Week 14 at School

Correction

Last week I wrote:

Unfortunately we only saw the horns of a hippo about 2kms or more away.

Is anybody reading this?  Don't you know that hippos don't have horns.  That was supposed to be a rhinoceros.  It was so far away, who knows what it was.  The joke at the time was that it was probably a local walking through the long grass holding a picture of rhinoceros horns.

There is no further progress on basketball referee education.  I had planned to run part 2 last Sunday, but when I returned from safari I tried to make contact, but was unsuccessful.

We are back to the normal working week, although on Thursday we had another BBQ.  This time for some visitors from the US who were having an early Independence Day celebration.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

As seems to be the way with these blogs, most of the news happened yesterday....or is that just that I'm old and can't remember beyond yesterday.

Tanzania has turned into sporting heaven for me.  You wake up Saturday and Sunday morning to rugby league, then at 1pm, the big game in Oz is usually starting, and now that the tour (Tour de France) is on, no more late nights.  The downside, yes there has to be at least one, is that it is difficult to watch it all, or even some of the sport.

While typing this blog I am listening to sport on Australian radio.  Currently Knights v Titans which is a little, no very one sided.

I am yet to see a State of Origin game live here, but I will keep trying for game 3.  Yes, I do know the result of game 2.

Yes we did get the news that Krudd is back.

Denise has the use of a car for a few weeks, courtesy of a volunteer.  I won't say here on the blog what she did as you don't know who's reading, but she is up there with the locals in driving skills and obeying the road rules, well at least the road rules that would apply if we were in Australia.  I am beginning to wonder if road rules even exist here, or it's just a loose interpretation of what you can do if you feel that way inclined.

Note to everyone: on our return if Denise offers to drive you anywhere be very concerned.

Now to yesterday.

I went out to basketball which was supposed to start at 3pm, and I was assured it was 3pm my time.  The wording when questioned about the 3pm starting time stated:

The first one at exactly 1500hrs then the second one at 1620hrs.

My response:

OK, I'll be there at 1500 my time.

Response

Hahahah yes your time

As the Wallabies v Lions (Rugby Union for the uninitiated) game didn't finish until 3pm, we got to the game at 3.35pm.  What a surprise, it hadn't started.

I asked who was refereeing and to my surprise (not really), it was me.  As I had expected this I had come prepared.  The first game of 2 was eventually started about 4pm with myself and a local officiating.  Remember that the sun sets at 6.30pm and a timed game takes about 1.5 hours.

I was surprised to discover that the first game was reasonable, but at one stage I had to settle down one of the players who was big and built like the proverbial.  From the opposite side of the court I told him to settle down then proceeded to walk directly towards him holding eye contact so he knew exactly who I was talking to.  When I got to him I asked that he remain quiet for the rest of the game and then asked whether he understood.  In a meek manner he agreed and remained quiet for the rest of the game.

Game 2 started about 5.15pm, so we were always going to be pushing the limits of the Tanzanian sunlight.  I still don't think the locals realise this bit yet.  This game was a lower quality game, but included 3 technical fouls, one unsportsmanlike foul and one ejection, all within about 1 minute.  I must say that I didn't call the first technical, but I did call the rest and at no time was the game out of control.  It was just 1 player who, until this game, had been allowed to get away with whatever he wanted.  After the game it was amazing the number of people who came up wanting action against the ejected player as he had been allowed to get away with his behaviour for too long.  I assured them that he was on report, and they were all happy once more.

Now back to game 2.  At about 6.20pm, as the game score was already a 30 point split, I told the timekeeper to run the clock no matter what happened.  At about 6.45pm with 3 minutes left I was having difficulty telling the teams apart, so decided to call in the captains to see if they wanted to end the game early.  No was the answer, but then one of the coaches walked by and I asked him.  He was happy, so the game was stopped.  Now the real excitement started as everybody wanted a result including the 50-100 spectators.  I explained that the score will stand as it was already a 40 point split, 100+ to 60 something.  Once the word got round everybody was happy once more.

Now at this point you have to remember that where the basketball is played is considered to be extremely dangerous after dark, and to top that off, the basketball court was the site of a bomb attack a few weeks back during a political rally.  I hope you can now understand my desire to end the game and get out of there as quickly as possible.

For all that I received 1 bottle of water, so all you referees out there just think of how good you do have it.

The ankle is holding up well with absolutely no pain and I have been back to full training for the past month, so it looks like I can start planning my Meru & Kili climbs.

By the way, none of you offered any suggestions the other week about what to wear to the 80's party so I just work a fluoro orange shirt.  The prize remains mine.

The weather here has started to get a little cool so it is jumper time, although when I do get to walk around town it is great to shed the jumper and stride out.

Christmas / New Year

It is currently looking a little like we will spend Christmas / New Year at the school, with a few people tentatively planning to visit.  At this stage nobody is confirmed but the more the merrier.  We would love to celebrate Christmas and/or New Year with as many of you as possible.  Sorry Enis, but you are still in our travel plans at some stage.

How to carry loads of paper

Taken the other day in town.

Until next time.