Run No. 190 - 7th October 2006
Do you realise that Mombasa and New York are very similar to each other? “No way!” I hear you say. Well take New York’s Central Park a green oasis in the middle of all that consumerism and compare it to our very own Bamburi Forest Trails, a peaceful oasis in the middle of all our siasa and politicking and you start to see the similarities. As trail-setting Hares are becoming an endangered species, the Bamburi Forest Trails were the venue again for Bash No. 190. Quite a good pack this time with a total of 10 Hashers boosted in numbers by three foreign guests. Karibu to Beach Bum and Lilly Von Stupp from Hamburg, Germany and Jenny from gay Paris.
So an International pack gathered, late as usual, at the Forest Trails and was greeted by a happy couple exchanging wedding vows and their finely dressed guests enjoying the wedding biryani. Loong Hot One not to be outdone showed off her snowy legs in the excuse of limbering up. After the normal argument on which trail to take, the FRBs took on the 10 KM cycling trail while the more rational ones went off on the shorter walking trail.
Mzee Mouth conducts a running tour for the benefit of the wageni, pointing out the rehabilitated quarries while yours truly gasps for air just trying to keep up. The overhanging trees make it cool and the One KM mark goes by. A ‘gentle hill’ and gay Jenny starts to have to second thoughts about following Mzee Mouth. Very good is Mzee Mouth when it comes to leading the females up the forest trail. On On goes the trail, turning left trees on both sides, and the ground covered in casuarinas leaves. Phutt, Phutt, the sound of a rifle firing can be heard, must be a firing range close by. Three KMs up another hill and the pack is divided as crafty Sixty Nine lingers behind to rescue the flagging females.
Swish, Swish, is that a bee, is that a bird, or is that a plane? No, those are bloody live rounds going through the treetops above us. Lilly von Stupp obliviously knows his job as he ducks for cover while the rest of the pack keeps running Ah well these mzungus are certainly not going to forget their Mombasa Hash. Wonderland Alice running silent as a forest elf acts as the rear guard. First stop and the rest of the pack is nowhere in sight, no choice but to go on. Wonderland Alice starts to go wobbly at the knees and your truly the grunting orc has to walk with her. Five KM mark and the airstrip is ahead with three aeroplanes in. The shortcut detour comes up and the elf goes off feeling better. The long way for us orcs, but sighting a shy herd of long horned Onyx in the tall grass makes up for that. 3 KMs to go and everything boils down to the basics, put one leg infront of the other and breath. Don’t even think of the pain or stopping, one step and breath. 9 KM mark passed, signs for reception ahead. The wedding guests certainly looked shell shocked when sweaty guys in shorts and T-Shirt gate-crashed their party. No chance of a kiss from the lovely bride then? Downs downs at the pavilion helped to soothe away the pain.