VTH3 Run Reports

VTH3 #670

1/3/2015

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MAJOR SPONSOR, SAN MIGUEL!
Contact Mr Cuong for all San Miguel products in Vung Tau:
email: tadcul@yahoo.co.uk
phone, text/sms: 093 8833 183
Home, office, party etc deliveries a specialty!

01 March 2015
BIG MOUNTAIN - First post-Tet run from our new home!

Hashers all gathered at the Sao Bien 4. After the Tet Holiday, many Hashers finally back in action for this week’s trail. The sun is bright and hot, showing the middle of Spring and Summer. New and old faces wishing Happy New Year.
Rowdy Water cautions everyone that parking outside the parking area is “at your own risk”. It’s Sunday and the parking area is jam-packed, but some manage to park inside.
Injured volunteer ‘Caretaker’ GeoffK, first-timer Harry and co-Hare Rowdy Water help carry our eskies to the Down Down at 83 Tran Phu, while co-Hare Ice Water leads everyone by taxis to the start point at 750 Tran Phu.
Led by Rowdy Water, the group heads through the village until they reach the shrine in the middle of the street. We start the Chalk Talk while surprising lots of villagers. “Where did the group of foreigners come from?” they wonder.
Behind the shrine, Hashers head up the stairs. Stubble takes a photo of a villager holding his rooster with pride.
A few steps before the temple, villagers gather outside an empty field for a cock fight. Surprised by the appearance of Hashers, they quickly stop to practise their English!
We pass the temple, with guard dogs barking to scare even the kids. We head to the top of the mountain.
After following a new trail up the hill, we eventually find one of our old trails: the narrow cement pathway. Everything has changed in this dry season and the Hares have marked a shortcut to the 600 steps down to the big temple on Tran Phu.
Arriving at the temple, a family are holding a funeral procession but most Hashers pass by without realising.
Finally, out to Tran Phu street and walk up to #83, a familiar coffee shop for the Hashers.
We carried everything downstairs to the beach, but the fun was marred slightly by strong gusts of wind which carried sand to Hasher’s faces and the food.
The last Hashers arrive so a group photo is taken by Radio Wave’s camera with the assistance of a Russian customer, who Stubble asks to take a picture of the group.
Basil is nominated duty Ring Master.
A warm welcome back message from Ring Master “After the Tet”. Happy to see everyone still on board in today’s run. Hares Rowdy Water and Ice Water are ready for the trail rating by Mountain Goat: “A fitting way to end Tet”.
With translation by Radio Wave, the trail was given 8/10. Minus 2 points because the trail was a bit short, and passed the village in a large group which startled some of the villagers.
Virgins and visitors were called for introduction: Lucy, a newly-appointed teacher at Vung Tau University (a city she has never been to before) – she found her way to the Hash by contacting our website. Mr Hoang joined because of influence from Hasher Eco Slipper. A visitor from America with Hashtag “Ah S**t” joined because he heard VTH3 is a friendly, happy bunch (which is true of course!).
Returnee Nick has been away for two years because of his work; and also welcome back to UXO, who has been away working. Now they’re both back to Vung Tau, they expect to Hash more often.
Hard Drive and UXO charged sinners Rowdy Water and Radio Wave for sitting down during the Hash, and Ms Nhi for sleeping during the Hash! (sleeping on the Hash! – surely a world-first...)
Finally, a big thanks to Mother Teresa, Mountain Goat, Tiny Tim and Ice Water for providing and sharing their delicious snacks.
There were no volunteers at the Circle to set next Sunday’s trail, but Mother Teresa suggested that it has to be a good one to recognise International Women’s Day. We’ll have a “Crown” for the best woman!
STOP PRESS (Saturday): Rowdy Water, The Gardener, Miss Banana and our first (ever?) French Hare "Monsieur 'Arry" have confirmed they set a new trail today on Long Son Island for International Women's Day, Sunday 8 March. Meet as usual, Sao Bien 4 Restaurant (see diagram on home page), 2 pm for 2.30 pm start.
On On!