My friend Roland was checking with me if I wanted to join his group this Sunday. Roland was one of a kind. I knew him through my running partner Lily. I followed him and did my first coast-steering earlier this year. He organized an outdoor group among his friends almost every Sunday. All his activities were raw, adventurous and uncommon. His group was one of my most anticipated groups looking to join in Hong Kong. Of course, I told him yes.
“Sure, love. Will add you in the whatsup group.” Roland replied.
This time we will do stream hiking. We hiked following the longest waterfall in Hong Kong. It was a great way to escape the heat — just sat down in the chilly and refreshing water whenever you felt too hot. I met Natalie in the group. She was a tall and beautiful Russian girl. We hiked together ahead of the rest of the people. Another feature of Roland’s group was there were always a lot of beautiful women. Not average beautiful, but model beautiful. I was among a few exceptions who has never been a model or a dancer in my life. I used to think those girls just had beautiful faces. But when I met a few of them in Roland’s group, like Natalie, I found them fun and kind. If I were a guy, I for sure will choose those long-leg, blond and gorgeous ladies.
The group was moving at a brisk pace. Roland reminded people to not put feet on rocks covered with moss. When we needed to do a steep climb by the waterfall, he would show us to not hold branches of trees as they were not very reliable. One great thing that I enjoyed Roland’s group was that he would always push me to explore beyond the boundaries. A father of two, Roland, however, was not someone who would hold your hands, watch your steps or simply tell you “no need to do it — it’s a bit dangerous”. He quickly showed you the ropes and told you “it’s pretty easy” in the end. When I had cold feet standing on a 4-meter high rock hesitating whether to jump to another rock half a meter away, Roland was getting impatient, “Just jump. You can do it.” I calmed myself and reminded me I wouldn’t think twice if the jump was on the ground level — it’s purely in my mind. And Roland knew everyone’s ability. If he thought I can do it, I certainly can do it. I had a deep breath and jumped to the other side. “yeah!” Natalie was clapping for me in the front.
We reached to a little pool on the way to the very top of the waterfall. We sat down in the water and overlooked the view down under. There were two new members to Roland’s crew were still in the back. “They are just not fit.” Roland was unhappy that the group got slowed down. For people who didn’t know Roland, they may find him not too friendly. But that’s exactly who he was. He was direct, honest and no bullshitting. He had a strict rule to blacklist people from his outing if they flaked two or three times. This was a rarely strong stance in a city plagued by flaky culture. Once a girl sent a message to the group chat 5 minutes before the meet-up time and asked if the group can wait for her for 15 minutes. Roland simply replied one word, “No.” I jokingly asked him if he was a bit scary to that poor girl. Roland meant every work he said, “No dictating me.”
Lily was missing Roland’s group for a while. The only time we two came together Lily was sleeping the whole time on Jamie’s boat. I was forever amazed by the fact that she can make a heavy drinking life style compatible with an ultra runner life style.
Cynthia was my another running partner whose schedule was more reliable for me to reach out to make a running plan together. We only ran short distance together. We knew each other for a while but only became closer recently. Before she changed to her current job and met Matt, she was unhappy. Each time we talked, I felt she was not there. She never asked questions and kept talking about herself. Things changed after her life was on track. Caring and helpful like my every good friend in Hong Kong, Cynthia was like a completely new person. When we talked about my job hunting while running on the Morning Trail, Cynthia said, “If I turned down every job that I didn’t want to do, I would never have my current job.” I didn’t say anything and of course didn’t tell Cynthia I just turned down an offer. Cynthia paused and continued, “But I have a different situation. I need to pay back my university debt. I must have income every month.” I had my own difficulties too, but I decided to hang there a little longer. If I already knew what I wanted, why not go to get it directly? We can always settle for option B. But it’s not the time yet, for me.
The day before I came for the stream hiking, I signed my tenancy contract. I was almost certain I would move out of Sai Ying Pun as the rent kept moving up in this neighborhood. The whole story was a drama but in the end I found one on High Street and will live there for at least two years.
Well, I was back to Sai Ying Pun, like I never left.