Colombia. A country where the landscape is as diverse as its people, where the music pulses through the streets, and where the food—oh, the food—nourishes the soul as much as the body. But beneath the surface of this vibrant culture lies something unexpected: a budding love for lacrosse.
I first landed in Colombia in 2012, not quite sure what to expect. I was there for lacrosse, a sport that, at the time, was as foreign to most Colombians as the idea of a mild cup of coffee. But something about this place, its people, its energy, told me it was worth a shot. And so began my journey, one that would take me from the bustling streets of Medellin to the coffee-scented hills of Pereira, and deep into the heart of a country eager to embrace something new.
The early days of lacrosse in Colombia were filled with the kind of enthusiasm you might expect from a place known for its passion. We were all just a bunch of dreamers, armed with sticks and an unrelenting desire to make this thing work. I had the privilege of participating in two World Games and two Copa America tournaments, and let me tell you, those were experiences that carved themselves into my soul. Watching the Colombian teams take the field, a mix of nervous energy and fierce determination, was like watching a plant push through the soil—fragile yet undeniably powerful.