I figure i'll just keep adding to this when i have another hooping success story.


I just got back from oaxaca mexico. For some reason before i left i had this idea to bring a hoop with me. I dismissed the idea because this was a service learning trip. I'd be doing community service, no time for hooping.
But when i was there, i really wanted my hoop.

In oaxaca, 6 months out of 12 are drought. They all have sisterns that store rain water and the water the town supplies them. (the town will run the water for 2 hours once a week, you store up as much water as possible becasue you won't get more until next week) So needless to say, tubing and pimpes are in good supply there. I was actually capable of walking down the street less than 1.4th a mile and get tubing, a connector, and a pepsi for 16 pesos. That's about 1.60 american dollars. Then when i was int he city i passed by a real hardware store and i found electrical tape. I bought some and i covered the hoop in a bunch of bright colors.

I managed to get many adults and other volunteers to try out the hoop, but it was the children i loved watching most. A flock (and by flock i mean 30) children came to the center where i was staying. We spent quality time with them. We picked up trash and recycling, then colord and other stuff. At one point i pulled out my poi and i played with that infront of the kids., they were mezmorized and quick enough they were all trying it. Then i started hooping and they all got super happy. Even though there was a language barrier i was still able to show them how. Kids who may not be able to keep the tiny hoops up were now hooping solid. They loved it.

This one girl Maria de Guadalupe was a rather plush kid, and iknow her pain being rounder then everyone else. I bet she was not able to use the little hoops they had at the local store... She picked up my hoop and tried, and she was eaisally hooping for a solid 15 minuts. She loved it.

I left the hoop at the center. Even when i wasne't there (out helping at a mountain pueblo) i was told that the kids who were visiting other groups were having a grand time with the hoop. I won't be suprized if in another 5 to 10 years there's a good hooping scene in the poor regions of oaxaca. (or so i hope)

Just a clarification question: Was your hoop full-sized, put together when you checked it? Or did you keep it in pieces and join it when you settled? I'm heading to Costa Rica and would like to bring one - thanks for sharing your experience! -Terra