My first visit to Hong Kong was in May 2012. I was staying at a hostel-esque place in Tsim Sha Tsui, that, like many accommodation options in the area, was located in a large building. My accommodation only occupied one floor - level twelve - with the other levels reserved for private dwellings and other hotels. The ground floor was filled with an array of shops and market stalls: everything from jewellery to cheap eats. I'd dare say the accurate term for the area was 'run down'; but nevertheless, it was a place to sleep, it was central and it was cheap.
One morning I woke up in desperate need of water. I wearily wandered in my pajamas to the reception desk on the same floor at about 7:30am, only to find it closed. Never mind, I figured, I'd just go back to the room, get changed and head downstairs to 7-Eleven.
Now, the place I was staying at was a bit odd. There was a large steel gate that blocked off a certain area, almost like the bars of a jail cell. You had to swipe your card to get into the corridor of your jail cell, which then broke into about 4-5 rooms. The jail cell bars to my area were almost never closed as there were always people in and out (the two rooms that occupied either end of the hallway knew each other and constantly had loud cross-corridor conversations with their doors open).
I emphasize the "almost never" part and also the fact that I had just wandered out of the room, walked five metres to reception, realised it was closed, then made my way back to the entrance of the jail cell within about 30 seconds.
It was closed.
And just my luck, I didn't have my room card with me.
In an ideal situation, the main corridor would lead directly to the rooms. But nope, your area was barricaded by bars, essentially holding your prisoner.
Or in this case, keeping me out.
So there I was, 7:30am, stranded in a sense in the hotel/hostel/jail. Reception didn't open until 8am. I didn't have my phone on me to call someone to open the door. I slumped down on a chair in the hallway, clutching the loose change I had bought with me to buy water. I figured I'd only have to wait half an hour max until someone came to reception so I could get some water (and, you know, maybe get let back into my room).
Lo and behold, the above mentioned people (the loud chatterboxes from my jail cell area) had come along and released the gates of forbidden territory with their trusty swipe card. Why they were wandering around so early in the morning, I'll never know.
Back in my room, swapped my pajama shorts for something more appropriate and this time made sure to take my phone. Still clutching my coins, I made my way down to the ground level and around the corner to the 7-Eleven.
So much effort just for water. #firstworldproblems
I made my way back into the building, water in tow. I shuffled through the shady-looking stores which were still closed, barred by rusty, wonky shutters.
"Hello?"
I heard someone shout something, but I ignored it and continued shuffling towards the elevator.
"Hello, friend?" "Friend, hello!"
By now I had realised that a man was following me through the building. He was some distance away, but nevertheless trying to grab my attention.
"Hello!"
I paused.
"Hi" I muffled angrily, continuing to walk away.
By that time my light stroll had turned into a brisk power-walk away from this weirdo who had nothing better to do than float around closed stores at 8 o'clock in the morning.
I should mention that the building had two sets of elevators. One was closed off during a certain time and each set only had one elevator that serviced the twelfth floor. Of the eight elevators in the building, I could only take one.
I turned a corner into the elevator service area and frantically pushed the button to call for my elevator. I kept my eyes forward, hoping the guy wouldn't find me. I saw him walk past the corridor I was in before noticing me and turning around, into my corridor.
I was cornered. Oh gosh, no. I thought I was going to be killed.
I continued looking forward, waiting for my elevator to arrive.
"Hello, friend?"
I ignored him.
"...Sex?"
What. The. Hell.
"NO!" I replied with disgust.
Thankfully my elevator arrived at that moment and I ran in, pounding the 'close door' button and hoping that he wouldn't follow me in. He simply stood there as the doors closed slowly and I ascended back up to the twelfth floor and into the safety of my jail cell.
All that hassle just for a bottle of water.
Whew.
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