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Twenty. One of those ages where you act now and think later. One of those ages where everything’s an adventure. The age of ‘Sure! I’ll give that a go!’ And that was my age when I stepped of the 12hr flight from Manchester and was promptly greeted by a cardboard cut-out of Jackie Chan saying ‘Welcome to Hong Kong!” A fine layer of sweat suddenly hit me. It could be either attributed to the humidity that engulfed me as I left the cool air conditioning of the airplane or to panic as I heard my inner voice saying to me What are you doing?! This was my first solo trip aboard. This was my first trip to Asia and in that moment, overstimulated by so many unfamiliar sounds, sights and smells, I couldn’t work out if I needed a vodka, a cup of tea, my mum or possibly all three. Let’s do this! This wide eyed, too tall blonde was now walking with purpose towards Passport Control. Onward to the baggage hall with bags in hand I made my way to the exit where my two new colleagues were waiting for me. Did I forget to mention what I was doing there? I was heading for a six-month work experience stint for University. They met me with a smile and a handshake, took my bags and bundled me onto the train headed straight for the Star Ferry and Hong Kong island. Hong Kong remains one of my favourite places to visit. I believe that you don’t need to look too far to find the good, the bad and the very, very ugly as well as the past, present and future. There is no other place quite like it. When I arrived it was late, hot and humid. I recall seeing fellow ‘gweilo’ stood on the ferry, sweating so much it had soaked through his shirt and beige linen jacket. What is this place?! As we left the ferry, heading to our hotel for the night, the skies opened and it began to rain. As the heavy drops hit the pavement, people ran for cover and the dried, preserved smells of the city emerged. Rotting food one minute and jasmine heavy the next, it was a far cry from the streets I’d left behind in the UK. Tired, a little disorientated but keen to explore, I took up an offer for dinner and a quick introductory tour to what would become my new backyard. The term ‘hustle and bustle’ was made for cities like this – cities with money that never sleep. A sleek, yellow Lamborghini pulled up beside the boxy red taxi we had jumped into. I vividly remember thinking – whoa! how much would that cost?! Quickly followed by – why would you buy one to drive 25mph everywhere in this bumper to expensive bumper traffic?! I was soon to find out. The next morning, jet lagged and ready for adventure, I took a taxi early out of the city with the intention of walking the trails through Aberdeen National Park, up the back of ‘The Peak’, to witness the iconic view over the city. As I waited patiently for my guide on the road side of the Hong Kong Cricket Club, the sun began to rise. I looked down the hill that I had driven up, towards a low humming sound getting louder on approach. It was the headlights I saw first as an armada of uber cars, moved smoothly towards me, surging forward in that luxury horsepower way. Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Mclaren – all the ladies were there, heading out on their early gallop around an island yet to wake up and slow them down. So surreal and no one to tell! That’s when it dawned on me. It was 2000 and I was twenty on an adventure with no one to slow me down. I knew I needed to remember every moment. Did I ever think I would be here, experiencing the other side of the world like this? No! Had I ever dreamed it would be like this and was I ready as I prepared to take a leap into the unknown? Only time would tell.