Mike Hurst was a musician. Tall with long dark brown hair and blue eyes, he looked every inch the traveling Irish folk musician he was. He'd quit his job in London selling advertising when he approached thirty traveled around the world of music in restaurants, bars, on street corners, to pay their way.
During his last trip to Asia, I would be lazed on the beautiful beaches of Bali and Phuket, I saw very few Balinese Funeral, remained in a long house with crystal-clear waters of Lake Toba, and played his violin for a bunch of children out of the market in Panang, Sumatra . I would be crouched in cramped buses while drunks Sinatra crooned off-key songs, slept on the floor, dirty train between Jakarta and Surabaya, and survived blood poisoning from a mosquito-bitten finger.
Mike has always traveled light, only a small backpack with a few changes of clothes, battered guitar and his one hundred years old fiddle. While in Bali, the local master carve ivory him most, he would have fashioned a beautiful ebony fingerboard and fixed to the violin itself. His fiddle was the only possession he truly treasured.
One day, it was during the Marcos era, he flew to the Philippines on the way to Japan, after many years of travel through Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Mike stayed a few days in Manila, but the noise, pollution and the frantic pace, it soon on the move. He led the North Rabbit bus and ended up in Baguio. Five thousand feet high in the mountains, Baguio is a picturesque town of steep hills, large open-air market, surrounded by wooded hills, covered in mysterious looking fir.
He was lucky to meet local Filipino called Nino, who heard him singing in a bar a day after he arrived. Nino, he was asked to sing at his pub in the heart of the city, gave him a small but adequate salary, a rustic old house in the hills to stay in.
Mike liked to live in an old house. Every morning he would wake up and breathe in the pine-scented air and look across the valley from his bedroom window. the view is spectacular. Smoke curled from the chimney of a few houses farther down the valley, the valley looks like a scene from a Chinese brush painting.
Of course, there was no hot water. He had to bathe in icy water drawn from the rainwater tank behind the house. It was refreshing. And furniture was minimal, but it suits him, because he does not believe the effect of his life with excess baggage anyway. He had a bed to sleep in, a roof over their heads, a job he loved to do. He was happy.
No, life has a funny way to the tables on you.
A few months after he arrived in Baguio went to a couple thousand feet down the mountain to Asin, the beautiful sulfur hot spring resort. It is run by another friend that I met in Baguio, and spent a pleasant day together downing a beer and relax in the steaming waters.
That afternoon when he returned to his home he was astonished to see that it was empty. Everything is owned is gone, including their musical instruments. Everything was what we stood up in. Luckily, he had his passport, a ticket to his future Tokyo, a small amount of money, but that's it. Mike was stunned. He immediately called police and made a report. They have promised to try to find the culprit, and then went on their way to laugh with each other.
Mike realized that they will not do much about it. After all, he is a foreigner and he lost some money, clothes and a few of his musical instruments. Hardly worth bothering about. But he wanted his violin back if possible. So he started making inquiries among his friends and soon heard rumors that Nino's brother, Nona, was responsible for the robbery. Mike was jealous and wanted to live in the house itself. But instead of politely asking Mike to move that I'd decided to sell out completely, taking all of Mike's possessions into the bargain.
Mike realized that there was no way to prove their suspicions, so he gave the inevitable and moved with some friends who work in the Peace Corps and sent to Ireland for more money.
Meanwhile, another Filipino friend promised to lend him some money if he ran short so he could afford to eat and pay his rent. Mike was able to pay for a cheap guitar that sounded good, because the local machine had shaved back almost paper thin. Using this, he continued playing in local bars and restaurants to support himself. Despite occasional work got was still borrow some money from his friend to buy the bare basics. It was a difficult and humbling time.
two months ago and got no money, so he went to Manila to ask your bank to find out where. They reported that the money had indeed been sent .... in Kuala Lumpur. Apparently, the Irish Bank thought that the Philippines! forgivable mistake, Mike thought. After all, they both are in Asia. Bank has promised to have the money transferred to his account in Manila, and Mike returned to Baguio to wait for it.
Finally, another month later, the money arrived. The first thing he did was return the friend who lent him enough money to survive on. Then it was time to move on.
Although the air ticket to Japan has decided to return to Britain where he could work and earn enough money to continue their journey again in the future. So, he put the word around your friends that way ticket to Japan for sale. A few nights later Rhodesian calling himself Mike Hunt appeared in a coffee shop, where he was singing and Mike wanted to buy his air ticket. While they talked, Mike realized that Hunt was obsessed with James Bond, secret agent film. Hunt claimed that his life is modeled on the Bond. He tried to speak, act and live like him. It was a strange way to live your life, Mike thought, but it seemed to make Hunt happy.
Mike was elated that Hunt wanted to buy his air ticket, and they have plans to meet in Manila next Friday night, where he will finish the job. Hunt told him that Mike will be treated to a free weekend in a 5-star hotel owned by the Marcos family of Manila. "Do not worry, " said Mike, "I'll pay for everything. I'll pay for air tickets then too ."
This sounded like a good deal for Mike. He turned up on Friday afternoon, he met Hunt, and they checked in. Hunt was wearing a heavy looking suitcase, while Mike was wearing only his little backpack. Before leaving the hotel, at Hunt's advice, he'd stashed his guitar and the rest of his belongings at a friend's place where he could pick on the way to the airport on Sunday before flying to Bangkok on the way home. Hunt told him there was no need to carry all his equipment with him at the hotel, because he would not have to be. Mike only realized later on why Hunt had advised him to do so.
That night they went down to the disco in the basement and had a great time. Hunt signed for all drinks. The next day they lazed by the pool all day after a sumptuous breakfast. Every time they order a drink or food, Hunt signed into law. Mike counted are racking up a substantial bill, but his new friend did not appear to be concerned. This assured that Mike Hunt could not afford to pay for air ticket. He was, he admitted that himeslf, a little mystified why Hunt would like to buy your ticket when he obviously could not afford to buy a travel agent, but he just shrugged his shoulders and congratulated himself on his luck. Mike was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
That night they went back down to the disco and dancing until late. Hunt went on to sign for drinks, including those gaggle of girls who flocked around the big spending pair. They had a funny night and staggered to my room when the disco closed at 02:00 They have to meet a date for breakfast at nine o'clock that morning, so you could check into the hotel at the time of the hunt to catch his plane to Tokyo 11.30.
morning, Mike was awakened by knocking on his door at 8 o'clock in the staggered out of bed and opened to see Hunt is dressed and ready for bear.
"What are you doing up so early?" Mike indistinct.
"I thought we should clarify our business, so we have time to spare to get to the airport." Hunt said.
Mike just shrugged and said he would be in the Hunt in the room in five minutes. His mouth was dry and his head ached. He was unable to ask why Hunt takes so long to solve business air tickets, but itthis is not sound good . He went into his bathroom for a quick wash, then went next door to Hunt room, hoping to clear the sale in minutes. When he went to see Hunt standing there with a large folder under his arm. Mike sat in a lounge chair, and then got right to the point. "Did you get the money for a ticket ?"
"No," Hunt said. "This is what I wanted to talk to you about ."
"What do you think? You said that we'll pay for a ticket today and now you're telling me you do not have the money. Do you expect me to just give it away?" Mike demanded irritably.
"Well, actually, I want you to believe me until after I get a job in Tokyo and have made enough money to pay back." Hunt said.
"Oh sure. So, if you do not have enough money for tickets, how much you're paying for the hotel?" Mike asked.
"Er, that's another matter. I'm not paying for it. My suitcase was just for show. It was stuffed with newspaper and a pair of dice. We're just going to walk away from here this morning."
"What?" Mike exploded. "You want to trust you for the ticket price and you'll cheat the hotel into the bargain? It's not a good basis for building trust is to
"Wait. Look here, and I'll explain." Hunt said the opening of its bulky files. "I'm ready for this trip. I can show you. I have listed all the ways they can live cheaply in Japan when I get there. I've got a list of cheap guesthouses to stay in. I've researched everything thoroughly and I have even learned the basics Japanese language in the last 3 months, until I am ready. I can easily get a good job teaching English up there and get back on their feet within a few months. "Hunt said.
showed Mike the contents of your files and go through it. All Hunt said he would need to ensure that he could survive in Tokyo meticulously written in the master plan. Mike was not impressed.
"Well, you've just me unaware of accessories for cheating the hotel. There is no way I'm going to give you an air ticket without getting paid ."
On this, Hunt broke down in tears and prayed, but Mike stood. No money, no ticket.
Hunt saw his tears did not work, but she continued pleading some more, and Mike began to feel sorry for him. So, at the end said that Hunt's expensive Nikon camera and said: "Give me your camera and security, and I'll give you a ticket. You can recover the camera when you return the money ."
At first, Hunt tried to say no, because he claimed to need the camera in Japan, but eventually he saw that Mike would not part with a ticket, unless he handed over the camera.
"Now there's only one thing you must do it for me." Hunt went on. "You have to go to the airport with me this morning. I've been out to the airport but also researched check-in procedures. After you issue a boarding pass with your name handwritten on it do not ask to see your ticket again. so I should go to the airport with me to check-in and then we'll change your name to mine on the boarding pass. It will be even easier than I thought because our names are so similar. "
So far, Mike realized he would have to go along with Hunt. He did not have enough money to cover the hotel bill. Imelda Marcos could not afford to cover it for them, so he packed up his meager things in your backpack, slung it over his back and both of them trooped down to the lobby and out the door. One of the hotel security men watched them vulnerable, probably because Mike looked nervous, but did not try to stop them. Once they were far from the hotel Mike heaved a big sigh of relief and they headed for the airport.
Mike checked in for a flight to Tokyo, he handed over the boarding pass, Hunt changed his name, and then started to leave the area. Everything seemed to go smoothly.
Mike turned around and thought to myself that I would never see your money ever again, or Hunt. But he was wrong.
Mike went to his friend's house to pick up the rest of his gear, then headed back to the airport for my 16:00 flight to Bangkok. When he got there he walked to the check-in desk and handed it to the air ticket. The officer who was on duty in the morning is still there. He looked up from the start.
"But, but .... you went to Tokyo this morning. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Oh, I changed my mind and decided to return to Bangkok instead. It was so boring in Tokyo." Mike replied nonchalantly.
The officer shook his head, filled boarding pass, and then surrendered.
"Well, have a good trip. I hope to make it this time ."
"Thanks." Said Mike, and started to leave the area.
is zoomed in Thailand and the week that was to change his life.
This week in Bangkok is a blur. Mike has spent almost entirely in the Mississippi Queen in Patpong. Every night he would party with the girls at the bar. He was with the ball, but on Friday he realized he'd better be, and I organized for a flight to London the next day. So rang up Ben, a local Filipino businessman Hunt has recommended a call to try and get money for his ticket to Tokyo. Hunt explained that he used to work for Ben, and he still owes money hunt some commissions for advertising sales he'd made.
Ben agreed to meet Mike and they are meeting at 11 am Mike turned up looking for a deal, but hopes to recover money for air tickets.
When he sat down and explained the situation Ben exploded in a big laugh.
"Give you some money from the account Mike Hunt?" he shouted. "What account? Even if I did owe him any money I certainly would not give it. The man was crazy with all this talk about James Bond, and he is still obviously mad ."
Mike was expecting something like this, so he was not too disappointed. And he still had the camera Hunt. But it rankled him that Hunt played for suckers.
Ben asked Mike what he did when he was not playing music.
"I used to sell advertising for publication in London ."
"Are you good at it?" Ben asked.
"Of course, I do a lot of money ."
"Why not work for me then? We publish travel guides. I'm sure you can do very well selling advertising in them." Ben said.
Ben showed Mike journals published, and after some discussion about wages and conditions, Mike said he would have to think about how a confirmed ticket for his flight to London the next day.
Ben told him to call back later if he decided to stay.
Mike is back in Malaysia hotel where he stayed, he sat on the bed and thought about his situation. There is the land of three hots: Hot weather, hot food and hot women. Life can be good here. He had a firm job offer and everything was so cheap that it would be no trouble to stay.
If he went to London he would have to start all over again. He was away so long he probably had no friends there any more. He had a job, the weather was cold, the food is bad, and the economy was on the ropes. This was before Thatcher kicked the ground in the form. The decision was not difficult. He picked up the phone and called Ben.
Mike has done well in the magazine. He has helped to improve circulation and magazine design, and he has increased the monthly advertising revenue substantially. He was happy that during his life.
Then, one day Ben called Mike into my office and there sat Hunt with a big shit-eating smile on his face. Mike was both surprised and pleased. It looked like it would eventually get their money back from Hunt.
As if he read Mike's mind, Hunt pulled out a roll of money from his pocket and immediately paid for the air ticket. Mike went out and got Hunt to the camera and delivered. Hunt thanked him and said: "Bond would have done the same thing. It was just the right thing to do for the Lord, do not you know ?"
Mike's luck continued soon after Hunt was paid him when he ran into a German traveler who also played fiddle on the road he met a year ago. Klaus has since been in an accident and lost use of his hands, and he could not play any more. After hearing the story of Mike Klaus handed him his old violin, saying he was glad he was going to someone who would be put to good use.
No one could be more than happy with Mike on this happy ending. He remained in Thailand on that day, and sometimes he thinks back on the bizarre way he ended up in this exotic and exciting part of the world. You just never know what life will throw at you, you?
So, one day, if you walk into a bar somewhere and see old violinist has the time of his life on stage, you might just be looking at Mike. Buy him a beer and ask him if he has any interesting stories about their journeys.
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