Wow, I just got back from the Golden Computer Arcade. That place is UNBELIEVABLE. I was told to go there to check out some computer components and gaming accessories, but I was in no way prepared for what I saw there. I had the address to the place and I was just outside of it looking around, didn’t see anything really that unusual. Went inside this mall, take some steps downstairs, and suddenly there’s a dizzying array of people and computer hardware, software, and accessories. I walk through a bunch of narrow hallways lined with merchandise, the place is absolutely rammed with hundreds of Chinese people, and I see virtually every computer and gaming product that one can imagine on tables, on the floor, on the walls, hanging from the ceiling, etc. Sensory overload – I can’t walk through the place without bumping into 10 people, 2 chairs, a table with DVD-R’s, and advertisements hanging from the ceiling. People are speaking Chinese all around me and I’m the only foreigner in the place. Each booth is either selling games, DVDs/VCDs, computers, or computer or video game accessories. Absolutely anything anyone could want is there, and is pretty reasonably priced. The size of the place was incredible, 2 levels, each of them a labrynth. I got lost more than once, and then found myself in the same place where I was, without even realizing it. I got a voltage converter for my DS, but it fits the mainland China plug and not the HK plug, so I can’t test it here.

After leaving the Golden Arcade I went to an actual video arcade where I played some Sega game called Ghost Scout, I think. You aim and shoot at bad guys with an enormous gun which you hold with both hands, with the butt of the gun on your shoulder. Awesome game, but it only lasted maybe 5-6 minutes ($5HKD each play). Before that I actually played a racing game with another guy. When we were selecting levels he wanted to select the super advanced course with hairpin turns. I opted not and selected intermediate instead, and he follwed suit. He pretty much effortlessly dropped me, and at the end of the race he turned around backwards and rammed me. This was probably the most realistic racing game that I’ve played here (and I would say the most realistic I’ve ever played, if not for F355), so it was difficult.

I’ve been listening to Jasons promotional mix, it’s pretty good. It sounds like late-90’s techstep, but I’m sure it’s all newer material. It’s got that rough-but-funky sound to it which is refreshing after enduring a few years of Technical Itch and the like.

I want to check out Wan Chai now but I’m very sleepy and need to wake up at 9am. What to do? I’ll probably stay in.

Got back from the park, to find that CTS closes at 5pm on Saturdays. Damn. I’ll have to wake up early and see if I can’t book the ticket in the morning for same day travel.

Walking back down Nathan Road I stopped at the crosswalk to cross the street and noticed myself next to a beautiful Chinese girl. The interesting thing about me communicating with women here is that I we generally can’t speak to eachother because usually their English is only slightly better than my Chinese, so verbal communication is impossible. But with this mode of communication blocked, your nonverbal communication skills become much more attuned and subtly aware. Like a blind man who develops an extra-sensory ability to hear, nonverbal communication becomes seemingly more dramatic. Anyway, I was standing next this woman and we glanced at eachother, crossed the street, I walked into my building and she followed, and we both got into the same elevator. We looked at eachother for what I’d say was more than a quick glance, maybe half a second (which might not sound like much, but when two strangers are looking directly at eachother, it is). She had bright blue eyes, and I don’t mean natural eyes, clearly some very weird contact lenses. It startled me, it wasn’t unlike the freaky contacts that people wear on halloween, and she was wearing them around on the street. I’m sure she’s not the only one, but that’s the first time I’ve seen that around here. She got off at the floor below me.

I found out where Lik Sang is, near the Golden Arcade that I was told to check out by the Shim Shui Po MTR stop. Apparently this is gamers paradise, and I’m glad that there’s a force to finally bring me right there. I’m going to bring my DS and see if I can’t figure out how I can get it charged over here, and I’ll pick up Resident Evil 4 for Matt if they have it in stock for Gamecube. I’m curious to see what the store is like, because the internet site behind it is infamous. It’s a Hong Kong retailer that ships all over the world, and it’s a favorite among pirates of course, HK being the world capitol of the pirate gamer. I’m supposed to leave tomorrow, but I really don’t want to. I’m looking forward to seeing the mainland for the first time, but I’m sure that I will miss this place for how exciting and vibrant it is. I think, however, that in 8 days I’ve gotten a good idea of the essence of Hong Kong.

I want to get all the photos that I can before I leave, and in that vane, I almost want to bring my camera with me to Lik Sang, but it being dark, the other side of me wonders what the point is. I’ll leave it here and walk out without my laptop or camera, I think for the first time.