Dartoid

June 1, 1997
Column 37
Johannesburg, South Africa

I’ve thrown darts in some strange places. Some really strange places. The rainforests of Congo. The back allys of Bombay. But no venue — not anywhere in the world — rates as more bizarre than where I have just finished playing. Tonight I stood at the line …

June 1, 1997
Column 36
Harare, Zimbabwe

Wedged firmly between the meandering, lazy Limpopo River and the turbulent, often frightening, Zambezi River — amidst massive granite outcrops, giant baobab trees and some of the most spectacular game-rich wilderness on the planet — lies the southern central African nation of Zimbabwe. Based from the capital city …

June 1, 1997
Column 35
Brussels, Belgium

If it’s the world’s most tasty waffles you’re looking for then I highly recommend a stop in Belgium’s capitol city. But if it’s competition at the oche you’re after my advice is to cross this stop off your list. My hours of wandering in the wind and the …

January 5, 1997
Column 34
Paris, France

If you’re at all like me the reason you took French in high school was because the teacher was a hot little number with a sexy voice named Miss Powell. Watching Miss Powell scribble cute little verbs on the black board was pretty special to me and my …

January 5, 1997
Column 33
Amarillo, Texas

Down here in the “Real Texas”, Amarillo to be precise, (where the phrase “nice bull” doesn’t generally refer to a little red circle on a dart board), darter Ray Fournier of the West Texas Darts Association (WTDA) weaved a tale last night that simply has to rate at …

Monday, January 1, 1997
Column 32
Kowloon, Hong Kong

The Hong Kong that guide books describe is a vibrant mix of East and West, old and new, where the “abacus is almost as prevalent as the pocket calculator” and “high-tech architecture soars above ancient temples.” At dawn, according to the guide books, elderly Chinese practice …

January 1, 1997
Column 31
Washington D.C.

Two things are guaranteed if you ever hail a cab in Washington, D.C. The first (as anyone who has visited this city will quickly confirm) is that your driver will be a genius.

His name will be Abdul. He will have a degree in physics from the University …

January 1, 1997
Column 30
Columbus, Ohio

A large brass plaque marks the spot where, on April 6, 1975 (or thereabouts), six guys named Albrecht, Castle, Moorehead, Pribble, Steinbec and Dupler downed a few beers and founded the Central Ohio Darters (COD).

Established in 1933, this little hole-in-the-wall of a pub is now calle Dave’s …

December 1, 1996
Column 29
Colombo, Sri Lanka

The next time you head out to find your neighborhood darts bar closed for the night, and decide you don’t want to drive across town, hear’s an idea worth considering.

Well, perhaps not…

Go to the airport and plop down about $3,500 for a round trip ticket …

December 1, 1996
Column 28
Negril, Jamaica

Last night I threw darts on a chessboard.

Amidst three-foot high knights and rooks on a checkered slab of cement I played cricket with a shapely native girl named Tanika. Behind me the sun seemed to levitate before disappearing beyond the orange Caribbean horizon. Just yards away, waves …