Nairobi Hash House Harriers
P. O. Box 62587, NAIROBI
Website: http://www.nhhh.co.ke E-mail nhhhscribe@iconnect.co.ke
| SWANK 100 th October 9-11 2004 : Critic : Super Mambo |
| It has been said before that if you were not there you do not need to know. But I was convinced that they do, so here goes. We left on Friday night (some of us) on Coast Bus. Why are their pick up points in such places or are we just snobs? Others traveled that morning, while still others drove down. Since I was on the bus, that’s the version I will give. We get to Mombasa at about 6.45 am, with the bus driver not too happy about the numerous pee stops on the way down. We had paid an extra ksh 100 so that we have an air conditioned trip!! Of course this was a con, cos it wasn’t working. We decide to have breakfast at the Blue Room, which wasn’t open as was the same with various other joints we checked out. Finally the LGM Joe Big remembered some place. They were washing but let us in. We had breakfast, not much to sing about, then, the LGM led us to Casurina (I think that’s what it was called), where he proceeded to buy alcohol. Remember it is now about 8
am. After a few, our host (whom Dik Tiza has been in contact with thru out) and our transport arrives. Off to our first stop – Blue Room to pick up the Hen’s who had arrived the previous evening. Then to Shelly Beach Hotel, which we learn has been closed for the last year or so. No hassle. Hashers are ever resourceful. On to the next one –Kwetu which is open. After a shower, it’s off to the beach. (Did we have to shower first?) Any way Muthoni claimed it was therapeutic. Long Shot and his project decided not to join us in the water, but to take a long walk instead. He was to take many of these thru out the weekend. Wonders never cease, the LGM got into the water and even agreed to have a few swimming lessons, as did Sura Mbaya. Time for down downs, which were conducted by the acting RA Father Hen who made sure everyone got a round, including Mother Hen. Then lunch and finally the rest arrive, and off to Kimerimeta, just in time to change and the run starts. What a run this was, (I hear), with a killer hill that almost killed Sura Mbaya’s toe, without him realizing that it was gout. He should take a leaf out of Kichwa’s book and eat only boiled meat with no salt. Ammonia was also in trouble as he was almost overtaken by a lady and as this was not tolerable, he sprinted up the hill and almost collapsed. Down downs again. I imagine if it had been light, the beautiful view we’d have had from where we were. Again Father Hen conducts them. Martin is finally Hashinized to Anglican Bishop, much to Muthoni’s disgust as she knows he’s not one! Imagine in the Swank the recorder who has 26 runs does not have a hash name! What a challenge for Father Hen, who immediately sets about to rectify this. Cos of what she has shown Ammonia, she is called Coconut Butt, CB for short. Another has his name changed from Con Man to Pattni (what’s the difference?), cos of talking when the RA is on the floor. I’m telling you Father Hen was in rare form, handing out those drinks to one and all. Back to base for dinner and dancing and socializing. This writer was out like a light by 10 pm, so no more of that. Next morning – We woke to find tea on the table and you order the rest. This was a really nice meal. Once over, it was time to open the bar. Lucky for us the bar man was the Swank RA, so we could order and help ourselves as he went about his business. More down downs, courtesy of the LGM who appeared with the rum and Bacardi remaining from the night before. Again no one was spared, even Wet Hold who “took it like a man”. Departure time and Sura Mbaya still hasn’t shown his face. Apparently he was being medicated by a project who had appeared sometime in the night. Wonders never cease, his toe is cured. A break thru in a cure for gout? We get to Tiwi Beach, which is a sight to behold and every one gets into the water except Titi Left, Bang Bang, Slow Comer and Item. Those who drove down. Did they know something we didn’t? Time to eat, relax some more, and the run starts. Gather round called by the GM Mouth. Long Shot given down down for being covered in sand from head to toe, and the project nowhere in sight. Again what will be written here is hearsay. I know you can guess why. The run went out the “gate” turned left, or is it right Maria? There was a dry hold and then a wet one. It was wet by Mnazi –, that famous drink that you need to acquire a nose for. Down downs again. With a beer drinking competition, in which Dik Tiza did us proud. Supper, more games and then we piled into this vehicle that had no windows, canvas top and doors that couldn’t be locked. You would have to see it to believe. Bar hopping. At one bar Ammonia and Maria were in their element after convincing the whole bar that music from the slopes of Mt Kenya would be the best. Once that guy got started, he just wouldn’t stop! Home and more drinking as the bar man is our very own. Monday morning. No one is talking much. Is it cos its back to reality or hangovers? Can bet it’s the former. Breakfast again which was yummy, and was served in a unique way, on the back of a pick up, (Hashers will soon invent something that will put them on the map for ever), especially the mmbazi, which most looked on with suspicion till they tried it. We were dropped at the bus by Black Dick, who was the owner of the seeing is believing car, with just enough time to eat lunch. One was heard asking why the Swank had so many named after dick’s yet not a single person with a pussy name. Swank you are poa. Us from up had a ball. Your hospitality was superb, with us always being first. We promise to revenge when you guys come up. ON ON Supa Mambo. |
| SWANK 100 th October 9-11 2004 : Critic : Log-on (SWANK) |
| A composite crowd of Nairobian and Mombasa Hashers ran the 99th run on the tricky and trecherous hills at Kimerimeta in Kwale during the Moi day
weekend. The Hares Eric 'mouth' and Maria 'log-on' discovered the most inaccessible trails on the eastern slopes of the hills and set out to lay a trail, which at times was anything but. The pack ran, slid and even fell down the rocky outcrops between crevices which were slippery due to dry weather and even drier soil. Going was downhill for about 2.5 km and then winding down the murram road that led to nowhere-- -almost. A panting pack gratefully converged on to a Coconut banda and had their fill of the milk, with the Nairobi Religious Advisor 'Father Hen' in a mood for early down-downs promptly dispensed with coconut milk. The trail led on a flat terrain for another couple of Kms. And as LOG-ON so aptly put it: WHAT COMES DOWN... ?? . So , everyone was led through the western slopes up the hillside again , this time UP a goat trail. The sun was already down and the going was tough even for the more seasoned front runners. The trail at times clung precariously to the hillside and at other times was just an imagined hand or foothold!!!!! (Poor nairobians thought they'd come to experience a scenic by-the-beach run???) But the brave Hashers managed and reached the home-hold at Kimerimeta Lodge in utter darkness thankful to the cold winds and starlit night - in various stages of disrepair - limping, complaining, generally exhausted but happy to have made it! The Lodge, specialy opened for the event, was lit by generators and the trail back to the quarters a kilometer away was under starlight after the down-downs and the initiations of the virgin Hashers , and very effeciently carried out Baptisms for the then nameless swankers!! Next morning after an early turn-in nite (wonder why?), the now recovered PACK descended to the Twiga Lodge camping site and after a sumptuous meal, ran the 100 th run on more level, flat and sandy terrain. A total contrast to the previous evening's bone-basher. To crown it all, those still with energy brought to life the few dying out pubs left open, in the customary pub crawl of any auspicious (or not) hash night out! When all was said and done, twas a great celebration with the nairobians and swankers alike, runk and fed-up! ON-ON! |