International Mankini Challenge

Official International Mankini Challenge Christmas Message 2009

by malph on Dec.24, 2009, under Other Mankini News

On December 8th 2008 the International Mankini Challenge was launched. By Christmas it was still in its infancy with only France and Brazil having been Mankinied leaving a list of 16 countries(ish) left to do. Now, a year on, 15 countries in total have been visited by Mankini Malph with a further two, Australia and England, completed by you guys. So what is the Christmas message for 2009?

While you’re at home ripping open the wrapping paper hoping for the STA Travel vouchers you wanted, the new backpack or the Merrel walking boots, spare a thought for me as I sit with my new travel friends in Buenos Aires (Argentina) hoping one of them has had the forsight to buy me a new Mankini.

The old green lycra number with its loose threads, questionable stains (not my doing, a symptom of being stuffed in a backpack with random other stuff) and perishing elastic has seen better days. Travelling in my backpack and going through numerous hot washes at local Lavanderias has not helped matters. However it’s done me proud and no doubt will continue to hold its own (and mine) during the festive period, but like everyone, it needs a break at some time.

And so as you start to think about making your New Year’s resolutions for 2010 please could you please promise me one thing… that you’ll either actively join the revolution that is the International Mankini Challenge, bringing a smile (although more often it’s a grimace) to others’ faces, or that you’ll encourage others to take up the challenge by buying them a Christmas Mankini (there’s a link on the site for you to be able to do this – you’d be amazed at how often I’m actually asked where you can get one)?!

At the end of the day there are 172 countries left to do, and unlike Santa I can’t get around these all in one night and so need your help. Remember, we’ll both benefit. I’ll get the satisfaction of completing a very difficult challenge and you’ll get to see the pictures that always raise a smile on those hard days in the office.

Happy Christmas to you all and thank you so much for all your support and comments. Find below a taste of what will be happening in San Telmo, Buenos Aires this Christmas as it was last. These mankini pictures were taken at Hostel Clan in Buenos Aires in 2008 as I was acclimatising to the mankini.

Buenos Aires - Mankini Malph Buenos Aires - Mankini Malph
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