Copyright ©: 2000 NFKA

Bruce Jarvie on White Sand Beach Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 18:23:45 -0700
   So much went on in Taipei that I am only able to write little snippets at a time.   The weather was HOT but the people and especially the host were incrediblly warm and freindly.   Each team was provided with a translator/shepherd who helped make sure we were where we needed to be for various events.   The NFKA team had Joyce.   She had an identical twin sister, Claire, that caused a little confusion at first.   The event was, of course, so international.   I have virtually no previous experience with this to this extent.   An example:   I wanted to buy some manja from the Indonesian team.   I spoke in English to a Taiwaneese man, who spoke in Chinese to a man from Hong Kong, who spoke in Idonesian to the man I was dealing with, while a big ozzie ( P-air ) watched to make sure I didn't get ripped.   Speaking of ozzies, I feel I have made some wonderful new friends.   Peter, Rodger and especially John.   You guys are just great.   I will always have a new feeling ( good ) whenever I hear the name Australia.    I really enjoyed watching your final show as you got on the bus to Taipei to make you fianl good-bys to everyone and then had to frantically make the driver ( who didn't do English ) stop the bus ( twice ) and attempt to get off because you weren't scheduled for this trip.
More later
Bruce J

Angela Wu and a bit of Bruce Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 10:25:56 -0700
   Travelling from Detroit, I probably had the physically longest trip of all the participants.   12 time zones.   Noon was midnight, midnight was noon.   The world was upside down, but I didn't need to reset my watch!   I left Detroit at sunset.    21 hours later I saw the sun rise near Taiwan.   A 21 hour night!   It felt like the twilight zone.   On the day we came back I awoke around sunrise ( Cutter snores! ) on Tuesday morning.   We went to the airport and left the country.    Over the pacific at 35000 feet I saw a beautiful sunset behind the plane.   Later I saw a wonderful sunrise in front of the plane.   Later yet, over Minnesota I saw another wonderful sunset.   Two sunrises, two sunsets.   IT WAS STILL TUESDAY!!!!!   Help me Aunty Em.   I was pretty much useless at work yesterday.   Took today off to sleep and pack for AKA Treasure Island.
More Later
Bruce J

Babu Kahn and Basir Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 10:53:16 -0700
   This time about kites and kiters.   Not just the Taiwanese were friendly.   I already mentioned the Aussies.    The team from India was also exceptional.   They fly as a TEAM.   By this I mean they actually work TOGETHER.    One person handles the line reel, another launches and flys the kite in preparation for the fight, and the actual competitor prepares his mind then comes over and takes control of the kite while still using the services of the reel handler.   Hermant of India gave me much good advice.   His father handled my reel for me during my fights.   At least right up until I went head to head with Hemant.   I beat him.   What a feeling to feel the line bounce, then go loose, and then realize that I was still flying!    Yeowww!   Talk about a lucky shot.   He advanced to the second round with a score of 5-1, but that 1 was me.    I didn't get much help from them after that.   It didn't really matter in that I didn't last much longer in the eliminations anyhow.   I also cut a guy named Alan from Singapore.   Hooheeeee!   You guys using Indian type spools.   Keep your line neat.   Don't let the line tangle itself in the spool.   The winds in Taiwan were blasting.   Letting the line out was extremly fast.   By all rights I should have gotten roe burn from my bare cotton.   Still don't understand how I avoided blood with my manja.   Even fools get lucky.   Speaking of Indian spools, I only saw those in the hands of the Indian team and myself.   Most everyone else was using halos and other variations on that theme.
More later
Bruce J

Grrlz With Rifles ! ! ! ! !