(Cross-posted on the Oulu CHAFF Blog.)
Sunday was no exception.
I was already out of the house early to see my car mechanic, Reijo, to pay him for my tyres.
(Hot news:
For Sale:
Opel Kadett - 1987 Euro 700, MOT'd till August;
Volkswagen Passat - 2002 Euro 22,000 (about 120000 km on the clock;
Wanted: A good diesel 5 seater car in the price range of Euro 1000 - 1500.
Contact me for details.)
I went to see the master Pizza "Taikina" Maker, Zambian Kamutaza Tembo, demonstrate his skills.
Kamu can make 120 of these balls, from which the pizza base is rolled, in just 15 minutes!
Then I picked up some CHAFF participants. The CHAFF meeting was much larger this week than I had expected.
(It would be nice if you could call in to the Restaurant and tell them if you are coming so they can make the Thai / Chinese buffet suit your taste - especially if you are a vegetarian or have special dietary needs. The hosts know all present CHAFF participants who have taken part so far and know their tastes - spicy, mild, vegetarian, etc.!)
We had two newcomers brought by our regular Kenyan participant, David Okele. Business management students from Kenya, Cleo and Joel, are also sportsmen, one being a 5 km runner and the other a keen footballer.
Cleo and Joel with me
They showed us some superb Kenyan Bead Art in the form of bracelet.
For someone who takes almost half-an-hour to thread a needle, this was simply superb.
Ildikó (Hungary), Pailin (Thailand) and Kerstin (Germany)
I introduced (orally) some of the more athletically minded CHAFF participants, including Kerstin (Germany), to the super-action sport of Thai Sepak Takraw (Kick Volleyball), a fast paced game requiring agility. Top international football stars hone their ball contol skills using this sport.
The court and net are of the same height and dimensions as in badminton. A team (Regu) consists of 3 members. Two regus compete by spiking a ball into the opponent's court. Most of the same rules apply as for volley ball, with the following main exceptions:
- players are prohibited from using their hands & arms;
- a player can touch the ball up to 3 times consecutively;
- the players' positions on the court need not be rotated;
- net serves (falling within the boundary) are accepted.
A rattan ball is served from the corner.
The striker kicks the ball over the net. You can use any part of your body except your arms and hands. If you're not used to playing and you strike the ball with your head it will hurt! It really helps if you are flexible. The back kick is the most exciting move when the strike spikes the ball while doing a back flip!!
A match is composed of 3 sets. The first regu to score 21 points wins a set. The first regu winning two sets wins the match. In either set, if both regus are tied, 20 - 20, play continues until one regu wins by 2 points, up to a ceiling of 25 points. If each regu wins one set out of the first two, then the third set is played and is called the "Tiebreak". The Tiebreak only goes up to 15 points, but again a regu must win by 2 points, up to a ceiling of 17.
Pailin was trying to say that takraw was unladylike! This picture sequence shows a lady in the process of serving in a Ladies Takraw tournament. Women probably play the game faster and better than men!
We have some very talented young Thai Takraw players here in Oulu. The Thai Pailin Restaurant is planning to launch a Takraw Club.
If you are interested contact the restaurant will organise for training sessions if sufficient number of people are interested.
Warning - Do not try this game unless you are intending to be really PHYSICALLY FIT.
As Pentti Paakki had to rush off for a GNLD Meeting, I dropped Matti Moisa home to Haukipudas. He stopped along the way to show me the oldest pine tree in Oulu - over 300 years old!
I then went to see Soda play football. His side won 2 -0 but Soda did not see much of the ball!
I returned to the Pailin Restaurant to pick up food for Annikki and Mika. I was pleasantly surprised to see an old friend from the University, Peruvian Manuel with his elder son, Daniel, having a pizza at the restaurant.
Manuel has been in Oulu for 21 years (I have been here 22 years) and he was a student in Oulu University in the Electrical Engineering Department when I was working in the Microelectronics Laboratory. Today, Manuel works in Oulu for a large US Corporation and is married to a girl from Peru. Besides Daniel, they have another baby boy, Miguel.
As I was finally driving home after this busy day, I had a panic call from Annikki. She had not seen me all day. I reassured her that good hot and spicy Thai / Chinese food was on the way home!
All was forgiven! :-)
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