I say finally, because the first time we tried, despite having talked to someone at the Polo office and gotten a time for the match, and driving all the way to Delhi, there was no actual polo that day. (typical) The guy at the (padlocked) gate told us to come back another day for the semi-finals. So we did. We were early. So early that the chairs weren't set up yet. Not a big deal, no people came to sit in them anyway!! 
This was a Saturday, and apparently all the famous, rich and glittery people came on Sunday for the Finals. I 
did see an article in the paper about it, and the stands were ALOT fuller that day!The field is HUGE. 
When we arrived, there were a whole bunch of people out putting divets back in (we think). Then this group of golfers had to play through. Yes, the polo grounds seem to be part of the golf course. They played right thru the middle of the field! With horses warming up and galloping around them.
This is a ref.
This is the scoreboard. The team scores are marked with those blocks of colour-in this case black and white. It is the second "chukkar". The score is 1/2 to 3. We don't know why the half score. We even googled on the Blackberry but still could not find out. There is a guy that hangs the score signs, and they are HUGE.
In the last 2 minutes of the last match, a player got hurt. So everybody and their brother went out onto the field. Not a medical professional? no problem. Not related to the injured player? so what. Have absolutely no reason to join the mob on the field, blocking the medi-van and impeding the work of the paramedics? don't let that stop you! even this gang of KIDS felt the need to join the throng. It's a bizarre culture thing - way common.
When we arrived, there were a whole bunch of people out putting divets back in (we think). Then this group of golfers had to play through. Yes, the polo grounds seem to be part of the golf course. They played right thru the middle of the field! With horses warming up and galloping around them.
This is a ref.
This is the scoreboard. The team scores are marked with those blocks of colour-in this case black and white. It is the second "chukkar". The score is 1/2 to 3. We don't know why the half score. We even googled on the Blackberry but still could not find out. There is a guy that hangs the score signs, and they are HUGE.
In the last 2 minutes of the last match, a player got hurt. So everybody and their brother went out onto the field. Not a medical professional? no problem. Not related to the injured player? so what. Have absolutely no reason to join the mob on the field, blocking the medi-van and impeding the work of the paramedics? don't let that stop you! even this gang of KIDS felt the need to join the throng. It's a bizarre culture thing - way common.Miranda lost interest and went to sleep.
Like the really private urinals?
This is near the end. See how many people came??!!
Like the really private urinals? 
This is near the end. See how many people came??!!
I really enjoyed myself. To see live polo is frankly something I never imagined I would be able to do. It was very exciting when they thundered by near the short rail in front of us, or even better, when they were all fighting for the ball right near us. Unfortunately, the field is large (maybe I mentioned it) and it seemed like they spent alot more time on the far side. Also, we really didn't understand the finer points of it all ( aside from the obvious hit-it-between-the-posts) so that was too bad. But, it was very impressive to see these guys going full-tilt, leaning way out and swinging that long thing to connect with that tiny ball. I couldn't get over how complicated it looked. I would have had to spend all MY time focussed on not falling off, so I was impressed! Too bad it was the end of the season - I could have gone again. Oh yeah, and did I mention it was free? so Randy liked it too!
Here are a few videos for your viewing pleasure. The announcer didn't start until the second match - we couldn't decide if he was helping or not!
No comments:
Post a Comment