Bowling in Bangladesh

I went bowling over the weekend with Jimmy and a teacher who is new this year, Jason, as a place called Sports Zone. The three story business begins on the 8th floor with pools and weight training facilities; the floor above houses the bowling alley. At first Jason complained that the bowling alley was "not more Bangladeshi." Luckily, his fears were soon allayed by about the third frame. Instead of the usual 10 pins, only 7 descended from the mysterious space at the end of the lane.

This became a pattern, as sometimes 6, sometimes 8, sometimes 4 pins standing with 5 others already laying down, and sometimes the full complement were presented throughout the evening.

The lane itself was not particularly bad, although it felt a little narrow. That may have been due to the location, which provided excellent viewing opportunities for Sports Zone's other patrons. We bowled in the lane nearest to the video game area, and often bowled with Bangladeshis peering over the Plexiglas that rose about 6 inches from the gutter. This was a bit distracting, but also hilarious, as they popped their heads over like meer cats when we approached to bowl. What was really strange was that the management requested that we bowl there when we arrived and attempted to secure a more central lane. Either they didn't want us to bowl in a good lane, didn't know that lane 6 was bogus, or wanted us to be "on display" and closest to the non-bowling patrons, something that happens a decent amount here

Soon noticed that our hands were becoming covered in a black, greasy dirtiness from the disgusting balls. I looked down and realized I probably shouldn't have been holding the ball against my shirt. Yes, we wore Sports Zone's bowling shoes (which were actually more comfortable than what I've had in the past)... well Jimmy and I did, Jason brought his own pair.

We bowled a few games next to a guy smoking a 5 inch cigarette out of a 4 inch holder and there were some families bowling on the other side of him. When the families were done, they would walk down to play video games. This is a hobby that is apparently a grownups only affair at sports zone. Father and Mother would be rescuing New York from rocket-launcher wielding terrorists in Gun Blade while the kids watched... though the kids were given tokens for the lamest vibrating horse ride ever.

All in all it was a fun night, and for 100 tk a game (about $1.45 US) the price was right... I'll just stay out of lane 6 next time.