Run #192, June 6th, 2004
Having not been to the Nagoya hash in close to eight months I was quite excited at the prospect of returning. I managed to convince Valerie, my flat mate, to come with me and we set off from Kota on the long journey to Dog Mountain. I had not told anyone from the hash I was returning and wondered if anyone would recognize me. Getting off the train we passed Groper, and then saw Sexy Babe and Shinkansen. I wanted to sneak up scare them but Sexy babe recognized me coming down the stairs and my surprise attack was foiled.
As everyone gathered at the start I saw many old faces, along with many new ones. The group was about the same size but Monkey Manko appeared to be the only regular gaijin left. After a few sashiburi’s and waiting until everyone had arrived we set off one the course. I’ve been Ekiben and Sea cucumber warned us that the run started up hill and that’s where we went, in the wrong direction. After a few minutes we found the trail and set off towards our first checkpoint.
From there the hares took us along some rocky hillside paths and back down into the streets. We then came across a large temple where the trail all but disappeared and a good ten minutes (a much needed rest) were spent trying to find the next mark. We ran towards, alongside and across the train tracks and eventually came upon another checkpoint just before a bridge crossing a big river. Using my hashing instinct I determined that no hare could miss an opportunity to cross a body of water this large and was sure the true trail lead over the bridge. Piggy style also must have felt this and followed me. After crossing the bridge the trail continued through a set of traffic lights before I found that I was wrong and blurted out some unpleasantries pertaining to the unfairness of the hash gods.
The correct trail took us towards Dog Mountain Castle and we passed a National Treasure in the form of Tea Ceremony house, along with a few other temples. Climbing to the top of the castle hill took it’s toll and another ten minutes rest was required (taken under the guise of ‘still looking’). While I was taking this rest Peach Fuzz and Piggy styled joined me and the trail was quickly found. At this stage I assumed Chikubitch was miles ahead and we set off to catch him. To our surprise a few minutes later we caught sight of Chikubitch returning from a false trail - it seems the hash gods are fair after all.
We ran for a bit longer before we came across I’ve been Ekiben taking photo’s of us. We thought that we must have been near beer but we were wrong. We ran for another 15 minutes and Chikubitch and I were convinced that we had been going round in circles. We eventually ran into a department store and came out on the other side into a local festival. A few blocks later we saw our beloved near beer sign and met Sea Cucumber at the goal.
Everyone drank and ate and threw ice at people arriving at the goal for about an hour. The down downs started and the newcomers and virgins were introduced. For a moment it seemed we had a whole fleet of taxi drivers in the hash ready to drive us home after the hash bash but this wasn’t the case at all. After the virgin hashers and newcomers were introduced it became clear that some hashers wanted me to make up for my 8 months of no down downs with multiple consecutive down downs. I realized this, however, and was able to use my recently obtained powers of religion to avoid such a situation. Luckily there was a birthday boy present and if there is ever a reason to change the direction of down downs it’s a birthday. Monkey Manko handled it quite well, even drinking Finger Liking Good’s portion of beer. Then someone discovered that the playground equipment behind them went round in circles – really fast. Countless down downs were carried out inside this thing spinning at a high velocity. The most memorable one was with Crack Whore and Smelly Pussy inside. The results of which can be found at the base of a tree on the edge of the park.
From the park were headed to restaurant close to the station where we had plenty to drink and eat. The food was good, the beer was great and the company, even better. It was great to be back in Nagoya Hash. I look forward to many more.
On On Bushi Rider
Following message is written in Japanese.
その日は午前中から雨が降っていた。「今日は行こか、止めよか」と思っている内に雨はあがっていた。
名鉄電車で一路、犬山遊園へ
電車を降りると、「あれ？！」、約１年ぶりの懐かしいBushi Riderではないか？それもNew Comerを連れて駅の外にはすでにHasherが、というかHasherしかいませでしたが、曇りの中、４人のNew Comerを含めて、スタート。
いきなりの急勾配に、山道に、Lost Course。「不惑」の年齢かつ日頃の運動不足のGroperにはきつかった。当然、Walkモードへ
きつい勾配の山道を行きつつ、ときどき木の間から開ける景色は曇りながら長良川と犬山城を望む素晴らしい景色。みんな気が付いていたかな？
しばらく登ると、木々の間を下りはじめ、「ほっと」一息。しばらく行くと、遊園地の電車に、モノレールに、成田山。田圃に畑の間を抜けて、名鉄の線路を越えて、長良川方面へ。これで山コースは終わり。犬山城へ行くと思いつつ、川沿いのコースへ。ホテル、旅館を見ながら、お城へ行くと思いきや、そちらには向かわず、市街地へ。小学校の塀が瓦で葺いてあったり、昔の土蔵が残っていたり、旧い街並みに。こういう所にはあるんですね、食べ物屋が。出発前に言われていた、「お小遣い」がここで役に立ちました。１５０円の五平餅を食べて、リフレッシュの後、再スタート。しばらく行くと、前に走っていたはずのSexy babe #1、Monkey Manko達が隠れていました、御茶屋さんに。当然彼らも食べていました。団子を。
犬山の駅までたどり着いたら、スーパーマーケットを通り抜け、そこではハッピ姿の若者が踊ってた。いまいち盛り上がりに欠ける祭りをやってました。
そうこうしている内にNear Beerの文字が見えるとすぐゴール。
雨が降らなくて良かった良かった。山と旧い町の良いコースでした。HareのI've been Ekiben、Sea Cucumber ご苦労様でした。
ｂｙ Groper