Mayan Ball Game

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Wed 21 Nov 2012 23:57
Mayan Ball Game
 
 
 
 
 
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The highlight of our day at Quirigua was a reenactment of a Mayan ball game. So we didn’t expect men to run on, shake hands, listen to the National Anthem and see a kick off, neither did we expect such a long blessing. Ten minutes and we still hadn’t seen any action.
 
 
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Another ten minutes, the crowd began to wonder “are we there yet”. 
 
 
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Stretching ??? oh no more praying. I’m now losing the will.
 
 
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Asking for strength.
 
 
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Focus the mind and muscles.
 
 
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Intercostals – not bad.
 
 
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Consider the task.
 
 
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Clear the mind.
 
 
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Enough of this let’s play – Thank the Lord.
 
 
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OK, so the object of the game is to use head, feet, cuffs (no hands), remember the ball weighs eight pounds as you try to get it through the hoop. Back in the day the victor would go to glory at a sacrifice later that afternoon, OH, hang on, depends which souvenir shop you visit. We’ve see tee shirts saying “you lose you die” AND “you win you fry”. Mmmm. Normally this troop would perform with full tradition - the ball would be literally aflame, but the council here didn’t want their perfect lawn singed. Shame, that would have been exciting – sadly this event was like waiting for Aldershot to score.
 
 
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Enough action for the crowd to Oooooooooooo.
 
 
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After half an hour of pontificating and ten minutes of play..................
 
 
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............. we saw a goal.
 
 
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Then it was all over, not a bead of sweat seen, make up and hair in place. 
 
 
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Time to pose with ( a or the ) fan ???.........
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL MUCH CEREMONY
                     WOULD HAVE LIKE THE BALL AFLAME
                     BY NOW I WAS READY TO LIGHT THE PYRE