by Nola Solomon
-USA-

The United States had tough competition in Wednesday’s 2011 Women’s World Cup semi-final game against France. Though team USA will move on to the finals against Japan this Sunday, the French team gave them a real run for their money. Nola Solomon's story reflects her experiences playing with the Paris University Club (PUC) women’s semi-pro team in 2010.

The young woman’s nails clawed into my back.

“Pardon!” she exclaimed.

After having pulled me off the soccer ball by my skin, her contrition sounded bizarre. My American college coach had taught me “never say sorry for banging into someone.” But here in France, as traditional etiquette dictated, an apology followed every foul.

by Nola Solomon
-USA-

“Jambo! Karibu! Karibu!*” shout the villagers of Chyulu Hills as they shake our hands each day. Their enthusiasm is infectious, like the diseases that ravage them. Women wrapped in traditional sarong dresses cook the meal we will all share at the end of the day - sweet potatoes, spit-roasted antelope, corn, and papaya. They chatter animatedly as they shear the corn and set the spit, alternating between their tribal dialect and Swahili.