Exploding Fun in Colombia

Tejo is Colombia's national pastime and I was fortunate to learn and play the game during my time in Bogota. It is similar to horseshoes, bocce or American corn hole but with a bang. It is played by tossing roughly a 2kg disc, called "Tejo" across a lane, about sixty-five feet in length, onto an angled board covered completely with clay. In the center of the board is a metal circle called "bocin" and around the perimeter are four folded paper triangles filled with gunpowder, called "mechas". The object is to get the tejo inside the bocin along with hitting one, or more, of the mechas so it explodes. Yes, explodes! The more your team, usually three to four people, hits the mechas or gets close to the bocin, wins. CRAZY FUN!

I can think of a few sports in the world where drinking while playing is encouraged. I couldn't imagine playing darts, pool, corn hole or even bowling without an ice cold alcoholic beverage. So tejo with explosives and heavy weights = excessive amounts of beer drinking. And the added bonus, it is free to play as long as you order, and continue to order, lots and lots of beer. I was with seven other people so we ordered a crate of beer which was more convenient than going up to the front each time.

Lastly, after many, many cervezas you can dance with a local like I did.

So the next time you are in Bogota or anywhere in Columbia, try and play Tejo. Guaranteed to be a blast!