INTERVIEW WITH MANUEL

You all know our Conversation assistant, Manuel who is from Houston, Texas, but maybe you want to know more about him. We have interviewed him in class and here you have some of the questions and his answers.

- What do children play in the streets (in Houston)? (Daniel Romero)
Children usually play american football in the streets.
- Do you like Pau Gasol? What do you think about him? (Carmen Morán)
Yes I like and I think he is a very good player.
- Do you like WWE? Any superstar? (Francisco Ramírez)
Yes. Hulk Hogan.
- Why is soccer not popular in USA? (Paco Morales)
Because original football is european.
- Which is the most played game in PE (in Houston)?
American football.
- What are the typical sports in Houston? (Moises Cañadas)
American football, basketball and baseball.
-What sports did you play when you were younger? (Antonio Jiménez)
I played kickball and baseball.
- What is the most interesting sport you see in spanish schools? (Sofía Ruiz)
Probably handball.
- Did you play "to tag" when you were a boy? (Rocío Montes)
Yes, I did.
- What activities do you practise in your spare time? (María Pérez)
Running
- What sport do people like in your city? (Daniel Ortiz)
They like american football.
- Have you gone to a basketball, football or rugby match? (Germán Escudero)
Yes, I have. I saw Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs

HARPASTUM OR KILLER HANDBALL

As you all know, modern handball was invented by Max Heiser in Germany but there is a set of ancient activities and sports that have inspired its appearance.

In this case, we will speak about Harpastum, which was practiced in ancient Rome as part of the legionnaires training. It consisted on taking a ball to the other side of the court and make it touch a piece of rope, nevertheless, the rules are not completely clear because they have never been recorded. What we know is one of the main rules: players were allowed to be as violent as necessary, always avoiding killing the opponents because, by the way, killing was fortunately forbidden.

So, you had better play handball rather than harpastum unless you want to visit heaven prematurely.