I return from Spring Scream, for the third time. It is with a heavy heart that I declare this to be my last and final trip to Kenting for the event. Over the years you have provided me with euphoric, youth and exuberance that has genuinely made being a raging alcoholic worth every moment of existence. However, it's time to hand the baton over to the younger generation, those with more resolve and sturdier serotonin warehouse (see: http://www.sciencealert.com/music-festival-sees-spike-in-mdma-pollution-in-river).
So what brings me back? A buck's party for one of the Hong Kong Originals. Taiwan had to be done. Spring Scream had to be done. And we did it. As with most Spring Screams, the weather was cold, the beach festival had us rugged up in long sleeves and cowering for shelter as we nonchalantly sipped on our Bear Beer. The crowds were thinner this year, perhaps a combination of the inclement weather (it was cold and raining the entire weekend) and the fact that there was a huge music festival the following week.
Majority of the crew landed in Taipei the night before and braved the train ride from Taipei to Kaohsiung. I was one of the fortunate that arrived fresh on Saturday morning and checked into Smokey Joe's, our usual abode for the weekend. That freshness would be long gone by Monday. The weekend, was everything we expected and signed up for.
Except for the debilitating come down that following week. We returned to Hong Kong Monday morning, feeling fresh. 7 km run, followed by a dinner with a friend followed by death. I imagine this is what happens if you were to come off heroin, or to be faced with some life threatening malady. The inability to stomach food, compounded with fevers and headache was agony. Most frustratingly was the physiological rejection of sleep. Five out of the ten participants on the trip had developed these symptoms. I was one of the five.
Collectively, we took sick leave and willed on the sleep only to drift in and out of REM. We concocted a cocktail of herbal teas, tart cherry extracts and melatonin supplements but the sleep never came. Some of us, so concerned had taken the liberty to see their local physician only to be told that all their vitals "Looked OK" and that they "just needed rest". Four days later, I'm sleeping again. What a trip.
Currently reading: "Tools of Titans"
Majority of the crew landed in Taipei the night before and braved the train ride from Taipei to Kaohsiung. I was one of the fortunate that arrived fresh on Saturday morning and checked into Smokey Joe's, our usual abode for the weekend. That freshness would be long gone by Monday. The weekend, was everything we expected and signed up for.
Except for the debilitating come down that following week. We returned to Hong Kong Monday morning, feeling fresh. 7 km run, followed by a dinner with a friend followed by death. I imagine this is what happens if you were to come off heroin, or to be faced with some life threatening malady. The inability to stomach food, compounded with fevers and headache was agony. Most frustratingly was the physiological rejection of sleep. Five out of the ten participants on the trip had developed these symptoms. I was one of the five.
Collectively, we took sick leave and willed on the sleep only to drift in and out of REM. We concocted a cocktail of herbal teas, tart cherry extracts and melatonin supplements but the sleep never came. Some of us, so concerned had taken the liberty to see their local physician only to be told that all their vitals "Looked OK" and that they "just needed rest". Four days later, I'm sleeping again. What a trip.
Currently reading: "Tools of Titans"
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