March 23rd, 2009 - Trash #884

HASH TRASH

For

23 March 2008

HARE: Bang Cock

Trail # 8??*

*I haven’t a clue as to the correct number of this trail BUT we must be getting close to 900 and that really “should” be an event!!!!

On this Easter Sunday the Hash weather Gods smiled upon us once more as we had an absolutely purrrrfect day! The sun was shining, the temperature balmy and there was a very good turn out.

Showing up besides myself were Sex Tax and Pussy Willow,

St. Anus, Baldric, Mamma San, Cheesy Balls, Darina (who really should have a Hash name as she is one of our regulars), Ginger Puss and her progeny Ewan, Soft Pawn, French Frog Legs, Run by Batteries and Martin (to whom I apologize for not knowing his Hash name. We had a visiting Hasher who joined us while here with a tour group. He is Red Headed Wood Pecker from Tucson, Arizona. We also had two Budapest Hash Virgins, Sarah from Australia via Tanzania and David from Seattle, Washington also via Tanzania AND we had a bonifide Hash Virgin, Petra from “near” Hamburg. I think that makes 18 total but I couldn’t get my shoes off to check the count and truly don’t have that many fingers despite having worked last at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. Giving Head did call in to say she couldn’t make it as she had injured her ankle. However, she did invite everyone to a tea at her home later in the day. (Her carrot cake was delicious!)

We assembled as usual at Battyhany ter and milled about while welcoming the “Virgins” and Visitor. I attempted to get a passerby to take our “Group Grope” photo but the battery on my camera had gone Kaput. Must have been the result of having taken too many pictures the day before at the Vorosmarty ter Easter Mart and at the Deak Ferenc ter Wine Tasting (plus not having charged it for quite a while). Fortunately Red Headed Wood pecker had his camera and we did get a picture taken.

Baldric and Cheesy Balls left us, sprinting off to cross over Margarit Hid to run to the trail start at Kossuth Lajos ter while the rest of us went down and took the Metro under the Duna. Arriving at KL ter we only had a few minutes to wait before Baldric and Cheesy Balls arrived. From this point Ginger Puss, Ewan and Red Headed Wood Pecker joined the runners and they took off together followed by the rest of the pack.

I had done the trail backwards that morning to make certain that the marks were good but didn’t look at those beyond the start north of KL ter soooooo…. The Hash proceeded across the front (or is it the rear) of Parliament to the first check at the NE corner of the ter. near the Kossuth monument. This check I had laid on the ground just inside the low fence to keep it from being destroyed by pedestrians and tourists. Unfortunately the ground had soaked up some of the flour and the pigeons had gotten at the rest so, even though I had placed a trail “blob” on the low wall just outside the fence, the runners had blown right past it and were bewildered until the pack arrived and I showed it to them. After that the marks were good.

The runners then took off exploring the false trails while I led the walkers directly to the embankment passing by the statue of Karoly Mihaly. Crossing the embankment road, Pesti also rkp., was an experience. Since it was Easter Sunday I had not thought there would be much traffic but it seemed that the Grand Prix de Budapest was being run there. Despite the number of speeding vehicles, all managed to get across without incident and we were joined there by the runners who had worked their way through the northern loop of the trail.

From this point we went south along the Duna and admired the work that is being done on Parliament. No one disputed that this is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and we can’t wait to see it when the cleaning and renovation is fully completed.

Continuing along the embankment we reached the Memorial of the “Shoes”. This is a low keyed but very moving sight and we lingered a bit to reflect upon this and discuss the tragic events that were the reason for its existence.

Leaving this site we crossed back over the embankment road (Another “Adventure”!). and meandered along some of the side streets admiring the lovely architecture. There are many classicly styled buildings in this area. Moving along we came back to Kossuth Lajos ter and crossed the small bronze bridge on which there is the statue of Imry Nagy. We followed Vecsey utca back to Szabadsac ter and, while the runners again followed a loop, the pack marched along Perczel utca next to the US Embassy. We then cut across Hercegprimas utca to St Istvan ter while the runners went up to Bajcsy Zsilinszky ut to come down beside the Basilica. From here it was a brief saunter to Josef nador ter where I had parked my car for the circle.

The circle was a bit disjointed but we managed to criticize the hare, welcome the virgins and identify offenders. We also opened the Hash Haberdashery briefly. We were joined at the circle by “sleeping beauty”. There was a wino sleeping off his vino quota on a park bench next to where we were conducting the circle. He never moved a millimeter or gave any indication of being aware of our presence despite our rousing songs. (We thought he might be dead but later when I came back to pick up my car he was gone..perhaps someone had come to pick up the body??)

After closing the circle we adjourned to Vorosmarty ter to get a bite to eat and wander around with the crowds at the Easter Mart. Then some of us continued on up to Deak Ferenc ter for the wine tasting. All in all a good day.

ON! ON!

BC

March 2nd, 2008 - Hash 887

Hash #882 ???
Hares: Giving Head and Baldric
Hashers: Jaws, Bang Cock, Rabies, NFG Chilla, NFG Jason, Haggis, Incredible Hulk

“ ….Why don’t we surprise Sex Tax and Pussy Willow….?”

Was one of the subjects of conversation at the Hash Lunch. Indeed, there was already a circle huddled together under ONE umbrella as I arrived late at Batthyany Ter. and the heavens had opened whilst waiting for the elusive Sex Tax and Pussy Willow. My hope that they would turn up late and I would be spared the wrath of Bang Cock were forlorn, as the Hashers were keen to get going, and out of the rain with some haste.

But before we could start, we already lost one ‘brave’ prospective hasher who decided she would rather go home. But all praise to her to have atleast made the effort to get to the gathering point on a horrible day. So the remaining 9 piled hurriedly into the two cars and were grateful to momentarily get into some shelter. Luckily, or simply that Haggis took pity on the Hashers who faced a long journey out of Budapest by public transport, she offered to stay and do the Hash and use her car.

The Trail had been laid the day before in a thunderstorm, some way out of Budapest on the road to Esztergom in the area known as Pilisvorosvar. We understand that Giving Head and Baldric had fun doing so, and had retired into the Microbrewery (which was to be the Beer Stop at the end of the trail) afterwards for some consolation. Baldric let on that they were there till 1000hrs., although was that until 10am that morning or 10pm the night before?

Had the weather been better, it would have been an excellent trail; thought it was still very good albeit a bit challenging. We certainly had a little hiccup trying to get there. The Hares had anticipated taking public transport, and so were confused as to how to get there by car; not least because the train we were supposed to catch ultimately was not due for another hour and as it was an A to B trail cars had to be parked accordingly! The confusion and the total loss of memory by Giving Head could be attributed to the night before…..but we did eventually arrive at the start point. The drivers and Giving Head then left the pack to ferry the cars to the end point and would come back in the second car.

So we waited for them at the station (the name I can’t pronounce let alone remember). As the station waiting room was closed we waited in the cold and the wet. And we waited…..and waited…..and waited! Giving Head must have forgotten the wonders of modern technology, or was it due to the amnesia from the night before or the morning after? Meanwhile, we were mistaken for ‘pilgrims’ by a ‘local’ woman. But we continued to wait. Then rabies started his laughter therapy, which kept us amused for a while. Eventually, Baldric called Giving Head to find out where they were. It turns out that there was another change of plans and rather than drive back in a car, they had decided to wait for the train; and would be with us in a few minutes.

We then had a joke (who said joke?) that hopefully they had got on the correct train going in the right direction; but that joke (who said joke?) wasn’t going to be very funny (like some of Bang Cocks) if indeed they had found themselves back in Budapest! But alas as the train pulled in and stopped there bounced out three familiar hashers. So we could begin at last…..but not before the hash photo and a joke (who said joke?). So Bang Cock accosted a very beautiful young woman to do the honours, and then offered to repay her favour…. but she ran away. However, Bang Cock did succeed in taking her photo, which is probably now enlarged into a poster. And so the trail began. Surprisingly, or maybe not given the weather, there were 6 runners and 3 walkers. Perhaps that is significant….

The trail for the runners would have made a military training run look like a walk in the park! Luckily the weather had calmed down and stopped raining; in fact we had sunshine as well, but the muddy paths required extra attention. It was a great run, nevertheless, and surprisingly some check points were still visible. The walkers generally took a different, gentler, trail; and as it is always sods law, just when one of them decides to relieve themselves believing the runners to be nowhere near, a bunch of runners do happen by to witness her embarrassment. Rabies might have been concerned as she was wearing his coat at the time!

NFG Jason (why is he still NFG? Please note Mismanagement) decided that it was time for lunch at his normal feeding time soon after we started. So he proceeds to snap at the flies, and succeeds in swallowing one. Delicious. And provided him with some of the protein for the day.

And so we continued to negotiate the trail, running and walking. Until we came to the construction site of a pipeline. As we examined the pipes, we noticed that the new pipework in the distance was not connected yet. So I, Jaws, had the bright idea of riding down inside the pipe to the bottom a few hundred meters away! Brilliant! Was I brave enough to do it? I was surprised how enthusiastic the others were at chucking me down the pipe and into the black hole, with little concern for my safety. Thanks…..not!

But we all emerged safely at the end point, and were most grateful to retire to the Microbrewery discovered by the Hares. And what a find…..a large (Korso) beer for a measly 250 Forints. But it seems since Baldric had been there the night before, or perhaps because he was still there that morning, the price of the beer had been put up already. Perhaps they heard the BPH3 were arriving and decided to make their year’s profit that weekend. We hope to return there in the future. Especially as they allowed us to have the circle out on their patio with our beers. They must have thought we were mad to go out in that weather, and decided to amuse us. The circle attracted the usual ‘punishments’ and penalties; but one that I have to protest is when I was brought into the circle for feeding a fellow Hasher a duck the previous week, which didn’t agree with her weak stomach!

The only problem with the Microbrewery was that they did not serve food, so reluctantly we went on to another restaurant, which was located right at the edge of a lake, and a beautiful setting. As the weather turned nasty again, we were grateful to be tucking into our meals indoors, enjoying a few jokes (who said joke?) and laughs, some at the expense of other Hashers ofcourse! “ ….Why don’t we surprise Sex Tax and Pussy Willow….?”. If you don’t want a Hash at your house or want to be at the receiving end of a joke perhaps you need to be at the Hash…..

On On Jaws

Feb. 24th 2008 - Hash 886

The Hash weather Gods were really grinning with us
this week. It was an absolutely beautiful day and we
did a trail laid by Jaws. We went out to Obudai
(Hajogyari) Siget where I had never been before. I
have looked at this area many times on the map
thinking it would make a good Hash venue and this was
proven out by yesterday's trail.

A dozen folks showed up to sign the "Hash
Book" which made an appearance after a long absence.
Attendees were myself, Jaws (the Hare), Haggis,
Incredible Hulk, Smokey Donkey, Cunning Linguist,
Nicola, Heather, Darina, Run by Batteries, French Made
and Martin. There was a bit of milling around at the
start as it was initially thought that the pack would
park in one area while the beer wagon went on ahead
and parked near the finish on the island. However, in
the end we all parked on the island. The start was
delayed a bit more by some who decided they wanted to
sit in a car and listen to music while the rest of us
waited and waited. Finally we set off on foot together
crossing back over the bridge and going to the start
near a HEV stop on the Buda side of the river.

As I mentioned it was a beautiful day but
this made the idea of an outing attractive to many,
many people and the island was pretty crowded. In fact
several of the marks so carefully laid by Jaws had
been destroyed or damaged by non-hashers out for the
day. This caused some confusion in the ranks but Jaws
managed to keep us on course to a nice little beer
stop in the middle of the island. Following that we
"waddled" back on the trail which took the runners
down along the rocks at the waters edge. At this point
Jaws attempted to give a short cut to the following
walkers by marking the check that led to the beach
trail so the walkers could simply dally along on the
upper path to the On-In. Unfortunately he forgot that
that path was also marked further along as a false
trail. This created some consternation among the
walkers but, as Hashers always seem to do, they
eventually sussed out the situation and decided to
head (HEAD...Who said Head?) back to the parking lot
where the circle was to be held. It was a lovely
trail, on the flat and of just the right length for
the group with checks placed to keep the walkers close
(at least up to the beer stop.).

On returning to the parking lot some of the
walkers immediately jumped in their vehicle and took
off. Never a Fare-the well, Kiss my A-- or any sort of
a good bye to the rest of us. We were left standing
dumbfounded waiting for them to join the circle. This
was truly BAD FORM. While it is true that the first
rule in Hashing is that there are no rules, we do try
to follow the basic precepts of etiquette and common
courtesy. This includes showing respect and
consideration for your fellow Hashers. All of us were
disappointed with this behavior.

We didn't let it upset the circle which was
a good one albeit a bit smaller than it should have
been. The mysterious "vanishing" orange cups
materialized and were well used by the group. The Hare
was given his down-down followed by others receiving
them for real or perceived (or simply made up)
offences. There was singing, mirth and merriment to
the consternation of many members of the non-hashing
public who were passing by.

After closing the circle we adjourned back
across the bridge to a lovely little near by
restaurant where we dined very well and at reasonable
prices. Wine and beer flowed while the Hash gorged
itself on the excellent food and enjoyed the
fellowship and good company. All's well that ends well
and those who stayed to the end had a full and
enjoyable day. Pictures follow.

ON! ON!
BC

PS: There are still a number of outstanding
"write-ups" past due. I know that French Frog Legs has
missed a few, French Made also owes one (Is this a
French trait???), "Romantic" Sanja has one outstanding
and I am not certain but even Run-by-Batteries may owe
one, although that may be the one owed by French Made
(There was some confusion one Sunday with much
"passing the buck" on who was to do the write up.).
This situation came up in conversation while we were
eating and it was agreed that there may exist a bit of
apprehension among some to whom English is not their
native tongue. It was stated that they may feel there
might be criticisms of their write-ups. Let me assure
you that is NOT the case. Any linguistic glitches are
ignored and we all enjoy reading the write-ups of the
trails we have done. The English speakers here
apologize for our inability to speak/read/write
Hungarian and are very grateful for the language
skills of the rest of you who are able to handle
several other languages including English. Further to
this if anyone does have this apprehension, Please do
a write-up and forward it to me. I will be more than
happy to go over it quietly and confidentially with
you until YOU are satisfied with the product. I will
not in any way detract from your thoughts or
presentation.