The real life hangover..

The fun never stops..

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, I have the best friends in the world. Not only have my parents been out to visit since ibr been here which was incredible, and some of my day one pals as well but I've had yet another goot mate come out! With four years of friendship under out belts (and nearly two of them being long distance) a catch up was well overdue! Spotting her in the airport proved an easy task as we were dressed the exact same, black shirt, denim shorts and a slightly sweaty forehead!

Picking up where we left off was no problem at all. We had nearly two years of Drama, highs, lows and everything else in between to catch up on. I think a true measure of friendship isnt how much you talk, how often or even how long you've known each other for that matter, a true friendship is one that continues exactly where you left it, for us, that was standing in the middle of her driveway in the middle of Southampton street, saying goodbye as she was heading off on a new adventure. Now, in the middle of Vietnam, same trash talk, same girls, fresh start. The next few days went exactly as they should with delicious food, bike adventures and a decent massage. After being rubbed down by what I could only describe as the hands of god herself, I thought she was ready to experience a true vietnamese night out.

Now the stars aligned perfectly for this evening, my pals that I've made out here were all severely dehydrated and in desperate need of a drink and yet another friend from home (yes I know, so many friends) was also in the city for the night, so it only seemed fitting... ladies night was calling us. A few bangers and some even more ciders later the five of us left my apartment, heads full of hope and lungs full of pollution to go get all the free drinks the bar stuff would let us claim at our Tuesday local, Lush. No more than 5 minutes after we arrived my other friends arrived and we became a strong group of 7.

We were radiating happiness. There is nothing I love more than when two separate groups of pals get on and they were getting along like mice with cheese. This radiated throughout as we had not one, not two but three separate groups of Japanese businesses men approach us asking if they could sit with us. Being the friendly bunch that we are (and opportunistic) of course we say yes, a few made conversation and after they realised the language barrier moved on pretty quickly, but not group 3. No group 3 had the stubbornness of well, a Cooper, and it started thick and fast...

"Can I buy you all a drink?"

-Mate, Come on, its ladies night, we get drinks for free, your not offering to pay my student loan here, I'm not that impressed... Did I say that? No. I did phrased it a bit nicer..

"Oh no, it's fine thank you, we get free drinks so I would hate for you to waste your money.. "

And in the back of my mind I am hearing Shane's voice about taking things from strangers..

"How about some fruit?" - he replies.

Fruit? Fruit? You have peaked my interest Sir.

Immediately start racking my brain for what my parents said

"No Candy, no drinks, no pets (weird but yes), no rides" Nothing about fruit! And since your girls was seriously lacking in all her Vitamins (and anything remotely nutritious) I said yes quicker than the last single girl in her group if married mates.

No less than two minutes later, there at our table was the biggest bowl of fruit salad I had seen in my life (and we all know my mother is the most notorious over-caterer known to man). With a free drink in one hand and half a watermelon in the other the night was really starting to take shape. Not long after that, the japanese men said there goodbyes (leaving the fruit of course), and one final parting gift, a bottle of Vodka. Honestly a huge Arigatō to them!

We moved to the convience store next door where we exchanged banter, a few tears and a few more beers. Heading back to Lush for a little boogie, I found myself acting like security, stopping this wee vietnamese girl from laying into her Western boyfriend. That was the last sign that it was time to move ot our old faithful, 185.

A quick head count before getting in the taxi, placed everyone where they should be, outside and ready to jump in the seven seater. Laughing and joking at a pitch similar to what I can only imagine pterodactyls sounds like I realised that my friend had been a bit quiet.

"Sip, mate, what do you think?"

-nothing-

"Sip, oi, mate, wake up"

"Sip"

"SIP"

Turning around, I realised why she wasnt answering...

chúa ơi... (oh my god)

We've lost Sip....