their cheers, applause, and sometimes vulgar comments to the show. This creates for an exhilarating environment, and apart from the fans, the actual fighters put on a fantastic show. I can try to describe it, but I think it is something you really need to see in person to fully understand. The coordination, athletic ability, and stamina they have which makes them able to do the kicks, jumps, and flips that they do is impressive. They definitely have my respect.
Dear Lucha Libre, I think we can be friends now. But don't think that I will be wrestling around in your ring again any time soon. I'll leave that to the professionals.
Two summers ago while working as a Spanish camp counselor, a cultural reenactment of the Lucha Libre landed me with a broken foot, six hot summer weeks in a cast, and those dreaded crutches that I had stored away in my closet after a foot surgery a few years prior and hoped never to see again. It was a staged "fight" and I was going to end up losing anyway. I didn't expect to literally lose in the sense of a broken foot, but well, that's what I got.
So here's how it went: There were four of us in the "ring" with our audience surrounding us on all sides. We were jumping around, throwing fake punches, doing awesome Tae Kwon Do style kicks, basically putting on a great show. Oh yeah, meanwhile wearing the traditional Lucha Libre masks. We looked good. At one point during all of this craziness I jumped, gave one of my best Jackie Chan kicks, and landed not-so-correctly. Of course I was in denial right away that anything bad had happened, kept on fighting, and later realized that my foot did not feel normal. A break in the third metatarsal and sprained ligaments was the ultimate result. The months of rehab to follow were everything but fun.
Understand my grudge against the Lucha Libre? Yep. Now I know what you're thinking...it is not healthy to hold onto such feelings of anger and bitterness. I took matters into my own hands and how did I reconcile my relationship with the Lucha Libre? I went to the real deal and established a new respect for it.
The Lucha Libre here has an incredible fan following, and they contribute their cheers, applause, and sometimes vulgar comments to the show. This creates for an exhilarating environment, and apart from the fans, the actual fighters put on a fantastic show. I can try to describe it, but I think it is something you really need to see in person to fully understand. The coordination, athletic ability, and stamina they have which makes them able to do the kicks, jumps, and flips that they do is impressive. They definitely have my respect.
Dear Lucha Libre, I think we can be friends now. But don't think that I will be wrestling around in your ring again any time soon. I'll leave that to the professionals.
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