A rain-soaked Hash yesterday. Light rain when we started, heavy by the end. There were two trail options: the “turkey trail” and the “eagle trail.” I took the high-hard route for some reason. It got a little dicey towards the finish as everything was soaked and muddy. I bailed on the last hill climb because it just felt too dicey. But considering the elements, it was a nice challenge to get as far as I did.
The On-Home was at Fireman’s (Todd’s) house, and he had food catered from the kitchen at It Doesn’t Matter brought in. It was all good and a very generous gesture to feed forty-odd wet and hungry Hashers. Here are some photos from the day:
The day’s wet path. There was a beer stop in Marian Hills. From there, you could choose to be a turkey and walk back on roads, or you could soar like an eagle up into the hills. Or be like me and do something in between those two extremes.Gathering up at the VFW.Let the wetness begin!The streets were wet, and before long, so were we.A backway into Alta Vista.On the streets in my neighborhood.Leaving Alta Vista behind.Early on, I was surprised it wasn’t more slippery. Later I wished it wasn’t.Upsy daisy.Heading for the hills–Marian Hills, that is.Turkeys to the right, eagles to the left.Gathering up at the beer stop, also generously supplied by Fireman.I personally didn’t partake. I like my walkin’, and I like my drinkin’. Just not at the same time.A sloppy climb up from Marian Hills, but taking a pause to view the rain-soaked Easter mountain.What’s Up Doc pauses to pose.Wet and wild.Country livin’.Our trail didn’t cross this bridge. Probably just as well.Passing through my mountain family friend’s place. It’s still surprising to be greeted by the kids by name.The spread Fireman provided.Our gracious On-Home host.It was pouring down rain during our Hash circle.But the Hash goes on, rain or shine.
It will be hot again eventually, and I’ll be able to stop complaining about the rain. On those sweaty days, I’ll be longing for the cooling feeling of a rain-soaked shirt.
Life is all about taking the bad with the good. And everything in between.
10 thoughts on “Where eagles dare”
I personally didn’t partake. I like my walkin’, and I like my drinkin’. Just not at the same time.
So in the pic with the above caption, who’s the non-Filipina-looking lady?
I assume you mean the one right in front of me…all I know about her is that she works at a local bar called Blue Butterfly. One of the guys has sponsored her these past couple of weeks.
It’s funny how you see her as non-Filipina-looking. I’ve noticed several different Filipina looks–some province girls are very dark, some gals have a Chinese vibe, and others look almost like they are from India. Granted, the one you mention is tall and curvy, and her face structure is a little uncommon. Maybe her dad was a foreigner?
Interesting. Most of the ladies you show on your blog (except for outliers like Black and Dick Her) follow a pretty classically Asian look. The lady in the above picture could practically pass for Caucasian were you to crank up the tint of her skin a bit. Long nose, more angular jaw—she doesn’t fit the Asian mold at all. But if you say Filipinas come in all shapes and sizes, who am I to dispute you? With the country’s history of European colonization, I guess anything goes.
You know what this means, though: you’d better start following a diversity quota and representing more non-Asian-looking Filipinas on your blog! Or I’ll call Bong Bong and report you!
Yeah, I think that the Spanish colonization and the Chinese trade dominance have made Filipinas come in all shapes and sizes. Not to mention that many have American blood from the years we here in force. But yeah, they have their charms, whatever their heritage and trust me, all attractive Filipinas are welcome here at LTG.
Looks like you’re back on the mend.
Good to see you back 🙌
Also seems like your ex is back in town ….Maris , is it ?
And Kevin is right; the lady in front of you has looks that may be described as exotic. She could be from anywhere from the south of India to San Francisco Bay. Though I noticed that you paid her no attention at all . Not your type eh?
Speaking of types , I hope Joy is well. You know I have always rooted for your happiness to be shared with her, although it looks like you’re content to just occasionally share your food and bed for the time being. Now that I think about it, isn’t that what marriage is about ? It’s just people sharing food and a bed on special occasions throughout the days of their lives.
That hideaway bar seems to rely just on you as their sole customer. Is the location so far away from humanity? Or does the bar not have the kind of vibe that attracts more crowds?
I would think that a bar with such fine ladies would get more foot traffic. Or is that the one with the Australian bar owner who’s generally described by everyone as a bit of a bellend? That’s British slang for someone whose demeanor is generally believed to be unpleasant.
And what is this sponsorship you speak of? Is your hash club like the AA where you need a sponsor to continue walking through the streets of the city to see Easter mountain ⛰️ 🤔 That would absolutely make sense 😀 With the rituals, and counting the number of walks, and the shirts and the nicknames.
In which case new members should be initiated by their sponsors.
Which reminds me 🤔
Did you ever write about how and why you started this hashing business? I know that I read somewhere, that in your final angst-filled years in the service of Uncle Sam’s business ,that you were exiled fron your metropolitan home to a much smaller town with nothing to do but drink and walk after work. And you did both, of your own volition and with no supporting cast.
Finding and joining this drinking walking club must have been partly responsible for you setting in what is a rather tepid town as far as I can tell.
Thanks for the writing as usual.
Keep your feet dry on those walks.
And welcome back to full health. You’re a legend who beat covid twice
Nice to see you back here in the comments too, Jimmy!
Yes, Marissa moved back to Barretto last week. I saw her at the Hash but didn’t really say much beyond hello. I wish her well in her search for a job and a place to live. I don’t blame her for wanting to get the hell out of Manila!
It’s true I never paid much attention to the “exotic” woman at the Hash, other than noticing her fine ass. I got curious about her after reading Kevin’s comments, so last night, I made a rare stop in Blue Butterfly to get to know her a little better. Came away very impressed; I’ll write some about her in today’s post.
As for Joy, she’s a very sweet young woman, and I do enjoy my twice-weekly visits to see her at the Hideaway bar. She would be potential girlfriend material, except for the fact that she has two young kids. She is not free to spend significant time with me (I want to wake up with my girlfriend in the morning, for example), and I’m not really interested in raising her kids.
Hideaway bar is doing surprisingly well, actually. The last couple of times I was there, it felt almost too crowded. I don’t know the owner (I think he lives in AC), but the manager, Griff (Aussie, I believe), is a nice guy who sends me over a free drink now and then. It’s a local expat hangout; very rare to see a tourist in there. And yeah, it’s a bit hard to find unless you know where to look (up an alley near the Arizona resort). I’d probably go there more often, but it is on the wrong side of town for me. Heh, never heard the term “bellend” before. Good to know!
When I speak of Hash sponsorship, I’m talking about paying the entry fee for your female guests. We charge 350 pesos each week (includes all the beer you can drink), and a lot of the local gals couldn’t afford to attend without a “sponsor.” I usually pay for two or three girls each week (Black And Dick Her and What’s Up Doc are my regulars), and in return, they fetch me my beers and stick with me on the trail during the Hash. At least I won’t die alone at the Hash!
My first ever Hash was on January 1, 2017 here in Barretto. I’d taken up hiking a couple of years earlier after my Korean wife dumped me. So, I had been walking the streets of Seoul even prior to my exile in Pyeongtaek. A local vlogger in Barretto I followed as part of my research before moving here was a Hasher back then. I met him during a visit, and he invited me to come to the Hash. I joined the local Hash in Pyeongtaek when I got back home. They are the ones who named me Cum Together.
Barretto is a good fit for me; I like the small town feel and having other like-minded expats around
It doesn’t feel “tepid” to me at all.
Yes, it is great to be back to relatively good health. I did get tested, and the second illness was not COVID, just a viral infection of some sort. Now I just need to focus on my mental health–I’m working on it!
Thanks again for reading, Jimmy!
Thanks for the reply.
Yes , I encourage you to explore things with this exotic lady . This life of yours could benefit from introducing a new character ✨️
I am not sure about this Blue Butterfly, without re-reading your bar reviews I’d hazard a guess and say it’s not one of the highly-rated, or maybe is the one with all the live music. 🤔 Either way, it won’t hurt to get another regular hangout spot into your rotation ; especially after the cold shoulder from patrons at your dart bar .
We can all count on you to have a favorite lady at each bar you visit, and to eventually pluck up the courage to make an attempt at a relationship of sorts 😉
It may be a feeble gesture or romance, but you can do it
As for the bellend, I was thinking of the Thumbstar manager. We all agree that he’s a bit of a wanker.
More British slang for you.
Do not attempt to use any of these words
James, as a matter of fact, I’m planning to back for another visit tonight. Gonna bake her a batch of brownies. Blue Butterfly is a nice enough bar–pool table, dart board, and an outside seating area I enjoy. Not the best location for me (the wrong side of town), but I do plan to visit more often. They also give Hashers a discount on their drinks.
It’s hilarious, but when you explained the meaning of “bellend,” the first thing I thought of was the Thumbstar manager. Heh, great minds think alike! Is being a wanker worse than being a bellend, or can you be both?
As they say in Stoke , it’s a difference without distinction.
A wanker is more deliberate in his misconduct, and obtains a perverse sense of pleasure from rubbing people the wrong way.
A bellend is more socially inept and usually behaves in a boorish manner to increase his sense of self-worth , except that he believes that such self-esteem is a zero sum game so he won’t abide anyone else in his orbit who may display any semblance of confidence.
The Thumbstar hero is probably a good combination of both, but more of the second part. But I’m sure his friends, associates and acquaintances are adamant that he has some redeeming qualities…which strangers like you and I are too blind to see 👀
In any case, your town is populated by people who have had a lot of varied life experiences, which in a way entitles them to semblance of a sense of confidence and many may expect something akin to respect 🙏
And the fact that virtually everyone of your demographic is in the upper echelons of wealth in that town, it is understandable that people may expect a kind of treatment that befits their stature.
Which brings me to my constant refrain: you interacting with such individuals, like-minded and on a similar socioeconomic level is something I would like you to do more of. But of course life doesn’t work that way : we don’t make friends based on tax brackets or even national allegiance. And of course, part of your living in the country is so that you become immersed in the local culture ; and Kevin will be the first to encourage you to learn Tagalog at least for a few weeks . And then we all remember that you’re retired and you should do just as you please 🙏 You got the best of both worlds: living in a cheaper country without having to give up the comforts of your homeland , and still not experiencing too much discomfort due to culture shock.
Last but not least: you actually have a quest, a mission to find a companion to share your largesse with; and that struggle keeps you nimble and agile enough , and motivated enough to write ,think and talk about it. And that is a major reason why your readers keep coming back ; we’re really rooting for you
Good stuff, James. Yeah, he’s more of a wanker, for sure!
I think it is just my nature not to get too close to anyone, especially my fellow man. That said, I do have more interactions and associations than I let on about here on the blog. Who knows, maybe I’ll make a “bestie” one of these days.
Of course, I’d much rather find a woman to pass the time with. I don’t even care about the “love” think all that much anymore. Someone compatible for companionship and sharing some adventures would be just fine.
I personally didn’t partake. I like my walkin’, and I like my drinkin’. Just not at the same time.
So in the pic with the above caption, who’s the non-Filipina-looking lady?
I assume you mean the one right in front of me…all I know about her is that she works at a local bar called Blue Butterfly. One of the guys has sponsored her these past couple of weeks.
It’s funny how you see her as non-Filipina-looking. I’ve noticed several different Filipina looks–some province girls are very dark, some gals have a Chinese vibe, and others look almost like they are from India. Granted, the one you mention is tall and curvy, and her face structure is a little uncommon. Maybe her dad was a foreigner?
Interesting. Most of the ladies you show on your blog (except for outliers like Black and Dick Her) follow a pretty classically Asian look. The lady in the above picture could practically pass for Caucasian were you to crank up the tint of her skin a bit. Long nose, more angular jaw—she doesn’t fit the Asian mold at all. But if you say Filipinas come in all shapes and sizes, who am I to dispute you? With the country’s history of European colonization, I guess anything goes.
You know what this means, though: you’d better start following a diversity quota and representing more non-Asian-looking Filipinas on your blog! Or I’ll call Bong Bong and report you!
Yeah, I think that the Spanish colonization and the Chinese trade dominance have made Filipinas come in all shapes and sizes. Not to mention that many have American blood from the years we here in force. But yeah, they have their charms, whatever their heritage and trust me, all attractive Filipinas are welcome here at LTG.
Looks like you’re back on the mend.
Good to see you back 🙌
Also seems like your ex is back in town ….Maris , is it ?
And Kevin is right; the lady in front of you has looks that may be described as exotic. She could be from anywhere from the south of India to San Francisco Bay. Though I noticed that you paid her no attention at all . Not your type eh?
Speaking of types , I hope Joy is well. You know I have always rooted for your happiness to be shared with her, although it looks like you’re content to just occasionally share your food and bed for the time being. Now that I think about it, isn’t that what marriage is about ? It’s just people sharing food and a bed on special occasions throughout the days of their lives.
That hideaway bar seems to rely just on you as their sole customer. Is the location so far away from humanity? Or does the bar not have the kind of vibe that attracts more crowds?
I would think that a bar with such fine ladies would get more foot traffic. Or is that the one with the Australian bar owner who’s generally described by everyone as a bit of a bellend? That’s British slang for someone whose demeanor is generally believed to be unpleasant.
And what is this sponsorship you speak of? Is your hash club like the AA where you need a sponsor to continue walking through the streets of the city to see Easter mountain ⛰️ 🤔 That would absolutely make sense 😀 With the rituals, and counting the number of walks, and the shirts and the nicknames.
In which case new members should be initiated by their sponsors.
Which reminds me 🤔
Did you ever write about how and why you started this hashing business? I know that I read somewhere, that in your final angst-filled years in the service of Uncle Sam’s business ,that you were exiled fron your metropolitan home to a much smaller town with nothing to do but drink and walk after work. And you did both, of your own volition and with no supporting cast.
Finding and joining this drinking walking club must have been partly responsible for you setting in what is a rather tepid town as far as I can tell.
Thanks for the writing as usual.
Keep your feet dry on those walks.
And welcome back to full health. You’re a legend who beat covid twice
Nice to see you back here in the comments too, Jimmy!
Yes, Marissa moved back to Barretto last week. I saw her at the Hash but didn’t really say much beyond hello. I wish her well in her search for a job and a place to live. I don’t blame her for wanting to get the hell out of Manila!
It’s true I never paid much attention to the “exotic” woman at the Hash, other than noticing her fine ass. I got curious about her after reading Kevin’s comments, so last night, I made a rare stop in Blue Butterfly to get to know her a little better. Came away very impressed; I’ll write some about her in today’s post.
As for Joy, she’s a very sweet young woman, and I do enjoy my twice-weekly visits to see her at the Hideaway bar. She would be potential girlfriend material, except for the fact that she has two young kids. She is not free to spend significant time with me (I want to wake up with my girlfriend in the morning, for example), and I’m not really interested in raising her kids.
Hideaway bar is doing surprisingly well, actually. The last couple of times I was there, it felt almost too crowded. I don’t know the owner (I think he lives in AC), but the manager, Griff (Aussie, I believe), is a nice guy who sends me over a free drink now and then. It’s a local expat hangout; very rare to see a tourist in there. And yeah, it’s a bit hard to find unless you know where to look (up an alley near the Arizona resort). I’d probably go there more often, but it is on the wrong side of town for me. Heh, never heard the term “bellend” before. Good to know!
When I speak of Hash sponsorship, I’m talking about paying the entry fee for your female guests. We charge 350 pesos each week (includes all the beer you can drink), and a lot of the local gals couldn’t afford to attend without a “sponsor.” I usually pay for two or three girls each week (Black And Dick Her and What’s Up Doc are my regulars), and in return, they fetch me my beers and stick with me on the trail during the Hash. At least I won’t die alone at the Hash!
My first ever Hash was on January 1, 2017 here in Barretto. I’d taken up hiking a couple of years earlier after my Korean wife dumped me. So, I had been walking the streets of Seoul even prior to my exile in Pyeongtaek. A local vlogger in Barretto I followed as part of my research before moving here was a Hasher back then. I met him during a visit, and he invited me to come to the Hash. I joined the local Hash in Pyeongtaek when I got back home. They are the ones who named me Cum Together.
Barretto is a good fit for me; I like the small town feel and having other like-minded expats around
It doesn’t feel “tepid” to me at all.
Yes, it is great to be back to relatively good health. I did get tested, and the second illness was not COVID, just a viral infection of some sort. Now I just need to focus on my mental health–I’m working on it!
Thanks again for reading, Jimmy!
Thanks for the reply.
Yes , I encourage you to explore things with this exotic lady . This life of yours could benefit from introducing a new character ✨️
I am not sure about this Blue Butterfly, without re-reading your bar reviews I’d hazard a guess and say it’s not one of the highly-rated, or maybe is the one with all the live music. 🤔 Either way, it won’t hurt to get another regular hangout spot into your rotation ; especially after the cold shoulder from patrons at your dart bar .
We can all count on you to have a favorite lady at each bar you visit, and to eventually pluck up the courage to make an attempt at a relationship of sorts 😉
It may be a feeble gesture or romance, but you can do it
As for the bellend, I was thinking of the Thumbstar manager. We all agree that he’s a bit of a wanker.
More British slang for you.
Do not attempt to use any of these words
James, as a matter of fact, I’m planning to back for another visit tonight. Gonna bake her a batch of brownies. Blue Butterfly is a nice enough bar–pool table, dart board, and an outside seating area I enjoy. Not the best location for me (the wrong side of town), but I do plan to visit more often. They also give Hashers a discount on their drinks.
It’s hilarious, but when you explained the meaning of “bellend,” the first thing I thought of was the Thumbstar manager. Heh, great minds think alike! Is being a wanker worse than being a bellend, or can you be both?
As they say in Stoke , it’s a difference without distinction.
A wanker is more deliberate in his misconduct, and obtains a perverse sense of pleasure from rubbing people the wrong way.
A bellend is more socially inept and usually behaves in a boorish manner to increase his sense of self-worth , except that he believes that such self-esteem is a zero sum game so he won’t abide anyone else in his orbit who may display any semblance of confidence.
The Thumbstar hero is probably a good combination of both, but more of the second part. But I’m sure his friends, associates and acquaintances are adamant that he has some redeeming qualities…which strangers like you and I are too blind to see 👀
In any case, your town is populated by people who have had a lot of varied life experiences, which in a way entitles them to semblance of a sense of confidence and many may expect something akin to respect 🙏
And the fact that virtually everyone of your demographic is in the upper echelons of wealth in that town, it is understandable that people may expect a kind of treatment that befits their stature.
Which brings me to my constant refrain: you interacting with such individuals, like-minded and on a similar socioeconomic level is something I would like you to do more of. But of course life doesn’t work that way : we don’t make friends based on tax brackets or even national allegiance. And of course, part of your living in the country is so that you become immersed in the local culture ; and Kevin will be the first to encourage you to learn Tagalog at least for a few weeks . And then we all remember that you’re retired and you should do just as you please 🙏 You got the best of both worlds: living in a cheaper country without having to give up the comforts of your homeland , and still not experiencing too much discomfort due to culture shock.
Last but not least: you actually have a quest, a mission to find a companion to share your largesse with; and that struggle keeps you nimble and agile enough , and motivated enough to write ,think and talk about it. And that is a major reason why your readers keep coming back ; we’re really rooting for you
Good stuff, James. Yeah, he’s more of a wanker, for sure!
I think it is just my nature not to get too close to anyone, especially my fellow man. That said, I do have more interactions and associations than I let on about here on the blog. Who knows, maybe I’ll make a “bestie” one of these days.
Of course, I’d much rather find a woman to pass the time with. I don’t even care about the “love” think all that much anymore. Someone compatible for companionship and sharing some adventures would be just fine.
Wish me luck!