Snooker
One of the favorite local pastimes in this part of Europe is playing billiards, or what they call 'snooker' (Americans sometimes call it 'pool'). I started playing snooker quite by chance. Last fall, I wanted to improve my language skills, so I asked a friend if she knew anyone who would be willing to practice the language with me in exchange for learning some English. My friend's roommate had a friend from her hometown who was willing to meet with me. For about two months, we met once a week to practice both our languages (though we spoke more English, unfortunately!). Then in January, my language friend asked if I would like to play snooker with some of her university friends. I had played some as a child and usually enjoyed it, so I said yes. Since then, I have played snooker with them about twice a month at a pub on the other side of the city. They have some different rules than we do in the U.S., so I had to get used to that at first. We usually play in pairs, since the pub only has three snooker tables. During the school year, the pub is often packed with university students, and we have a hard time getting a table. So, we sit and talk instead either in my language or theirs and enjoy our drinks.