Tour-guides to be

Photographer: Brian Squibb
From: Angkor Wat

Tour-guides to be

Funny thing happened with these kids: We first saw them at the entrance to one of the larger temples. They started to tell us about the sites, then suddenly bolted as a cop drew near. The cop gave them a chase, but they eluded capture. I felt for the kids, and wanted to lead the cop in the wrong direction. They eventually met up with us again, and continued to tell us about the sites. I eventually realized that they would want money from us at some point, and told them that I didn't have a lot to give them. Their friendly attitude suddenly turned sour. They basically followed us until I gave them three times the amount that I initially offered them ($12 or so in the end, which doesn't sound like a lot, until you realize that is 1/2 month's wage for most people there). Nat was pretty uncomfortable with the situation, and thought that they would attack us at anytime. I was naive enough to think that I could handle them if it turned ugly (I am bigger than the both of them combined), but I am glad that it didn't. In the end, they took the $12 and left. Maybe I should have directed the police their way in the first place...