(Ex-) Patriate Games: The African Olympics

After spending a morning walking around Chimoio city looking for action (well, kind of), my mate Rui and I went up to one of his friend’s places, about halfway between here and Zimbabwe. Again, these were some expatriates – not ones working for NGOs – but people from Zimbabwe and South Africa who were now doing business here. They had set up four houses next to the lake/dam and had wired it with water, electricity, and, of course, cable TV.

We had a great time eating food (as always) along with watching the rugby (go the Waratahs and Brumbies … yes, we get Super 12 action here!).

But, as afternoon moved into evening, and inspired by the rugby coverage, the group of men (about 8 of us) decided we would “test our manhood” by creating a rather random series of tribal games made possible by the somewhat unlikely availability of a javelin.

My favourite one involved throwing a javelin …



… To hit a garbage bag placed 10 metres away that was full of, well, something:



We would do this in pairs competing against other pairs (a bit like a 2-on-2 pool game at the pub). The unfortunate losers, regardless of size, would then have to carry the winners on their backs to the palm trees and back (about 30 metres).



… All I can say is, ouch! And, for that particular person, welcome to the wonderful world of backpain! Though, for us spectators – when a smaller team lost to a much bigger team – it sure was a great laugh …

God bless
john