7-Eleven inconvenience

Really? I never knew that. I thought alcohol was reality.

Okay, if you’ve been waiting for the 7-Eleven Hash Run lowdown, you’ve come to the right place. We do this special Hash twice a year, on July 11 and again on November 7. Don’t ask me why that is. These Hashes are a worldwide phenomenon and involve trails linking those aptly named stores. Oh, and the 7-Eleven Hashers are supposed to have an alcoholic beverage at each stop along the way. I opt not to do so, however. I enjoy hiking, and I enjoy beer drinking, but not at the same time. Several in our group of twenty did play by the rules and had a cold one at all the stores. To their credit, they were still standing when we finished.

We gathered at the Baloy Beach Road 7-Eleven in Barretto to begin our journey.
We caught a Jeepney to take us to the Kalaklan Gate at the entrance to SBMA.
Our journey began with a river crossing.
Then through the gate and onto the former Navy Base.
It rained for our goodly portion of our journey.
Where oh where can that 7-Eleven be?
Eureka! We have successfully made it to stop #1 on our trail.
That bay they call Subic.
A wet and wild day.
Raindrops were falling on some of our heads.
The Philippine flag was proudly flapping in the breeze.
Stop #2 on our journey.
This was supposed to be our third stop, but the store had gone out of business.
So, the last store on SBMA became our 3rd stop.
Another bridge crossing at what used to be the main gate on the old Navy base.
Our 4th stop was in Olongapo City.
Onward to store #5.
Then it was #6.
Thank heaven we made it to seven!
And we weren’t late for #8. This is the stop where I had my first beer.

And that’s where we finished the journey.

About 6.5K along the way.
A Jeepney full of Hashers took us back to Barretto.
And dropped us off at the other 7-Eleven in town.

We popped into Red Bar for some more after-hike refreshments, then crossed the highway to It Doesn’t Matter.

Where the empties from the beverages consumed during the Hash were taped together…
…and proudly displayed at the front of IDM for the world to see.

And another 7-Eleven Hash tradition is to name the Wisest Wizard from the day’s outing.

Congratulations, Lick and Spit!

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, after IDM, I joined the gals at a karaoke bar and made peace with Swan there.

So, until November, when we shall reconvene the 7-Eleven Hash for yet another run.

Now, to get back on track, let me do a quick recap of my Sunday. Starting with a sloppy Decay Dance. It never rained during the actual walk, but the repercussions of the rainy season were in full bloom.

Heading out, Swan killed her first lamok (mosquito).
This is normally a dirt road, not a creek.
The rare dry spot along the way.
There is freedom in wet feet.
Which is a good thing when this is the only available way forward.

And then this happened. In all the years I’ve been walking this route, I’ve never seen it like this:

What the hell is going on here?
It kept getting deeper and deeper. And not being able to see where you are stepping is its own kind of disconcernment.
Oh, well. Hurry up and wade. It came up over my knees at one point.
I felt sorry for the people who live here.
Back on dry ground on the road to Easter Mountain.
Life’s a dance!
We did our usual Sunday evening routine, starting at Red Bar. What was unusual was the power outage in Barretto during our visit. Fortunately, it only lasted an hour or so.
The only hands that touched me.

Then it was on to Jumpin’ Jacks.

Two games of pool, and I won half of them.

For whatever reason, I had the urge to do some country swing dancing. So, I asked the DJ to play a suitable country song, “Cotton Eye Joe.” We were the only customers, so there was nobody to offend with my music choice. Swan started getting dizzy about halfway through the song, so I finished the dance on my own.

Yep, it was time to head for home, and that’s just what we did.

Back to the July 2020 LTG archives, where I write about being generously ignorant. That was two years into my Philippines life, and these days I’m somewhat better with my giving IQ. I went through a stage where, when someone asked for money (almost always bargirls), I asked them to give me something in return. Most of them were happy to do so, but it still felt hollow and transactional. Nowadays I have projects that I hope have a positive long-term impact, and the satisfaction I get from helping those truly in need is all I desire.

Today’s YouTube video asks whether you should give your Filipina an allowance. That was always my plan, and that’s what I do. If someone in Swan’s family needs assistance, they can go directly to her, and she can decide if it is a worthy request. I’m also helping Swan build a residence for her on the family compound. I’m pretty sure I’ll be dying before she does, and at least when I’m gone, she’ll have a roof over her head.

Maybe these will please you:

Choose your weapon wisely…
Looks like she’s trying to inflate him.
Making the breast of it. I admit that I don’t know what a “hudge tit” looks like.

And there you have it. Life goes on, and I’m gonna keep livin’ it and lovin’ it as long as I can. I’ve got a rainy day Hash to attend to, but I’ve decided I’ll be staying on the pavement today. Better safe than sorry and all that.

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