Me and my first gun

Sarah and Johnny

Sarah and her AK-47

On a recent visit to HK, my sister informed me that I would be required to participate in a war game with BB guns. I was quite horrified at the non-PCness of this suggestion. Young children are starving around the world and you turn the premise into recreation? To make it worse, we had get up at 6am.

0600hrs alarm goes off.

0615hrs alarm goes off again.

0700hrs Mel, Sarah and Johnny fight over the bathroom.

0715hrs "non-make up" is applied ie brows, blush and waterproof mascara :)

0800hrs arrival in mongkok cafe.
Every customer is in fatigues. They vary from the English Army to the American Desert Storm. I myself am sporting the regular American army uniform, hand-me-downs from Sarah who has upgraded to the more slim fitting Australian army uniform. Marlboro lights (menthol preferably) are lit and strange coffee consumed (horlicks and ovaltine are other popular choices). The rest of "team" are very friendly and chat over everyday things like the latest movies and modifications on their guns.

Handicaps may be given for girls being on your team

We make our way to the grounds by car or bus, today located in Yuen Long (read the sticks). Since I do not have my own gun, I rent one in the form of a kit including clothes, bullets, and a face mask (don't want to get shot in the face now, do we?). The games themselves are short, lasting less than half an hour. The game is over when all the players of one team are dead or a target is achieved, e.g. grabbing the flag in the middle of the area. The bullets hit like the snap of a rubber band, short and sharp and may leave marks. When you get shot, you shout out "I'm dead", raise your gun over your head while walking to the side of the area and have a smoko break. The different themed areas are colourfullly decorated with old cars and buildings, tyre constructions or empty oil drums.

Finishing touches on the wearable ikebana

Lunch is supplied, usually boxes of rice with a dish on top. If you smile at the staff the right way, you can even swap your water for a coke (note: not all participants were successful at this task). This place even had tofu flower (sic) for dessert.

The day ends at 5pm when it starts to get dark. The players disperse to their respective homes or enroute restaurants for dinner. Remember to bring a change of clothes as the head to toe camo look is a little less attractive in Causeway Bay at night.