An Experience

       Keep your head down and use cover !

      That line is still fresh in my mind . It was uttered with a slight distress in the voice by a friend when we were in a middle of a paintball match 2 years ago.Paintball is a recreational sporting activity that mimics combat scenario where special equipments such as markers are used . A marker is a specialized gas powered  gun that shoots paint pellets .There is also a set of rules to be followed with umpires present to make sure every player follows the rules like  no shots allowed whenever you are within 5 metres from the opponent and you must also wear protective equipments such as face mask and knee pads before you can play.


      It was just like in the movies with all the camouflaged clothing and the 'popping' sounds  of markers firing.Smokes of different colours such as green and red were added into the arena for the 'extra '  effects. Moreover, the location of the match in a reserved area near a forest really set the feel of the game.At one moment of the match, my team which initially had 7 people  had already 'lost' 3 members during an ambush . We retreated and regrouped somewhere  behind the 'hot spots' and tried to think of a way to turn the table around.However , we  didn't know the status of the opponents  and  we decided anyway to split the remaining members into 2 groups. The plan was to get these groups of two to surround the other team. Lady luck must be on our side that day because  the plan did work  as it turned out , my two other teammates were later surrounded by the still full force opposing team who thought we moved in one big team so they were just focusing on the 2 teammates, ignoring to cover their backs which proved to be a 'fatal'  mistake.We were hiding in the bushes and sneaked up to the opponents  from the rear and from my position, they were sitting ducks.Suffice it to say, we won and it was  sweeter to me as that was my first time joining a match.

      We also brought back extra 'souvenirs' from the whole ordeal.Everyone got coin-sized red spots from the impacts of the paint pellets anywhere on the parts of  body not covered by the protective clothing or safety equipments.But all in all , it was  great and awesome fun !