Meet Steve Charles. The disco-dancing fanatic Hash that three quarters Welsh and Balinese quarter.
I went to live in Bali for 20 years. So I'm basically a Balinese quarter!
How did you end up in Bali in the early 90s?
I got a nightclub at the Hilton Amsterdam called Juliana and I sold it and decided to go for a holiday in Bali. Then someone offered me a job in Shanghai. They said, "So what do you do?" I said. "I was running a nightclub" Then they said: "Ah, we have a nightclub, do you feel like" I I said: "Yeah, great! "So four months turned into a year and a year turned into five years and I was in the Hard Rock Hotel opening team in 1998. I just finished at the Bali Dynasty porcelain, and I quit my job for work on time full Interhash.
For readers who do not know, what exactly is the Hash?
the Hash began just after war, in 1947, I think and how he started was these two guys were still doing patrols in the jungle, but the war had ended and they got a little bored of doing the whole time patrols, they started doing this thing called Fox and Hares they file a paper trail and the rest of the guys follow the trail paper.
they had a club where they were going to have a few beers after finishing their patrol and they used to serve hash, which is potatoes and corned beef and onion so they called the hash House Harriers and came from the running club. So Hash House Harriers are born of war. Kuala Lumpur were the first to have a club and it spread in Singapore and around the world after.
What happens to Hash?
You go for a run (or jog) following a paper trail that has been specially and tracks are generally eight to ten kilometers long, never more one hour. Then, after the race, you get together for a few beers and what we call "Down low".
Ah yes, the infamous low-low. I have also heard of some crazy initiations happening in the Hash. Can you name one of them?
When you are caught with new running shoes, you need to drink a pint of your shoes. They say you have to drink your shoe, but the secret is to simply put your glass in the shoe and drink out of it!
I'll remember that for next time! Does beer consumption is offset by the operation do you think?
I think so. The race is important for many people. Some of them are really fit guys looking and age group between 35 to 85, with Hanoi as Bill which is our oldest Hasher.
And you Hash works specially for families and women right?
Yes, there is. In Bali there is a race on Saturday for families only and the execution of men, too. Ther are five clubs in Bali composed of a bit of everything really.
Why do you think it is so popular here?
Fun, Fitness and Friendship is the word and members treat more like a social club rather than a fitness club to be honest, it makes it so popular.
I notice that everyone has a special Hash name - can you explain yours
Mine is Disco Wanker because I ' used to run a nightclub. It is really a source of embarrassment. Some names are worse than mine well!
I bet. And what is the Interhash?
We are the world 18 Interhash right now and he has been in places like Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, UK and the next countries bidding for it are China, Fiji and Belgium. I hear the buzz is that it is very good for Belgium at present. Thus, the new site was announced last Sunday and two years later, we all head off to the next place. The Borobudur Interhash just party was between 22 and 29 May, so a whole week of festivities.
You had to be extremely busy. So what was the summary of your Interhash?
It began with a VIP party for all the people of the government, our sponsors and Luminaries (famous people of Interhash). Then we made a Red Dress Run, where all riders must wear red dresses, and all proceeds will go to charity. We are building a school in Magelang for disabled children so at least something good for the community comes through.
So there is never a dull moment for you?
No, then after a big party. Then there is a rugby match followed by a welcome party where all runners are present, including the President who has never happened before in one of Interhash events.
How does the president learned Interhash?
Interesting story. The Panglima, who is the head of the army of Magelang and the Sultan of Jogja had a meeting with the President and during the break, the Panglima spoke to the Sultan about our event and heard the President and asked that it was all about and insisted he was attending! Thus, the First Lady joined with the Minister of Tourism, Sultan of Jogja, everyone. We even got the President to wear a shirt Hash!
Great work Steve! To contact Steve, email him at stevecharles2002@yahoo.co.uk