Crucifixion

After all my bad-mouthing of the Corona Hash, maybe it was Karma that nailed me to the cross on yesterday’s Angeles Hash. There were two options: a short 3.5K trail described as boring and a 5.5K long trail with a hill. Knowing that the Angeles Hash isn’t famous for challenging hikes, my Subic contingent took the long trail. And that resulted in my come to Jesus moment. The “hill” was a 200-meter climb, very steep in places, and often the dirt was soft and offered little traction. I can’t remember ever having to crawl on my hands and knees to overcome gravity before, but I experienced it yesterday. We all made it to the top eventually, greeted our savior, then headed back down the other side (which was mostly paved). We had one more short up before we reached the On-Home, which felt like icing on the cake. Lesson learned: not all Angeles City Hash trails are walks in the park.

I do have some quibbles, however. We were told to be at the Premier Hotel (just a few blocks from where we are staying) no later than 1:45 to sign up and catch the Jeepneys that were leaving for the trail start at 2 p.m. No one was there to sign us in, though, and one of the Angeles Hashers said we could pay at the Circle. That’s fine, and at two o’clock, we loaded into three waiting Jeepneys and took a forty-five minute ride out of town. Upon arrival, we noted that all the Hashers who had driven their cars had already started the trail. The Hare wasn’t there to offer guidance, and no one warned us of what was in store for those who chose the long option. The trail was not well-marked in places, and at the top of the hill we climbed, there was a U-turn that we should have been told about in advance. It took my group about 2.5 hours to finish the trail, and the circle was almost over when we arrived. I had just finished my first beer, and everyone started loading up in their vehicles to depart. But our Jeepneys were nowhere in sight. No one bothered to mention during the circle that the hill was too steep for a loaded Jeepney, so we had to carry our shit up to the Jeepneys before they departed. Undoubtedly, we would have been left behind if we hadn’t rushed up the hill in search of the Jeepneys. Anyway, rant over. It just took the fun out of the day.

Out of the Jeepneys on arrival and looking for guidance that never came
Fine, we’ll figure it out on our own
A pleasant beginning, enjoying new scenery through gently rolling terrain
Someone has a sense of humor, marking this as a “short-time room, 20 minutes only.” There was no one present to provide that service, though.
The view from here
This is the type of Hash trail we expected
We didn’t heed the smoke signal warning us of what lay ahead.
And then we came to the hill. It started like this…
…and devolved into this.

In the worst spots, I was clinging on for dear life and couldn’t snap photos.

And then we saw this. Praise the Lord!
Arriving at the summit
Let’s go have a look
Didn’t expect to see Jesus hanging around up here
The view from the top
Those tall white buildings in the distance are in Angeles City.
On the way down
Pavement was much nicer than loose dirt
More religious symbolism on the downward trek
The sign says, “The Last Supper.” Looks like we missed it.
I don’t know, and I don’t care
Kiss an angel good morning
I’m pro-Annunciation
Leaving Holyland and headed for hell
We did manage to dispense some sweetness along the way
Please stay flat the rest of the way!
It didn’t. Come on up, slowpoke!
The sun had seen just about enough of us
The Hash Circle was in progress when I arrived
And here comes the remainder of the Subic contingent. Yeah, we were dead last getting back. We also had to climb that hill again when we left.
Not quite 6K, and it was a ballbuster
A fuckin’ up
Gave the heart a good workout, at least

Once we got back to town, we headed to the hotel for a quick shower, then out again for some grub.

Close and convenient, the food is good, and the beer is cold.
I limited myself to a bowl of clam chowder. I liked it.

We did our nightcap at a bar called Black Satin. It was a typical dancer bar, but there seemed to be a good crowd for a Sunday evening. We handed out lollipops for the girls and it was nice to watch them suck (without paying for it). Then it was time to call it a night (another late one for me, almost 9:30!).

Barely making it is better than not.

Today’s entry from the LTG archives is from August 2005, with photos from my visit to New York City, a place I’m unlikely to ever see again, at least in person. It looks like I had a good time.

From Facebook memories, seven years ago, I was climbing mountains in Asan, Korea:

Climbing to new heights was so much easier back then
I don’t recall the name of the mountain we climbed, but it had a helipad on top. I got a kick out of seeing that someone had added a hanger.

And five years ago, this madness invaded my Philippines life:

I’m in jail it seems:

Enhanced Community Quarantine

24-hour CURFEW for EVERYONE

All public transport is suspended

You may go out ONLY to buy basic needs.

Work and school are suspended.

Restaurants are CLOSED. Only deliveries and take out are allowed, no eating in the restaurant.

Serious resistance or disobedience will subject the offender to arrest.

All the bars closed and stuck at home. What’s a fella to do?

Make a pot of chili, bake some cornbread, and pop the top on a San Mig Zero.

Today’s YouTube video features Reekay telling the sad story of a friend who married a narcissist. It didn’t end well.

The funny business:

Making room for more shit
I wonder if he is drinking Scotch whiskey
Put on your poker face

Alright, I’ve got another Hash to do today. The drive from here to Floridablanca is thirty minutes or so. Not sure what to expect from the trail today or what terrain we will encounter. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.

Happy Saint Paddy’s Day to my non-Scottish friends!

1 thought on “Crucifixion

  1. Oh, no! Effort! Seriously, though, that looked kinda steep.

    Didn’t expect to see Jesus hanging around up here

    There’s a muscular Jesus in Incheon’s Chinatown. See here.

    Pavement was much nicer than loose dirt

    That “pavement” (more like poured and scored concrete, similar to what’s in the Korean countryside) does look much safer and more comfortable for the way down. But it’s a good thing the PI doesn’t get snowy winters, or that road could become hella slippery.

    I don’t know, and I don’t care

    This shows how much I’ve forgotten. Google AI reminds us:

    Mount of Olives: Jesus’ teaching site & location of ascension
    Mount Tabor: site of Jesus’ transfiguration
    Mount of Golgotha: (well, most of us remember this one) Jesus’ crucifixion

    We did manage to dispense some sweetness along the way

    If you’re headed toward hell, is the pictured dog Cerberus?

    The sun had seen just about enough of us

    Whoa, great shot!

    I limited myself to a bowl of clam chowder. I liked it.

    Keto clam chowder would swap out the taters for cauliflower.

    Climbing to new heights was so much easier back then

    I think the last time you showed that pic years ago, you told us who the other guy was.

    All the bars closed and stuck at home. What’s a fella to do?

    Take advantage of the opportunity to get a little healthier!

    The drive from here to Floridablanca is thirty minutes or so.

    Good luck with the next Hash. One after another, eh?

    Florida = flowered, flowery
    blanca = white (fem.)

    You’re turning into Odin, what with the one good(ish) eye.

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