the Hash

No we are not back in Amsterdam! Sunday we joined up w/ the family from Minnesota and went to find the Hash which is put on by local mzungu (white people/westerners) and is hosted by a different person every 2 wks. It is an international activity where there is a "hare" who sets a walking and running route (5k and 8k) and marks it w/ spots, occasional arrows and "x's" made w/ flour. when you hit an "x" you have to fan out in different directions to find the next dot to make sure you are going the right way. if you are ahead of others, you might make an arrow to show the stragglers which way to go and save them some time. since we couldn't even find the start house at first, we got some help from those in front. but at the first x there was no help and Mark had turned around too soon before the flour dot and we spent about 15 min going no where till we finally figured it out. it was a great way to see little nooks and crannies of the area around us and to be laughed at by locals who had seen other mzungu before us, though some did help us when we mimed "which way did the runners go"? Gabriella walked w/ the other family and all the boys ran. we caught up to the walkers where the trails merged and made our way back together to the house for sodas and beer. there we got to meet the ex-pats that were regulars to the hashes and we were told this was a tame one. they sometimes have to go thru rivers and climb over rocks and sometimes the "hare" can trick you and make you do extra before you see the flour sign telling you to go back!
glad we got to experience it. we will be heading to Zanzibar after our safari when the next one occurs.
the orphanage was OK. mostly toddlers were out who were very cute but you had to watch for the ones not potty trained as they don't put diapers on them!
Gabriella says hi to all her girls! Bella, Madison, Mary Margaret and Elizabeth.
luke is bored watching me type. poor guy.
will post again.
we go on safari in 1 week from today!