The President of the East Coast does Sissy Hankshaw
This past weekend saw around 160 fancy dress die-hards taking to the streets of Durban for a day that was not made for Sissies!
Sissy Hankshaw is fast becoming the social event on many a Durbanites calendar. Each year sees an increase in participants that organisers have had to put in a limit along with a first come, first serve basis.
Allen Petrie and his team do a superb job in managing the whole process from registration to ordering of drinks, ensuring the safety of all on tour and that everyone involved is having nothing short of fun!
So what is it …..
It’s a fancy-dress mystery hitch-hiking pub-crawl tour of course!
At a brief glance, it looks something like this : you enter and tour with a partner; strictly only two-person teams (but they allow for a little bending of the rules).
You can be a team of two girls, two guys or a boy and a girl mixed combo – all are welcome!
You then choose a very fancy fancy-dress outfit for your team – the more outrageous and creative the better!
Supposedly the fancier you dress up, the easier it will be to get lifts. In my four years of Sissy, I have yet to battle to get a lift – even this year dressed as the lost member of the Walking Dead!
You then spend the day hitch hiking your way along a well thought-out and planned route, from pub to pub. You do not know the route beforehand which adds to the overall excitement of the day.
Only on arrival at your next pub are you handed instructions with a task as well as your next destination: it’s very similar to the Amazing Race but way more fun.
It is 100% safe and with the early morning start time of 10am you end off well before the sun goes down - even slow coaches finish in daylight hours. But the party doesn’t!
The cost includes your choice of drinks at each pub, a hearty lunch halfway, mystery necessities, a souvenir T-shirt and some quality prizes. It is not a race and strictly nobody makes a profit - it’s all about adventure, fun and laughter!
No cars, no cash/cards, cellphones or watches are permitted.
No Cars? Hitch hike or walk! The exercise does people wonders and gives you an opportunity to meet some new peeps!
No money? All drinks and food are pre-ordered and pre-paid for. If you want more you are encouraged to beg, borrow, flirt but not steal!
No cellphones? If you need one, borrow - but I have to say it’s quite liberating going seven hours without one!
No watches? We spend most of our lives as prisoners of time, so on this day, unshackle yourself in the comforts of the adventure.
A big thank you to Allen and his team for organising yet another awesome day out, as well as to Samantha van der Watt from Catapilla Clobba (www.catapillaclobba.co.za ) for making our costumes and to Amy Karsen (AmyK Artworx – 074 804 9289) for the incredibly freaky yet impactful make up!
Just 360-odd days to Sissy 2014!! Whoop Whoop!!
For more information check out www.sissyhankshaw.co.za
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter: @lorynholmes or like my Facebook page for more pictures from the day.
- Loryn Holmes, aka The President of the East Coast