What activities does one enjoy in a sultry summer afternoon? Swimming or some other water activities, maybe something inside the doors. Right? Well, last week I was playing mini golf with the guys out there in the scorching heat. And guess what? It was sooooo much fun. Despite of the heat.
Now I am not a sport person. I find cricket boring, an exception considering I am an Indian. Other games I ‘tolerate’ to certain extent. I only watch sports when it is some great show. Moreover, when it comes to participating in any, I do not. Quite a contrast from when I was little. I don’t remember when I started to not enjoy sports; but I think it was a part of my childhood restlessness when I was ever interested in it. I only like swimming and recently riding bicycle for recreation. Therefore, playing mini golf out in one of the hottest afternoons is quite something for a person of my ‘background’. Yet I played. And enjoyed. Because, mini golf is great fun and recreation, and it is always great to go out with these guys.
It was not a big group when I mentioned ‘the guys’. It was only Blaž and Luka. Anyone who knows me can tell that I enjoy and prefer smaller company than a huge crowd. Therefore, it was perfect. Blaž and Luka have this tradition of playing mini golf in one of the hottest afternoons for quite a few years now. Initially they would have a few of their other high school friends to join in; but now it is more their ‘tradition’. Last year I had an awesome time joining them. Therefore, when it was hottest these past days, I reminded Blaž about the mini golf. Of course, there was no time before the World Cup fever settled; and finally last Tuesday we decided for the ‘games afternoon’.
Blaž picked me up from work and we headed towards park Tivoli. Soon we noticed Luka’s car just in front of us. Luka, however, was too busy examining his hair and face to notice us :P. Surprisingly there was no parking charge at Tivoli. Blaž’s comment: Maybe the person has already gone home because of such heat. Well. And we came here to play!! Geared with our hats and water, we headed on towards the mini golf area.
There are in total 18 courses of various difficulty levels. Blaž decided to take the first shot for the hole; and needed two strokes. Next was me. Positioning myself by the ball, I tried hard to recollect how I was supposed to take the strike. As I said before, I am no sport person. I maybe enjoy more keeping the scores than playing myself!! Anyway, it was the easiest lane and I managed it with three strokes. By the time we moved for the second course, I was already all sweaty and uncomfortable. Next followed a series of my strokes for the hole. I am sure the boys were bored so very much. The heat made me loose all concentrations sometimes. Yet I was determined; but I scored 10 in more than half of the courses. . But hey, it was better than last year! And it was so so much fun. I enjoyed specially those courses where the hole was on top of a ‘hill’ or in middle of a ‘slope’. We finished with Blaž winning, Luka scoring second, and me with the ‘highest’ score.
Returning the sticks, we decided for a horse-burger at the adjoining place. I was much interested in tasting the horse burger for the first time. It is only available in very few places and I never had the opportunity of trying. It tasted better than minced beef or pork to me, and I was so full in the end. However, I must say it was quite a peculiar feeling realizing that the meat comes from such a huge animal. Yet, it is not going to hold me from eating it again. I am complete foodie and non-vegetarian. That is it.
As we were busy munching the burger, Luka figured out that he had played a bit worse that day than previous two years. He had found and brought his previous score papers! And I am not surprise. I am sure that Blaž has them somewhere too.
As I had already foreseen, the next decision was going for a pool. But, Luka came up with the idea of going for bowling. I had never played bowling before and was always interested in trying. Therefore, I was very much in for the idea. Accordingly, we headed for BTC hoping that we would be able to find a bowling lane free.
We were lucky! There was not only a lane free, but the bowling arena was strangely empty with only two groups playing. Wow! One can really see the effect of holidays and vacation coupled with Tuesday evening!! We didn’t have socks with us. It is summer after all. And hiring a pair would cost 1€. Hey, we can very well manage without socks and only got the shoes. Luka gave me a briefing as Blaž was ordering the drinks. Beer for Luka, a tradition when he is bowling; and some non-alcoholic drink for himself. I am rather reluctant most of the time to order drinks.
I never imagined a bowling ball weighs that much!!! I chose the lightest one for myself and was still barely comfortable with it. How does one at all manage to lift heavier balls, swing it and show the tricks??!! It was difficult. And I couldn’t hit a single pin in the first try. However, with the help of the bars I slowly improved. Luka was amazed how almost every time I managed to do a ‘split’. And though doing a ‘split’ is not good, it was so much fun to me. I enjoyed every time. Specially enjoying when I managed to make a ‘split’ with 3 pins standing in a very symmetric fashion. It was fun. The full automation was impressive. Moreover, fun were the cartoons playing for ‘strike’, ‘split’, ‘spare’, ‘chance missed’ etc. It was ocean themed. It was soo cute! Hm, I will always remain a baby.
Luka had to go home by 10 p.m.; he needed to walk his dog who was recovering from an operation. And there was still an hour left. As rarely a Blaž and Luka meeting ends without pool, we made our way towards the pool tables upstairs. I was tired by then and anyway don’t play pool. Thus, I decided to just accompany and enjoy without ‘playing’ with them. I always like watching them play pool. Actually I guess I am quite starting to like watching pool, snooker on TV. Hm, that is a realization! Anyway, I watched them play and chatted occasionally, sipping my coco. Luka played his game, and Blaž had a ‘bad pool day’. One hour was over before we realized and it was time to go home.
Standing in the parking lot, we talked a bit more. Planning when to meet next and so on.. And finally we headed towards the cars. It was past 22:30 as Blaž dropped me home. I was so tired. Yet so satisfied. I enjoyed playing and spending time with Blaž and Luka. “I had a great afternoon/evening”, I reflected as I said good night.
And then as I was unlocking my door, I remember all the chores that I was supposed to do before retiring to bed.. Well, that is another story...
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