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California mooners in track show | California mooners in track show |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Up to 10,000 people show up each year to bare their behinds to passing Amtrak trains | Up to 10,000 people show up each year to bare their behinds to passing Amtrak trains |
The southern Californian city of Laguna Niguel has been enjoying an annual ritual, in which locals and visitors bare their bottoms at passing trains. | The southern Californian city of Laguna Niguel has been enjoying an annual ritual, in which locals and visitors bare their bottoms at passing trains. |
For 30 years, the city has hosted "Mooning Amtrak" as crowds line up along the railway tracks, dropping their trousers when a train passes by. | |
Up to 10,000 people take part, and visitors are encouraged to leave their cars at home and arrive by train. | Up to 10,000 people take part, and visitors are encouraged to leave their cars at home and arrive by train. |
Local legend has it the tradition began in 1979, after a bar room bet. | Local legend has it the tradition began in 1979, after a bar room bet. |
A drinker at the Mugs Away Saloon, which stands directly across the road from the railway, offered to buy a drink for anyone who would run outside and moon at the next train. | A drinker at the Mugs Away Saloon, which stands directly across the road from the railway, offered to buy a drink for anyone who would run outside and moon at the next train. |
One customer took him at his word, and a ritual was born. | One customer took him at his word, and a ritual was born. |
Each year the event grows, with crowds swelled by word of mouth and enthusiastic reports from radio DJs on local radio stations. | Each year the event grows, with crowds swelled by word of mouth and enthusiastic reports from radio DJs on local radio stations. |
There were reports in 2008 of surging crowds and drunkenness, and police and a helicopter were called in from neighbouring towns to maintain order. | There were reports in 2008 of surging crowds and drunkenness, and police and a helicopter were called in from neighbouring towns to maintain order. |
Last year the city, which lies in Orange County between Los Angeles and San Diego, decided enough was enough. | Last year the city, which lies in Orange County between Los Angeles and San Diego, decided enough was enough. |
"Avoid the area this year," the city warned on its website home page. It added in a breezy Twitter feed that the city was "saying 'NO' to crack". | "Avoid the area this year," the city warned on its website home page. It added in a breezy Twitter feed that the city was "saying 'NO' to crack". |
Moon Amtrak enthusiasts were not impressed. | Moon Amtrak enthusiasts were not impressed. |
Each year the event grows, with crowds of up to 10,000 reported | Each year the event grows, with crowds of up to 10,000 reported |
Mugs Away regular Rick Sanchez blamed a "stuffy, yuppie mayor" who had "never even been to a mooning", the Wall Street Journal reported. | Mugs Away regular Rick Sanchez blamed a "stuffy, yuppie mayor" who had "never even been to a mooning", the Wall Street Journal reported. |
The event even has its own website, this year proudly headed "31st Annual Mooning of Amtrak". It also promoted a newer offshoot: "5th Annual Mooning of Metrolink". | The event even has its own website, this year proudly headed "31st Annual Mooning of Amtrak". It also promoted a newer offshoot: "5th Annual Mooning of Metrolink". |
It features directions to Camino Capistrano, the road where trousers and dignity are dropped each year, and helpfully lists train times through the day, so that people can schedule their disrobing. | |
And after 8pm, there is night mooning. "Bring a flash light with plenty of batteries, or better yet, bring a camping lantern," the website advises. | And after 8pm, there is night mooning. "Bring a flash light with plenty of batteries, or better yet, bring a camping lantern," the website advises. |
There is even a "Frequently Asked Questions" section for mooning debutantes. "Can I decorate my butt?" is one FAQ. | There is even a "Frequently Asked Questions" section for mooning debutantes. "Can I decorate my butt?" is one FAQ. |
Yes, that's OK, apparently. | Yes, that's OK, apparently. |
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