Mike Hurst was a musician. Tall with long dark brown hair and blue eyes, he looked every inch of the Irish folk musicians on the road was. He had to sell his advertising job in London to stop when he was approaching thirty and traveled around the world playing music in restaurants, bars, on street corners to pay his way.
During his last trip around Asia, he saw lazed on the beautiful beaches of Bali and Phuket, a rare Balinese funeral, stayed in a longhouse on the crystalWater of Lake Toba, and played his violin for a group of children from a market in Panang, Sumatra. He had crouched in narrow buses while drunk singing off-key Sinatra, slept on the floor of a dirty train between Surabaya and Jakarta, and survived blood poisoning from a mosquito bite finger.
Mike always pack light and only a small backpack with a few changes of clothes, a battered guitar and his hundred year old violin. While in Bali he had a local craftsman him carve aivory bridge, and he'd fashioned a beautiful ebony fingerboard and fixed it to the fiddle himself. His fiddle was the only possession he truly treasured.
One day, this was during the Marcos era, he flew into the Philippines on his way to Japan after a year-long trek through Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Mike stayed a few days in Manila, but the noise, pollution and frantic pace soon had him on the move. He headed north on a Rabbit bus and ended up in Baguio. Five Thousand meters high in the mountains, Baguio was a picturesque town of steep hills, a large open market, through mysterious wooded hills of pine trees look around.
He had the good fortune to meet a local Filipino named Nino, who heard him singing in a café on the day after his arrival. Nino asked him to sing at his pub in the middle of the city, gave him a small but adequate salary, and a rustic old house in the mountains to stay in.
Mike has in the old house. EachMorning he would wake up and breathe the pine-scented air and the view across the valley from the window of his bedroom. The view was spectacular. Smoke rose from the chimneys of the few houses further down the valley, the valley looked like a scene from a Chinese brush painting.
Sure, there was no hot water. He had to bathe in the icy water from the rainwater tank pulled behind the house. That was invigorating. And the furniture was minimal, but not suitable, because it does notbelieve in the repression of his life with excess baggage anyway. He had to do a bed to sleep, a roof over their head, a job he loved her too. He was happy.
But life has a funny way of turning the tables on you.
A few months after his arrival in Baguio, he walked a few hundred yards down the hill after Asin, a nice hot water sulfur Spring Resort. It was from another friend he had met in Baguio, so they spent a wonderful day together Downing beers and relaxing in the steamingWater.
To see the afternoon, when he again amazed at his house, he was that it was empty. Everything he owned was gone, and his musical instruments. Everything he did what he was on Luckily, he had his passport, the onward ticket to Tokyo, and a small amount of money, but that was it. Mike was stunned. He immediately called the police and made a report. They promised to try and find the culprits and then went on their way to laugh together.
Mike recognized herwere not much to do. Finally, he was a stranger, and he had lost money, some clothes and his musical instruments. Hardly worth mentioning. But he wanted his violin back, if possible. So he began to inquire among his friends and soon heard rumors that there was Nino's brother, Nono, responsible for the robbery. He was jealous of Mike and wanted to live in the house itself. But instead of asking politely to move to Mike, he had decided to fill it completely clear, hold,Mike's all possessions in the purchase.
Mike realized that there is no way to prove his suspicions, he bowed to the inevitable and went with some friends in the Peace Corps and sent to Ireland for more money.
Meanwhile, a Filipino friend promised to give him some money when he went out, so that he could afford to eat and pay the rent. Mike managed a cheap guitar that sounds good because the back of the local manufacturers had almost paper thin, shaved to pay. WithThis he continued to play in bars and restaurants to support himself. Despite the occasional work he received, he still had to borrow some money from his friend to buy essential items. It was a difficult time and humiliating.
Two months passed and no money had arrived, he went to Manila to ask his bank to find out where it was. They reported that the money had actually been sent .... to Kuala Lumpur. Obviously thinking of the Irish bank was in the Philippines! An error forgivableMike thought. Finally, they both are in Asia. The bank promised to have transferred the money to his account in Manila, Baguio and wait for Mike back in on them.
Finally, a month later came the money. The first thing he did, the friend who had lent him enough money to survive was repaid. Then it was time to move on.
Although a plane ticket to Japan, he decided to return to England, where he could work and have enough money to continue his travels again in theFuture. So he put out the word to his friends that he is a one-way ticket to sell to Japan. A few nights later calls a Rhodesian Mike Hunt appeared in the cafeteria, where he sang and told Mike he would buy his ticket. When she spoke, recognized that Mike Hunt and James Bond, secret agent obsessed with the movie was. Hunt claimed that he modeled his life on the bond. He tried to speak, act and live like him. It was a strange way to live your life, Mikethought, but it seemed to make Hunt happy.
Mike was thrilled that Hunt wanted to buy his plane ticket, and they made plans in Manila for the next Friday night when they close the deal. Hunt told him he would treat Mike to a free weekend in a 5-star Hotel Manila by the Marcos family. "Do not worry," he told Mike: "I'll pay for everything. And I will also pay for the ticket then."
That sounded like a lot to Mike. He turned on Friday afternoon met Hunt, andThey checked Hunt was looking for a big, heavy suitcase, while Mike was wearing only his little backpack. Before going into the hotel, on the advice of Hunt he had hidden his guitar and the rest of his belongings at a friend where he could pick it up on the way to the airport on Sunday before leaving for Bangkok on the way home. Hunt had told him it was not necessary to carry all his belongings with him to his hotel because he would not need it. Mike later realized why Hunt had advised him to dothis.
That evening she went to the disco in the basement and had a great time. Hunt signed for all beverages. The next day, lounged beside the pool all day after a hearty breakfast. Every time she ordered a drink or food, Hunt signed the bill. Mike reckon it racks up high costs, but to be his new friend did not seem affected. That reassured that Mike Hunt could afford to pay for the ticket. He was, he himeslf are admitted, a little confused as to why Hunt wouldwants to buy his ticket when he obviously afford to buy one from a travel agent, but he just shrugged and was pleased with his luck. Mike was not one to look gift horse in the mouth.
During the night they went down to the disco and dancing until late. Hunt continues to sign for the drinks, including a bevy of girls who flocked around the big spending pair. They had a fun night and rocked up to their rooms when the disco closed at 2 clock They made an appointmentto meet for breakfast at nine clock in the morning so they could check out of the hotel at the time Hunt for his 11.30 flight to Tokyo to catch.
The next morning Mike was awakened by a knock at the door by 8 clock He staggered out of bed and opened it to see Hunt dressed and standing around willing to take.
"What are you doing so early?" Mike indistinct.
"I thought we should clear our business so that we have free time to get to the airport." Hunt responded.
Mike just shrugged hisand said he was in the room, Hunt is to be in five minutes. His mouth was dry and aching head. He was not in a position to ask why Hunt takes so much time to settle the ticket company, but it did not sound good. He went into his bathroom for a quick wash and then went next to the room Hunt hopes to clarify the sale in a few minutes. When he left, he saw Hunt stood there with a big portfolio under his arm. Mike sat down in one of the chairs and then got to the point. "Have youthe money for the ticket? "
"No!" Hunt responded. "That's what I wanted to talk to you."
"What do you mean?" They said they would pay me for the ticket today and now you tell me you do not have the money. Do you expect me just give it to you? " Mike asked, irritated.
"Well, actually you, I would like to trust me, after I get to a job in Tokyo and have enough money to repay you." "Hunt said.
"Sure. So, if you do not have enough money for the ticket, asYou pay for the hotel? "Mike asked.
"Uh, that's another matter. I'm not paying for it. My suitcase was just for show. It is filled with newspapers and a few stones. We just walk out of here this morning."
"What?" Mike exploded. "You want me, you cheat for the price of the ticket and you will trust the hotel into the bargain?" This is not a good basis for establishing the trust is it?
"Wait. Listen, and I'll explain." Hunt said the opening of its bulkyFile. "I have prepared for this trip. I can show you. I have all the ways in which I live cheaply in Japan when I get there listed. I've got lists of cheap guest houses to stay. I have carefully investigated everything and I have also learned the basics of Japanese language in the last 3 months while I was ready. I can a good job as an English teacher up there and back on its feet within a few months. "Said Hunt.
He showed Mike the contents of its files and went through it.All Hunt said he would need to make sure he could survive in Tokyo was carefully written out in a master plan. Mike was not impressed.
"Look, you got me just an accessory to fraud, unknowingly to the hotel. There's no way I'm going to give you the ticket without being paid."
In this, Hunt broke into tears and begged, but Mike was certain. No money, no ticket.
Hunt does not see his tears, but he continued pleading some more, and Mike began to feelSorry for him. So finally, he pointed to Hunt expensive Nikon camera and said, "Give me your camera as a security and I will give you the ticket. You can use the camera if you are charged to recover the money."
First I tried to say no, Mr. Hunt, because he claimed he would have the camera in Japan, but eventually he saw that Mike would not part with the ticket unless he handed over the camera.
"Well, it's just another thing you have to do for me." Hunt went on. "You have to go to the airportwith me this morning. I have already researched the airport and hotel check-in procedures. If it is a problem that you wrote with a boarding pass with your name on her hand, she did not ask to see your card again. So you need to check with me to the airport and then we will change your name to me on the boarding pass. It is even easier than I thought, since our names are so similar. "
Meanwhile, Mike realized that he would go along with Hunt. He did not have enoughMoney to cover the hotel bill. Imelda Marcos could not afford to get it cut for them, so he packed his few belongings into his backpack, slung it over his back and both marched up to the lobby and out the door. One of the security guards of the hotel saw them in common, probably because Mike seemed nervous, but he has not tried to stop them. Once they were away Mike let out a deep sigh of relief, and they drove to the airport.
Mike checking in for the flight to Tokyo to deliverthe boarding pass, Hunt changed the name and then headed for the departure area. Everything seemed smooth.
Mike turned away and thought that he would never see his money or Hunt again. But he was mistaken.
Mike went into his friend's house to fetch the rest of his gang and then he headed back to the airport for his 4 pm flight to Bangkok. When he arrived, he walked up to the check-in desk and presented his ticket. The writer, who was on duty in The morning was still there. He saw himself with a jerk.
"But .... but you went to Tokyo this morning. What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Oh, I changed my mind and decided to go to Bangkok instead. It's so boring in Tokyo." Mike answered casually.
The clerk shook her head, filled out the boarding pass and then handed it to him.
"He had a good trip. I hope you make it this time."
"Thanks." Said Mike, headed for the departure area.
It increased in> Thailand and a week that will change his life.
This week in Bangkok was a blur. Mike spent almost exclusively on the Mississippi Queen in Patpong. Every night he would party with the girls in the bar he was a ball, but on Friday he knew he would become even better organized for the flight to London the next day. And he cried Ben, recommended a local Filipino businessman Hunt, he had to call to try and cash for his ticket to Tokyo. Hunt had stated that he used toWork for Ben Hunt, and he still owes money on advertising revenues an order he made.
Ben agreed to meet Mike, and they made an appointment for 11 clock Mike emerged looking taken, but hope he would recover the money for the ticket.
As he sat down and the situation said Ben exploded in a huge laugh.
"Give a little money from the account of Hunt's Mike?" he yelled. "What account?" Even if I owe to him, not sure I have no money to give, it would be for you. The manwas crazy with all that talk about James Bond, and he's obviously still crazy. "
Mike had been expecting something like that, he was not too disappointed. And he still had Hunt's Camera. But it annoyed him that Hunt had played for a fool.
Ben asked Mike what he did when he was no music playing.
"I used to sell advertising for publications in London."
"Are you good at?" Ben asked.
"Sure, I make a lot of money."
"Why do not you work for me?" WeGuide published. I'm sure you could do very well selling advertising in them. "Said Ben.
Ben showed Mike the magazines he published, and said, after some discussion about the salary and conditions of Mike, he would have to think about how it confirms a ticket for the flight to London the next day.
Ben told him to call again later when he decided to stay.
Mike returned to the Hotel Malaysia, where he was staying and sat on the bed and thought about his situation. HereHe was in the land of the three Hots: Hot weather, hot food and hot women. Life can be so good here. He was offered a permanent job, and everything was so cheap that there would be no trouble.
When he went to London, he would have to completely start over. He was gone so long, he probably had no friends there anymore. He had no work, the weather was cold, the food was lousy, and the economy was on the ropes. That was before Thatcher came into the land form. The decision was notdifficult. He picked up the phone and called Ben.
Mike also worked at the magazine. He helped improve the circulation and the magazine design, and it increases the monthly advertising revenue significantly. He was happy with the time of his life.
Then, one day Ben called Mike in his office and because Hunt was sitting with a big shit-eating grin on his face. Mike was surprised and pleased. It looked like he finally his money back from Hunt.
As if he read Mike's thoughts,Hunt took a roll of money from his pocket and promptly paid for the ticket. Mike went out and got Hunt's camera and handed it over. Hunt thanked him and said: "Bond would have done the same. It was just the thing for a gentleman to do, you do not know?"
Mike's good fortune continues, soon after Hunt had to pay him when he ran into a German traveler, who also played violin on the streets the year before achieved. Klaus was there in an accident and lost the use of his hands,He could not play anymore. After hearing Mike's story Klaus gave him his old violin, and told him he was glad it was someone who would make good use of it.
Nobody had more pleased than Mike at this happy ending. He has remained in Thailand until the present day, and sometimes he thinks back on the bizarre manner in which he finished in this exotic and exciting part of the world. You never know what is the life to throw you, is not it?
So one day when yougo to a bar somewhere and see an old man with the game of his life on the stage, you can only strive to Mike. Buy him a beer and asks him if he has some interesting stories about his travels.
