As always frisbee comes first. The team was good, our connection was strong and everyone seemed really happy to be a part of the unique experience. We played pretty well and won the silver medal. aussiecrocs.net is the place to get all that info.
Having the World Games in Colombia definitely added an exciting level of interaction to the event. Four years ago in Taiwan it was obvious from the decorations, facilities and city wide organisation that the games were a big deal in town.
This time in Colombia it was obvious that having the World Games in town was a significant event because of the way the local people interacted with us. The level of interest, engagement and excitement that came from the Cali locals was massive. They seemed to love having us in town and I don't think we exhausted their enthusiasm for photos, autographs and pieces of our apparel and equipment.
It was a remarkable experience of interacting with locals who craved our attention because of the Australian team shirts we were walking around in. Sharing this magnificently foreign experience with our small group of team mates was an absolute highlight. The people on this team will look at each other in years to come and laugh and shake our heads at the incredible experience of being on team Australia at the 2013 World Games.
The frisbee is over now and the fans are gone. We'll they have probably just moved on to Canoe Polo now. My post tournament experience has been excellent too. Jonno and I headed up to Bogota to spend a few days with Manuel and Lilian who lived in Brisbane for a few years and are now back at home in Colombia.
Excellent hosts and a portal into Colombian life that we were not able to access from the police escorted coach we travelled around in at the tournament. Dani from the team has been in Bogota as well and together with our local friends we have climbed Monserrate, explored the old down town area and spent an evening dancing like the Colombians do. It has been a nice come down from the semi ecstatic experience with the team in Cali and a gentle way to face the reality that the mission of our lives over the last six months is over.
Bogota has been a great pit stop and now the journey continues. I'm off to Italy tonight and no one is coming with me. I'm definitely feeling a yearning today as I detach myself from the company of my friends who have been a mighty source of strength and joy over recent weeks and months. Moving ahead now by myself for a while feels a little daunting, i'm not sure what i'll find with an uninterrupted period of my own company.
The course is set now and i'm sure the next piece of my trip will hold some expected and unexpected experiences. I'm pretty sure i'm interested.
Love to you folks out there. Thanks for your continued company on the journey.
Mike
Thanks to you Mike. As I sit in my comfy home in inner city Brisbane thinking about bathroom tiles, I am also engaged with an exciting experience of the wider world. Be brave, keep your eyes open and keep the stories coming.
ReplyDeletelove to you
mum
I echo Julie;keep your eyes open. Also have a fine time and drink lots of vino.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Maggie
Mike,
ReplyDeleteWho better to host a tour of Italy than Gaius Marius and company. You're no tourist, you just need to reacquaint yourself with contemporary Rome! Can't wait to hear of your next set of adventures.
Love,
Harry, Jennine and Edison
PS "If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled...." - Remember to dive in, head first, the water is warm.