Here dead we lie
Because we did not choose
To live and shame the land
From which we sprung.
Life, to be sure,
Is nothing much to lose,
But young men think it is,
And we were young.
–Alfred Edward Housman

And here’s what I remember about the Angeles City anniversary Hash yesterday. Sign-ups went as scheduled at the designated location. Our Hash fees included a Hash shirt.

We loaded into three Jeepneys and departed for the start of the Hash trail, a thirty-minute ride away. When we arrived, the Hare advised there were two trail options: Long (six kilometers with four hills) and short (four kilometers with two hills). And with that, we were off. It was a hot day, with little shade on the trail. Early on, we encountered a helicopter taking off. That was something different to see, but it was very loud. I guess they were practicing takeoffs and landings, because the chopper kept circling overhead. The noise got to be a bothersome distraction from the otherwise serene countryside. The hill climbs were short but very steep. But the coming down was insanely steep and slippery. There was no option for most of us than to take a seat on our ass and slide down. I didn’t like that one bit. Otherwise, the trail was well-marked and enjoyable. The Hash Circle was held under a highway overpass. I hadn’t had the foresight to bring along my foldable chair, but the Hare kindly lent me one, which was much appreciated. It seemed like a very long wait for the Circle to begin, and once it did, it seemed to go on for an excruciatingly long and tedious time. My mind began to wander, and for some reason, I thought of my softball playing days. Looking back at those happy times, I wondered if I had truly appreciated that special period of my life. And a light went off in my head (however dim it was), and I realized I ought to be enjoying these Hash moments while I still have them. That perked me up a bit, and the circle became more enjoyable.

Swan made a video with highlights from the hike and the Hash Circle.

Once the Jeepneys dropped us off, I was hungry. My favorite Angeles restaurant is Tequila Reef, but it was on the other side of town. And then I spotted a trike sitting there waiting for a passenger, so Swan and I jumped aboard.

And then it was time to call it a night. My driver arrived on time for our 8 a.m. pick-up, and we arrived home safe and sound.

Sunday’s report card: 14,176 steps, 10.9 kilometers walked, 3515 calories burned. (I did look it up, and “the number you see on your Fitbit device is your total calories burned for the day.”

In January 2009, I posted about the fourth-year anniversary of my arrival in Korea. The transition from my American life was pretty much complete and there was no going back.

In today’s YouTube video, Reekay poses the question of whether expat life is paradise or purgatory. My response would be “both.” I mean, I call my life here in the PI “paradise,” but sometimes it feels like a stop along the way to somewhere else. I’m hoping it’s that do-over life I’ve been dreaming of. I’ll get it right next time, promise!

Time for a smile or three:

Another day, another Hash. It’s a Vienna Sausage trail today, so I’ll need to find a workaround. I’ll let you know how that goes tomorrow.