Hong Kong

Hong Kong      
          When we arrived we exchanged our Yuan for Hong Kong dollars and jumped on a bullet train to Hong Kong.   We decided to find a hostel rite away so we could drop our bags off.  This turned into a challenge.  The part of the city we were in was described as a backpacker’s paradise in our Lonely Planet travel guide.  The streets were lined with small markets selling electronics and little tourist trinkets.  People handing out pamphlets and selling fake Rolexes would follow us for blocks.  We were young, American, and all had backpacks, that definitely caught their attention and raised their hopes that we might buy something from them.  Walking down the street we passed dingy bars and shops that were directly next to fancy restaurants.  It was strange there was such a mix of stores and restaurants all in the same area.                                                           
        We eventually found a hostel, the Garden Hostel.  This place was on the third floor of a huge, very old, falling apart building.  There were cats and dumpsters in the hallways.  I can’t even begin to describe the smells.  Parts of the building were open to the outside weather, breeze, and cats.  I don’t know if that was on purpose, but it looked like the building was just falling apart and people set up camp in it.  Laundry was strung about and people were cooking strange food in the courtyard where the dumpsters were.  All in all it was a strange, situation.  I think it was 50-70 Hong Kong dollars each, so about 7-10 USD.  Our room had a pair of dilapidated bunk beds with extremely thin pads to sleep on, no sheets, and no blankets.  Once again there was no heat, but it was worse because the windows were breezy.  Also, there was a toilet in the shower.  You get what you pay for.  That night I slept in every piece of clothing I had including my socks and sneakers. 
        We all dropped off our backpacks and went out for the night.  I brought my passport and camera, the only important things from my backpack.  We went to dinner in a nice restaurant.  I noticed in China, Cambodia, and Vietnam, when sausage is on a menu it basically means hot dog.  After dinner we took a sightseeing ride on Star Ferry.  There was a light show going on.  All the buildings were lit up with pictures and lasers.  Maybe when I get to Chennai tomorrow I can put up some pictures.  After the ferry we went to an Irish pub, in Hong Kong.  Inside it was just as if we were back in the states.  Hong Kong is a very diverse city.  Walking down the sidewalk you see people of all types speaking many different languages.  This wasn’t so in Shanghai, or Japan.  We walked around the city for hours that night.  We were in an area with small shops and dingy bars.  So we were really surprised when we saw a Ferrari parked on the street.  After staring at the Ferrari we turned the corner and found a guy passed out on the sidewalk. 
        He was about 20 and had clearly passed out from drinking, judging by the pile of puke a few feet away.  He was laying flat on his back strait as a board with his arms crossed, feet pointing strait up, and head back facing strait up.  Just laying like that all by himself at 2 in the morning.  So we decided to try to wake him up and see if he was all right.  It wasn’t working at all, so I suggest we roll him on his side incase he pukes again.  We were looking for someone who would call an ambulance or something, because none of us have phones.  Trying to wake him, we lifted up his eyelids.  His eyeballs were almost completely rolled back into his head.  He seemed completely comatose.  James, who’s from London, decided that judging by the brands of his clothing, and the fact that he was passed out all by himself on the sidewalk in Hong Kong, that he was definitely British.  The kid finally woke up and jumped to his feet.  We asked where are you staying tonight, he says London, in a British accent.  We say no, you’re in Hong Kong, where are you sleeping tonight, he again says very loud and clear London!  He then starts walking down the sidewalk, stumbling about.  We follow him for a bit making sure he gets across the street all right.  There was nothing else we could do, he kept saying no when we offered help.  We eventually made our way back to our hostel around 3 in the morning. 
        We woke up Saturday morning, took the Star Ferry, and went up to Victoria Peak.  There is a beautiful view of the city from the top.  There are a few restaurants and tourist shops up there.  We sat and had a smoothie while enjoying the Hong Kong skyline.  We walked on a path through the woods on the peak.  After an hour or two of hiking along the path we took the shuttle back down the mountain.  We jumped into a cab and couldn’t believe what we saw.  The kid from the night before was walking down the sidewalk, still alone, but at least he made it through the night. 
        Our goal for the day was to find a different Hostel.  We found a very nice one with heat, mattresses and blankets.  We went to a street that our travel guide suggested to go; I wish I could remember the name.  We met two guys from Montreal and they showed us around for a while.  They took us to a Russian ice bar.  We all wore huge fur coats that the bar had.  We also met people from Spain and Nigeria.  The street was insanely crowded with people. I guess it was the place to be on a Saturday night in Hong Kong. 
        We had another late morning.  By that time the ship had made it to Hong Kong, so we went back “home” to shower and meet up with people who had traveled on the ship.  I’m so happy we traveled independently to Honk Kong.  We got two extra days there.  My Cambodia and Vietnam post will be up later today, hopefully.