Laos Love and Cruisin Cambodia

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I paid 2 dollars for 4 tampons today, which for some unexplained mystery was more than I payed for my nights stay at my air-conditioned, 3 bedroom suite in Cambodia. I have to admire the oddities of travel.
For instance: I spent the last 10 days floating down a river in Laos. The same stretch over and over again, with my worn (incredibly unsafe) inter-tube, and pleasurable company. Spent my evenings at the 1 bakery in town watching movies and wash the quiet moments down with all you can handle "Friends" episodes and fruit smoothies. I see why the black hole of a town known as Vang Vieng consumed almost 2 weeks of my trip.
I got distracted. Add a few rope swings, cave explorations and travel buddies and Wham! Too much comfort for movement. But the point here was oddities of travel. What finally compelled me to move was an attack by a foreign and terrifying, fanged and oh so scary...
plant.
Yep, I walked thru a damn plant that I swear to God caught my leg on fire. I proceeded to run about flailing like the mad woman I am until I found the closest water source. A rusty, stagnant, water filled barrel for toilet purposes. My leg got infected.
I wonder why?
So much I suffered a slight surgical procedure with Dr. Laos at the local hospital. He proceeded to tear open ever last little pus filled boil on my lower extremity while dousing me with Iodine and laughing. Dr. I'm gonna kill the american blonde girl gave me my 6th round of antibiotics in 6 months and sends me on my way. Much better mind you. I finally left but me and the Canadian sisters struggled over the decision for days. Actually considered just working in the tiny town and staying for, I dunno? Forever!
Ha! just kidding, I miss home too much to end up spending the rest of my days in a Laos village. Fond memories and lovely times though.

Then down to Cambodia where the girls and I opted for some historical adventures. Visit the museum and the killing fields. Sounds scary doesn't it. I mean the museum. Buuuuuttt. Instead we somehow acquired a pretty eye infection and are all blind and bummed. Nothing short of crazy times eh? It seems my health would prevent me from another adventure. Truth be told my adventures are getting less and less due to my health and my money has suffered greatly as well.

Someone send me a Western Doctor or else my arse might have to come home before I die.

All in good spirits
at least trying 😊

Cambodia,
I came with cultural intentions., a social break, a time for the authenticity of the land I was in. I was successful in all ways on this. The Canadian sisters and I found history, sadness and confusion in the killing fields of Phenon Phen. (after our eye infection improved) Mass genocide in the 70s that left over 3 million dead. We respectfully toured the concentration camp that still wore the bloody stains of men, women and children. Rusted shackles, walls scarred from the fighting victims fingernails. Muddy colored splattered walls... Nausea We viewed torture instruments and sickening sights that leave a soul lost and fighting to make sense of the unfathomable feats of man. It was an exhausting day. The killing fields were the worst. You literally walk paths that are still littered with human remains. Bones and teeth and scraps of clothes are protruding from the ground. You can touch the bones, hold the lost memories of torn families and tortured dreams. Skulls, all bludgeoned by the closest blunt instrument to save bullets and babies beaten to death on trees as casually as you would swing a bat in little league. Maggie cried, Ali remained silent. I walked aimlessly, dazed and uncomfortable. It changed me. Thats all I have to say about that. Its one of those experiences you can only have if you are in it.

After this we bused north to Siam Reap where we spent hours upon hours in the refreshing contrast of the ancient ruins of Angkor. Here's a visual. Its the same place Tomb Raider was filmed and in every way more fantastic then the movie. Screw special effects. No need when reality is more amazing. Except for the scary statues coming to life, didn't happen. Thought they might and in my mind I was fleeing the ancient temples in proper Lara Croft style and loving every inch of the adventure. We awoke at 4am to witness sunrise over its magic shrines, prayerful carvings and perfect symmetry. We sat in silence and laughed as the light welcomed the day. Had some shit monkeys try to steal my bag but in the funniest of cliches they only made off with my bag of dried bananas. Thought those little fuckers were gonna grab my ipod but I'm quick and intimidating. 😊

I enjoyed this time, It was uncomfortable and enchanting. I got to spend Halloween in Cambodia dressed appropriately as a cowgirl despite most thinking I was Britney Spears. Damnit! I'm not Britney Bloody Spears!

Off to Malaysia to meet some previous travel buddies, then Indonesia, Bali... Volcanoes and Aussie land. I miss home greatly but will return soon. Love to my American Friends, Love to you.

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Comments

[Deacon Miller]

[e-mail]
Fabulous!!! Thanks for sharing

[Thyui]

Hrm
Eye infection and Fire plant for the loss. Cool stuff. You are an excellent writer.