Mean people keeping me from horse racing

[Merlinsky]

Okay I need sympathy. I'm with a group of folks travelling to Vietnam and Hong Kong for business meetings and tours and stuff. My roommate is a friend of mine who frankly is being a bum but nevermind that. I can understand jet lag, just get off your duff for the few nights we're here cuz we paid a lot.

Anyway, we're in Hong Kong now, I saw the bloody racetrack from afar, and of course the roommate's barely interested in the track but the real kicker is this other woman who is just PETA enough to get mad about using animals for entertainment. She got upset and refused to ride a cart behind some donkeys in Vietnam too. Didn't lecture anyone, just didn't ride the cart and walked instead. Now I can't get her to come to the track and if she doesn't go, my roommate doesn't want to go, ergo I don't go. Foreign country I just got into a few hours ago and only just now am free to go where I want to--I can't justify going out by myself. I also don't like missing out on the stuff they have planned otherwise.

I am listening to the race audio on my computer now while I wait for them to change. I need a hug. This blows.

[Danzig]

not quite sure why you don't go by yourself if you have free time. that's what i would do.

[joeydb]

Me too. I wouldn't miss Hong Kong racing if I were there.

[Merlinsky]

I'd really rather not explain without giving up personal info, it's just really unwise to go alone. Takes too long to explain. Also, as I said, my friends are gonna be good to hang out with, I don't wanna miss that.

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

I'd really rather not explain without giving up personal info, it's just really unwise to go alone. Takes too long to explain. Also, as I said, my friends are gonna be good to hang out with, I don't wanna miss that.

Perhaps a reliable escort staying at the motel ?

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

Perhaps a reliable escort staying at the motel ?

Now that you mention it, someone did mention an escort (this guy on the street) but I'm fairly certain it was an Eliot Spitzer-esque situation. I should've taken the brochure as a souvenir.

All the anxiety about going to the track turned out to be for naught. I'd eaten not long before I posted about wanting to go, now I have food poisoning. See? Total karma for me not growing a pair. This is what I get for not remembering to tell them I didn't want ice in my drink--for the integrity of HK's honor, I should say the point of origin was a lunch in Vietnam, which has lovely people, good food, and crappy water. Right now I just have stomach pain, let's hope the (rhymes with schmiarrhea) doesn't return. I feel like crap in a very literal sense.

I know our guide said they also have racing on Sunday but that's when we leave to come back so no dice. Anything doable on a non-racing day that I could try to fit in? We have lots of meetings, it's gonna be hard but if there's anything good I'll make an effort.

[Stickhorse]

I hope they have some VERY INTERESTING other stuff planned because we all know how great it is visiting a new track. We would all love to visit the track in Hong Kong. The racing there is suppose to be some of the very best.

Racing does not appeal to many people. I could not fill my bus outing from work to Santa Anita just recently, sadly there was scant interest.....we all know it was their loss. There are times when racing buddies are busy and you must visit the track on ones own.

You don't need a hug you need a kick in the behind to grab a cab for the track.

[South Beach Luv]

I think it was that track that Anthony Bourdain was at on his 'No Reservations' show - looked fun as hell, I would go solo if at all possible.

[tector]

Jesus, grow a sack already.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Okay I need sympathy. I'm with a group of folks travelling to Vietnam and Hong Kong for business meetings and tours and stuff. My roommate is a friend of mine who frankly is being a bum but nevermind that. I can understand jet lag, just get off your duff for the few nights we're here cuz we paid a lot.

Anyway, we're in Hong Kong now, I saw the bloody racetrack from afar, and of course the roommate's barely interested in the track but the real kicker is this other woman who is just PETA enough to get mad about using animals for entertainment. She got upset and refused to ride a cart behind some donkeys in Vietnam too. Didn't lecture anyone, just didn't ride the cart and walked instead. Now I can't get her to come to the track and if she doesn't go, my roommate doesn't want to go, ergo I don't go. Foreign country I just got into a few hours ago and only just now am free to go where I want to--I can't justify going out by myself. I also don't like missing out on the stuff they have planned otherwise.

I am listening to the race audio on my computer now while I wait for them to change. I need a hug. This blows.

Oh my God I'm dying reading this. I can't imagine being in Hong Kong and being in your postition, poor baby!

I am sending you the biggest damned hug, I swear!

Sunday is the Hong Kong Mile... it's really a shame you can't stay an extra day.

In a show of solidarity I am now completely depressed for your sake.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Oh my God I'm dying reading this. I can't imagine being in Hong Kong and being in your postition, poor baby!

I am sending you the biggest damned hug, I swear!

Sunday is the Hong Kong Mile... it's really a shame you can't stay an extra day.

In a show of solidarity I am now completely depressed for your sake.

Aw thanks, I appreciate the support everybody. Still suffering from what I'm calling "Ho Chi Minh's Revenge" but it's controllable to a point. I lost a day of excursions basically beyond our meetings today, but I think we're doing Macau tomorrow as a group. My bowels aren't being 100% cooperative, but I won't crap myself on the ferry thanks to some amount of self-control. I just need frequent bathroom breaks. I held my supper down successfully thus far. The wine might've helped. I figured it would either help me feel better or not care that I felt bad. When I heard about Sunday being the next big race day it just about made me ill again. I am determined to get a good view of the track but my great plan of going and taking pictures for everybody probably won't work out. I got some blurry ones as we went by.

My big goal in life, as awesome as this is, is to go to Melbourne Cup day. Okay maybe I want to do other things, but seriously I'd put that right up there. I suppose I should keep the illness-in-Hong-Kong situation under perspective. I got to listen to races on the internet though and discovered my hotel had a racing channel. All was not entirely lost. Now I shall drag myself back into bed momentarily. Must make it to Macau without causing an international intestinal incident.

[Left Bank]

You're gonna love Macau! Bring lots of money! and the ride there is fun too!If you can,how bout a few pics from Victoria Peak??

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

My big goal in life, as awesome as this is, is to go to Melbourne Cup day. Okay maybe I want to do other things, but seriously I'd put that right up there. I suppose I should keep the illness-in-Hong-Kong situation under perspective. I got to listen to races on the internet though and discovered my hotel had a racing channel. All was not entirely lost. Now I shall drag myself back into bed momentarily. Must make it to Macau without causing an international intestinal incident.

Now there's a Derby Trail field trip if ever I saw one...

Glad you're feeling a little bit better, anyway. Your attitude has certainly been awesome, under really crummy circumstances! Hope Macau is a great day.

[Riot]

Make sure you take PETA person to a local food market outside of downtown. That'll do

Hope you do get to see the course! I'd go alone, in a minute! This is what your front desk concierge arranges for you - do it, chance of a lifetime!

[GenuineRisk]

Merlinsky, I'm so sorry about the water poisoning and the kerfuffle over the track. What a bummer. Also shaking my head over a lady who doesn't want to ride in a donkey cart. I guess she preferred getting a lungfull of dirty exhaust from the motos? Sigh.

I'm glad to hear Vietnam was nice, other than the ice. I've been to Cambodia, which is also lovely (my dad got sick from the water in Cambodia- same thing; he forgot to say "no ice" on his final day there- he was sick the whole plane ride home). Hope to see Vietnam someday.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Merlinsky, I'm so sorry about the water poisoning and the kerfuffle over the track.

Kerfuffle?

Little Britain?

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Kerfuffle?

Little Britain?

What? I love "kerfuffle"!

I haven't seen very much of Little Britain, though I admit to being a Tom Baker fan.

[Danzig]

hope you're feeling better today merlinsky...

[santana]

Simply put....f your friends that wont go...you are missing out BIG TIME.
Probably enough Americans or Englishmen to hook up with , inside the Joint.

[asudevil]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Okay I need sympathy. I'm with a group of folks travelling to Vietnam and Hong Kong for business meetings and tours and stuff. My roommate is a friend of mine who frankly is being a bum but nevermind that. I can understand jet lag, just get off your duff for the few nights we're here cuz we paid a lot.

Anyway, we're in Hong Kong now, I saw the bloody racetrack from afar, and of course the roommate's barely interested in the track but the real kicker is this other woman who is just PETA enough to get mad about using animals for entertainment. She got upset and refused to ride a cart behind some donkeys in Vietnam too. Didn't lecture anyone, just didn't ride the cart and walked instead. Now I can't get her to come to the track and if she doesn't go, my roommate doesn't want to go, ergo I don't go. Foreign country I just got into a few hours ago and only just now am free to go where I want to--I can't justify going out by myself. I also don't like missing out on the stuff they have planned otherwise.

I am listening to the race audio on my computer now while I wait for them to change. I need a hug. This blows.

Would she settle for a different "ride" back in your room? I'm sure that wouldn't interfere with her PETA ways.