The Kunming "Polo" Association
I grew up in Nebraska, and as a product of this great state, the entirety of my experience with horses has been in the rodeo arena. No, I never rode a bucking bronco, roped calves, or even raced through the barrels, but many of my mother's relatives (cousins) did. Therefore, I have spent a fair amount of time at rodeos enjoying their skills on a horse. My awe for those who work with horses has also extended to equestrian, especially the cross-country event. I remember watching this event during one of the past Olympics, and ever since, I have marveled at the relationship each rider must have with his or her mount. However, one horse event I have never watched nor claim to know anything about is polo. I assume it is like some sort of equine version of field hockey, but honestly, I do not know. Therefore, when I was invited to join what I have affectionately called the Kunming Polo Association on one of its weekend outings how could I say no.
However, as I soon found out, this "polo" group does not mount four-legged creatures. Rather, they sit in four-wheeled vehicles. You see, Volkswagen produces a vehicle know as the Polo, a car similar to the 70s and 80s Rabbit. It comes in both two-door and four-door versions, and even comes in more of a Subaru Outback type cross-country model. This four-cylinder, five-speed vehicle is quite popular in Kunming, and so many people own them that their owners have come together to create social groups that gather occasionally to enjoy their similar Polo-ness. Xiang Lan and Yao San, Suli's older sister and brother-in-law, own a royal blue Polo, and recently invited Suli and I to join them on one of these outings to Fu Xian Hu. The following pictures will explain.
Above is pictured Yao San's royal blue Polo. He borrowed my camera to take pictures of his vehicle, and this is just one of many he took.
This is just a portion of the herd of Polos with whom we herded ourselves south-east of Kunming to Fu Xian Hu to enjoy a Saturday of driving, food, and swimming.
Here is the Kunming Polo Association gathered around the lunch table. Not a single member knew any other. They had learned of each other through a chat website for owners of Polos. Even though no one knew the others, they did enjoy trying to figure out which person went with his or her logon personality.
Our lunch consisited of a local specialty, fish soup. I watched these two fish meet their end from the blunt side of a wood club. And while I did not particularly enjoy that sight, the soup tasted wonderful: a little spicy and a little sour.
After lunch, we crossed the road and enjoyed the lake. The weather was actually much nicer than this photo suggests. The temperature was in the mid to high 80s and the waters temperature was just cool enough to quench the warmth and humidity. Suli, Xiang Lan, Yao San, and I swam for about thirty minutes before drying off and rejoining the larger group to go to another restaurant for dinner (yes, there were only about three or four hours between lunch and dinner). The Kunming Polo Association then returned home.
I still know very little about polo, but I know a little more about one way the Chinese people socialize.
However, as I soon found out, this "polo" group does not mount four-legged creatures. Rather, they sit in four-wheeled vehicles. You see, Volkswagen produces a vehicle know as the Polo, a car similar to the 70s and 80s Rabbit. It comes in both two-door and four-door versions, and even comes in more of a Subaru Outback type cross-country model. This four-cylinder, five-speed vehicle is quite popular in Kunming, and so many people own them that their owners have come together to create social groups that gather occasionally to enjoy their similar Polo-ness. Xiang Lan and Yao San, Suli's older sister and brother-in-law, own a royal blue Polo, and recently invited Suli and I to join them on one of these outings to Fu Xian Hu. The following pictures will explain.
Above is pictured Yao San's royal blue Polo. He borrowed my camera to take pictures of his vehicle, and this is just one of many he took.
This is just a portion of the herd of Polos with whom we herded ourselves south-east of Kunming to Fu Xian Hu to enjoy a Saturday of driving, food, and swimming.
Here is the Kunming Polo Association gathered around the lunch table. Not a single member knew any other. They had learned of each other through a chat website for owners of Polos. Even though no one knew the others, they did enjoy trying to figure out which person went with his or her logon personality.
Our lunch consisited of a local specialty, fish soup. I watched these two fish meet their end from the blunt side of a wood club. And while I did not particularly enjoy that sight, the soup tasted wonderful: a little spicy and a little sour.
After lunch, we crossed the road and enjoyed the lake. The weather was actually much nicer than this photo suggests. The temperature was in the mid to high 80s and the waters temperature was just cool enough to quench the warmth and humidity. Suli, Xiang Lan, Yao San, and I swam for about thirty minutes before drying off and rejoining the larger group to go to another restaurant for dinner (yes, there were only about three or four hours between lunch and dinner). The Kunming Polo Association then returned home.I still know very little about polo, but I know a little more about one way the Chinese people socialize.
posted by Roland at 9:42 AM
1 Comments:
Having only returned from a Nebraska Family Reunion on Roland's Grandpa Lapp side, be assured horses and cattle are an important way of life in the West. Heath, the son of my first cousin, Keith Lapp, came to the reunion wearing a large gold and silver belt buckle signifying his first place winning as a team steer roper. His father, Keith, raises long-horn steers used around the world in roping and steer wrestling events. If you see a Lapp steer, it is connected to Roland's Nebraska family.
Mom
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