LILLE LOG: Long-distance stulla

The French really do tend to show a heightened appreciation for the finer things in life. Everything for them is about luxury, nothing can be normal for these folks.

For instance, step outside to catch your taxi and what pulls up beside you? A shiny, fully-stocked Mercedes-Benz E-Class with all the perks you can imagine. Literally all the taxis are high-end Mercedes-Benz, Audis or BMWs; you would expect that in Germany, but it was a bit of a surprise for me in France.

I was expecting to see an abundance of Peugeot and Citroën cabs; considering that those are French automakers, but while there were a few, they weren't nearly as many when compared to the luxury German brands. Certainly not a bad way to get about your business in the city; if only they knew how to beat traffic and get you to where you need to go in time.

Well, it's no wonder they drive so carefully in these parts - Benz parts nuh cheap!

Invited to race

Anyway, it seems my athletic prowess has been making the rounds through the corridors of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). To my surprise, I was called by a friend and IAAF deputy director of communications, Anna Legnani, the other evening and invited to participate in a media 800m race that is being organised for next month's IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea. Shocking stuff really, a race, and not just a race, an 800m race; two times around the track? It was pretty funny at first until I realised that she was actually serious.

"800 metres? Anna, I am Jamaican, I'm not too interested in running anything over 200m."

That wasn't my real problem, I am an honest enough fellow and I know more than anyone else that I am in no shape to run a competitive 800m; unless I'll be running against old and bald ... you know what, let me leave that alone.

I was strongly warned/threatened the last time I mentioned old and bald together in a sentence.

Anyway, Anna can be quite persuasive - so CUE Mavado's Long Distance Stulla and make some room in The Gleaner's Fitness Centre. I will contest my half-mile season opener in Daegu and walk, crawl or run, there is no turning back now.

On the note of popular dancehall songs, I got a real shock in the stadium on Friday afternoon when out of nowhere, Vybz Kartel and Spice's Rampin' Shop stormed through the loudspeakers during one of the breaks. By the way, I am not talking about the radio-edited version; Rampin' Shop in all its graphic and raunchy glory. The poor French had no idea; young and old dancing away to the infectious melodies and beat while the Jamaicans, equally as shocked to hear our most 'colourful' adjectives and nouns being echoed across the venue.

Where is the Broadcasting Commission when you really need them?