Mekong IndoChina Hash

Myanmar was nominated to host MIH VI, much to their surprise because they had not volunteered their services and because they were not actually represented at the GM’s meeting when the nomination was made. BoBo, the Yangon H3 GM, after having been deliberately delayed to sort out various “logistical” problems, only learned of his fate when he was eventually invited into a dark, smoke-filled room just in time hear the result of the GM’s vote. Result – a unanimous decision that Myanmar would be a perfect place to hold MIH VI. Despite BoBo’s objections about the lack of any internet facilities, lack of any banks or ATMs, the problems with visas, no mobile phones, etc,. etc., the Hash community said that no problem was insurmountable and that everyone would help. Oh sure!

MIH VI was held in November 2003 and somehow successfully overcame the raft of seemingly insurmountable problems that perhaps only people who live in the region can begin to understand. Whereas Chiang Mai had the largest number of attendees, Yangon had the least; 175 brave souls managed to overcome the logistical hurdles of getting there but, for the people that made the attempt, the Hashing and facilities provided were memorable. (For all of you who were at InterHash in Chiang Mai and wondered about how they got the idea for their spectacular launching of 1,000 fire balloons into the night sky at the closing ceremony, you only needed to have been there on the last night of the Mekong Indochina Hash VI when the local Tazaungdaing (Lighting) festival was celebrated with gusto including the launching of two twenty feet high traditional Shan balloons shaped like a pair of Hash feet. On On!

The Hashing followed the usual format with TDH3 kicking things off on Friday 7th November with an in-town run while the main Saturday event took place to the north of the city. The temperatures were unusually hot for the time of year and the ice in the Circle was a welcome addition to the Down Downs. The Circle site was situated in the shadow of a pagoda nestled on the banks of Hlawga Lake and the assembled Hashers were treated to the sights and sounds of a local temple festival as night fell and a full moon rose majestically over the pagoda. The Sunday run was held to the south of the city, near the famous “Pagoda in the River” and, learning from the previous day’s experiences, multiple additional beer stops were provided – much to the relief of the Hashers as they traversed bamboo forest, monasteries, rice paddies, pagodas – not to mention Hindu temples and Christian cemeteries!

Those wishing to expand their Yangon Hashing experience were invited to participate in the Yangon Full Moon Run 58 on the following Monday evening and, although it was not realized at the time, this was, in some respects, the precursor to the now annual Mekong Indochina Full Moon Hash set by BoBo wherever and whenever the MIH event is being held. However, at that time it was not labeled as a Mekong Indochina Hash event.