Happy Birthday!

No it's not my birthday, but it is the birthday of a friend. Wishing her a happy birthday, and finding out she had to work, led me to remember one of my most interesting (and short) birthdays.

I was traveling to China with three male associates. They all knew that we were leaving the day before my birthday and that I was going to get cheated out of 12 hours. China was 12 hours ahead and we pass the international time zone sooo, I lose half my birthday.

We couldn't fly direct to China at that time, we had to come into Hong Kong and then take a bus, or in our case this trip, a car into China. We had planned to take a day of Vacation in Hong Kong, doing a little exploring.

None of my companions mentioned anything about my Birthday. We landed in Hong Kong and nothing. Kind of sad to loose half a day and not even one Happy Birthday. We all lined up at for Entry Document inspection. I was in a different line. Something about the agents there. They are so stern and ominous, even though my documentation was perfect, I was always afraid I'd get turned away and have to get the next plane home. Not a pleasant thought when you just flew for 15 or more hours.

My turn and up to the desk. Hand the dead serious agent my passport. He looks, I sweat, he puzzles at the passport, I shake and sweat some more. Then his stern grimace slowly turns up to a Huge beaming smile, and the agent that I didn't imagine even spoke English said "Happy Birthday". What a Pleasant surprise. I think one of the nicest Birthday wishes ever.

Oh, my companions finally wished me a Happy Birthday after I told them the story. And they took me out for drinks with the few hours I had left of my day.