My favorite souviner so far has been something that I didn't buy. It is a small key chain that has a brightly colored fish on it, it is really cute. It was given to me by a teenage girl who helps run the guesthouse that I stayed in while in Siem Riep, Cambodia. She gave me the keychain because she said that she liked me and that I smiled at her, so she wanted to do something nice for me. The name of their guesthouse, is Family Guesthouse for obvious reasons, and I couldn't recommend it enough. The family environment of the place was great. After three weeks on the road, a little bit of family was exactly what I needed. Something is really comforting about coming home after a long day of sightseeing to a family. There is Mom, cooking some food and the children chit chatting with guests, and grandma doing my laundry (which at this point was very much needed). And I think it was this experience of meeting, talking with and sorta living with this Cambodian family that allowed me to enjoy my time there. Cambodia is an interesting place, to say the least. From my conversations with others, it seemed as if many people either didn't enjoy their time there, or loved it. I could see why people might not like it. Siem Riep is a town that is located near the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Now that Cambodia as a country has been out of civil war, and is stabilizing itself, tourism around this area is booming. Huge hotels are being built and many are already up and running. I think all this makes for a tourism enviroment where price inflation is expected. Although things are still relatively cheap, it is all still overpriced because people know tourists have money and usually are willing to spend it. Often this makes people feel nickeled and dimed, and lessens their experience. I ran into one german girl who could not stop complaining how she felt like she was a "cash cow" to all cambodians, and how she never would trust any of them. Well, I think what she missed out on was one of the highlights of cambodia. Yes there are people who are looking to charge you a buck more for a cab ride, or meal, but most of the people are great. When touring the temples of Angkor Wat, I hired a driver for the day to take me around. Although only obligated to drop me where I wanted to go, he told me about the history of each temple I visited and also talked at lenght about his own life. He worked for three years in the "killing fields" during the Khmer Rouge's take over in the 70's. He lost his parents, brother and sister during that time, and almost died himself of starvation. Amazing stories.
To switch topics, I had a funny run in with a Canadian guy while in Cambodia. I will write out he dialogue below.
WCG (weird Canadian Guy): Hi, how are you?
Liz: Fine, and you?
WCG: Great, so you must be British?
Liz: Ha, ha, no?
WCG: Oh, then you are Candian?
Liz: Nope, but close. I am American
WCG: Oh (dissapointed tone). Well I am from Canada.....you know that country north of you.
Liz: (sarcastic tone) Are you one of those Canadians who always puts the Canadian flag on your bag so that you can constantly show the world you are NOT American?
WCG: (not picking up on the sarcasm) Oh yeah! Have you ever tried that?
Liz: tried what?
WCG: putting the candian flag on your bag. I know lots of Americans who do that so that people will think they are Canadian
Liz: Why on earth do they do that?
WCG: Well, you know everyone hates Americans
Liz: Listen if people are going to hate me without knowing me because I am American, they are judgemental and that is there loss. People have been nothing but nice to me on this trip.
WCG: I know, you are right. I mean I would have voted for Bush. He had a vision for America.
Liz: (speachless...but giving him a what the hell are you talking about look)
WCG: You like Bush right?
Liz: I am going to the bathroom, nice talking, have a great trip!
Where do these people come from?
(it is raining today...thus the massive posting)
One final note ) about Cambodia. There is a major social issue that I think is in need of some relief within the country. For some reason, there is an overabundance of Yankees hats and shirts worn (hopefully unknowingly) by Cambodians. Why? Is this to torture me? Every time I see one it make me cringe. It is as if Steinbrenner flew in boxes of Yankee crap to the country to further spread his Evil Empire. I hope someday to return to Cambodia with boxes of free Red Sox gear. Maybe once Nomar finally goes, people can donate their shirts to me and I will send them along..it would be a start. I feel bad for the people of Cambodia...they know not what they do.
Yesterday I landed in the southern islands of Thailand. I will be here and then Bangkok for the remainder of my trip. Thanks for your posts.. I enjoy reading your emails while I am away. More stories later.
|
