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Published: November 27th 2008
I've been in Cambodia too long when....
When Sophat has had every guesthouse TV tuned to karaoke, and I'm singing along as words appear on screen, AND understanding this crap (latin alphabet transliteration versions).
When "Tea Money" is no longer an embarassing topic during negotiations.
When a total absence of traffic law turns driving in Phnom Penh into an exciting competition.
When local eating places next to public places of **** cease to horrify.
When the Police are never even considered as a source for assitance. Neither are the Courts, the Army, the Gendarme, nor the provincial clinics or hospitals.
When I can walk past the trays of fried tarantulas without jumping away and into oncoming traffic as the preferred method of death.
When a visit with the rural 'Doctor' involves the reading of entrails, the spilling of blood (hopefully not your own) and the imbibing 'sra sor' infused with any number of formerly living creatures.
When, rather than being a novel social tipple doubling up as a bike parts cleaner, you now believe 'sra sor' to be actually drinkable, and regularly imbibe....to forget where and who you are.
When the verb 'to dance' becomes synonymous with a soporific writhing activity, where the rest of the body essentially remains in rigor mortis.
When you believe yourself to be the first 'Barang' to be accepted by your Khmer friends, as being one of them, and that they really will "love you long time".
When swimming, you realize there's more available Oxygen in the water than in the air above you.
When the female soap opera stars stop sounding like helium inhaling freaks, and you're actually starting to immitate rather than mimmick them.
When the very concept of a washing 'machine' sounds like a Sci Fi invention.
When cold water scooped from the bucket then thrown over your body (by your own hand, and first thing upon waking) no longer brings on temporary respiratory arrest.
When the call of the 'frog' ringtone has you searching the room for a misplaced amphibian.
When you're residing in Cambodia and have nothing better to do than write this
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Denise
non-member comment
what the heck?
Geez, I get involved with work more than I want for one year and suddenly I'm oblivious to the wanderings of Juanita. Wazzup? (also the alter-ego name of our new kitten, but, really...What's up? Cambodia full time????)