And, One of the most interesting things about the national football team's journey to the Gold Cup is the joy and devotion it has inspired in Belize's living abroad. Their numbers are few, but of all the nations in the world cup, they are always the most colorful and wildly costumed with heir Belizean flags. We've been particularly impressed by Belizeans living in Portland and Salt Lake City Utah. Those are far removed form the popular migration centers of Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, but there are Belizeans there. One man we spoke to after Tuesday night's defeat in Portland says he longs to be home.
Rigo Gonzalez - Portland resident (16 years) from Yo Creek
"I don't consider it a loss, I met all my fellow Belizeans. I met some friends that I haven't seen from 20 years so the loss wasn't a loss - we have heart. Belizeans have heart, we had a sign there - 'win or loose we still love Belize'. I don't think any Belizean calls this a loss."
Jules Vasquez
"Why do you like it here?"
Rigo Gonzalez
"Well I came here for 6 months on a Visa and somehow I got a very good job and a good opportunity and I took advantage of it and 16 years later I'm here. I miss my country, I love it here because of the opportunities and if I had the same opportunity in my country I would be there."
Rigo Gonzalez says he recently got a shipment of home-made tamales from Yo Creek and ate it three times a day for five days. We didn't get to ask Daisy Vasquez form Maskall about what she misses - but we were surprised to see her at the practice session in salt Lake City Utah today. Here's what she told us
Daisy Vasquez - Salt Lake Resident (13 Years) form Maskall
"Right now it's my break I'm coming from work but they told me that my Belizean team is here so I came out here to give them support. And Saturday I'll be there with my other friends and I won't miss out that game so come on Belize team."
Jules Vasquez
"Are there many Belizeans in Salt Lake?"
Daisy Vasquez
"I only have like three other friends beside my sisters and my brother and that's it - I don't know anybody else so we need other people from other states to come and support our team. Come on guys we can do it! I'm really proud of my Belizean team - everywhere I go, the first thing I say is that 'I am a Belizean' even if I'm at the end of the world I won't forget my Belize so I'm proud of my team right now and especially that I'm here and I can see how things are happening. Way to go Belizean fellows!"
We have a few more of those saved up and we'll share them with you over days to come.
Email
Print