Diabolo
The local elementary school is a 3 minute walk from our place. It is a large school that caters for kids from year 1 to year 6 (6-12 year olds). Just twelve years ago the site was fields and fish ponds, but today it is a bustling place 16 hours a day.
The school day, depending on student’s age and the day of the week, is 7:40 am to 4:15 pm. But out of hours the school yard is used by the whole community for all sorts of activities. The open foyer area that is central to the building and the yard is particularly well used. It is public, shaded, lit at night and there is always a cool breeze which makes it a favorite gathering place for many. On Saturday mornings a Diabolo class occupies this space.
Diabolo is very popular amongst children in Taiwan. Most kids can play it to some extent and it seems that many are quite dab at throwing the spinning spool around.
The elder students and the teachers are really very talented. There seem to be no end of manoeuvres possible with this toy.
And the maestro himself, the Taiwan champion of 2000. Now he is a real pleasure to watch.
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