Its a Goa (again)

Some 300 hashers from around the world gathered in Cavelossim, South Goa, India for the 22^nd World Interhash. This should have been in Trinidad and Tobago, but Covid caused that event to be postponed for 2 years, from 2020, and eventually cancelled in April 2022 (Ed: 400 went anyway and had a jolly good time at Outerhash 2022, but that is another story). The Goa bid to hold Interhash in 2024 was brought forward to fill the gap.

The last Interhash in India, twenty years ago, was also in Goa. That time Ryde and Tablewhine were tasked with setting a trail on behalf of the UK Interhash 2004 bid. As they didn’t know this until the Wednesday before the event, they spent the Thursday Yellow Dress hash recruiting London hashers to help co-hare. Fortunately, Fat Bastard, Wild Bush and Mouthwash ‘volunteered’ to help. Mouthwash even got up at 6am on Saturday and Sunday mornings to make sure the beer truck was loaded for the day. This time the Thursday Red Dress trail was more relaxed than 2002.

Black Hole was first to arrive in Goa and was happy to check out the bars and advise which were worth a visit (or two) and where the cricket would be on TV.

Black Hole, White Trash and others enjoy a nice boat trip

On the day of the Red Dress run England cricket team were playing India. India were quickly scoring runs by the time the bus left for the hash and the Indian hashers were happy to let the English know the score. They seemed a bit quiet later, when England had beaten them! We were bussed a few miles out of town and ran back through fishing villages and lanes, a drink stop by the river and ended along the beach for the On Inn.

Then time to try a few Kingfisher beers, some great local food, including Vindaloo, Xacuti and Goan fish curry, while catching up with friends we haven’t seen for too long.

Friday’s opening ceremony was pleasantly short, with no speeches from local politicians. Obelix (the Interhash Chair) said we were welcome. and there was plenty of Kingfisher.

There were two trails to choose from on Saturday and Sunday so whichever one you did first, you could do the other the next day. Each came with a choice of Short, Medium and Long trails. Just pick where to get off the bus! Trail 1 was in North Goa. The trail took in a hill overlooking a wide valley, with great views. You could also see the hill from the other side of the valley, as we found out later, winding through paddy fields before ending at a Feni distillery.

The Saturday circle set the theme for the weekend with lots of ice. Some of the sinners were too old to get down onto the ice. Kermit helped out by taking the ice to them.

Kermit on the ice

This venue also had a swimming pool. Unfortunately for the hashers that did the trail on Sunday, the pool was booked for a local wedding party, so we had to pass the time drinking Feni cocktails, more Kingfisher and sitting on more ice.

Trail 2 was in South Goa and took in a long flight of steps down to a beautiful beach, then back up another long flight of steps and ended in the Cabo de Rama fort. More Kingfisher was consumed, as was a LOT of ice, being sat upon or in the ice buckets, which was much colder according to Back Door Boy. 

Ice cold water is worse than ice.  Trust me.

The Saturday and Sunday evening parties were themed Indian Hippy and Hash Indian dress respectively. This was announced about a week before the Interhash, when most of us had already packed our bags and left for India. Not Out and Big in Japan had obviously packed Indian costumes ‘just in case’ as they looked splendid in their outfits {Photo 5}.

Tablewhine looking pleased with himself