There's no way you could prepare for any of that...
But be assured you're not alone. The sheer volume of utterly messed up backpackers I've seen around the Cross is beyond count. I think dealers get rid of or test out any dubious drugs they have on people they know will be out of the country before long. Those tranny hookers you mentioned on the downhill side of William street get the lost souls parade every weekend year in year out. A guy I know was so fried a few years ago he was actually pulled on to a bench by one of them who went to the missionbeat van and came back with a coffee and pastry, then stayed with him until he was good enough to get in a cab and go back to where he was living.
( difficultchild, Fri 25 Mar 2011, 2:00, 1 reply)

Sweet!
I guess sometimes you get the friendly one, and sometimes the 'for fucks sake not again!' ones... scared the shit out of me, but wasn't really in the position to make a valid judgement too I guess!
( Jimbuktu See? Right here, Sun 27 Mar 2011, 13:20, closed)