A Latin Party For a Gringo Who Never Knew What Happened

It was his third visit to Colombia. But he will never forget this one: it was his best and wildest birthday. Mateo turned 33. He’s from the U.S. and, fortunate enough, married to a Latina. At the party, he was the only one wearing the yellow jersey of the national soccer team. Everybody else wore white sports clothes. As family members and friends arrived, they all greeted and congratulated Mateo. He doesn’t speak Spanish, except for a few words: “Hola,” “gracias,” and a few dish names. That’s enough to avoid starving while abroad. Without saying a word but with a big smile, Mateo was the one serving snacks. He carried a tray of chips, cheese slices, and guava pastries. A smile, handshake, and hug work in any language and in almost any culture. Lesson: What connects us is greater than what divides us. We’re all humans after all. Lesson: Learn greetings and dish names first. The soccer game… “All men line up,” a girl dressed as a referee shouted. It was time for the first party game.…