M-whY

Fortunately, Deer found it in her condo, and sent it to my aunt's place via express mail. Recieving packages required identification, and with my passport being the only form I carry, I had to wait until I had it back in hand. It would be ready this afternoon, so at the appointed time, I returned to Mong Kok to pick it up, and followed that with a run to the post office. When my administrative work was finally finished, it was too late to really go anywhere.

I gave my friends a call, and learned that they were playing basketball later that night. Rather than stay home and watch Chinese soap operas on TV, I decided to join them and stretch my legs a little, even though I knew I'd feel horribly sore the next day. Like two nights earlier, I played horribly.

"We're going out to drink tonight, do you want to come?" invited JLo afterwards.

I wanted to go, but there were a couple obstacles in my way. First, I had nothing to wear, as the stuff I was wearing were drenched in sweat. Also, trains to my aunt's place stopped running at midnight, and it was likely we'd stay out well past that time. JLo solved both of them by offering to put me up for the night and letting me borrow some of his clothes.

"You sure it's no problem?"

"Sure. I have the whole place to myself anyways. My parents are out of town and my brother is staying over with his girlfriend."

So I ended up washing up at his place and heading out to experience Hong Kong nightlife. I really wasn't sure where we went; JLo led, all I did was follow. I presume it must've been a place he visited often, the way the hostess and bartenders greeted and talked to him. Two of his buddies, Kevin and Alfred (I think) also showed up. What was left of a bottle of liquor from the last time they came was brought forth and mixed with some cordials.

"You can drink this right?" asked JLo. I had told him I wasn't a fan of the hard stuff, and usually drank beer instead.

"It doesn't taste that strong, I think I can handle it."

Drinking in Hong Kong involves endless rounds of games involving dice and cards. Some required skill, others were just blind luck. Losers made rules, like whoever swore was penalized with a drink, and enforcement was at the discretion of the discretion of whoever came up with it. The decision was final, and so people abused the power, often ordering someone to drink for no reason at all. But it was all good fun.

When the whiskey was gone, buckets of Tsingtao Beer were ordered. Whether it was the liquor, or the Tsingtao was potent, or maybe I just lost too many games, I don't remember, but I got really hammered. By the time we moved on to the next establishment, I could barely sit up straight.

4:00am rolled around, and it was finally time to go home. Kevin (right), JLo (left), and I climbed into a cab and headed back. Upon entering his apartment, I immediately collapsed on the couch. Last thing I remember before falling asleep? Someone taking a picture of me passing out.

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