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Published: June 27th 2007
Hello Cambodia.
FREE PARIS. And it finally came. I checked CNN, our “quality” news source to find the breaking story of here release. What a relief. As both an American and a human being I couldn’t be happier. I think as a result the “Free Paris” riots will cease to exist across the world, now that such an important person is free to dance for the paparazzi, and post bad home made porn on the internet.
Cambodia - This place is nuts, especially when you’ve been up since 4AM.
First off. My own personal fascination with Cambodia’s recent history, i.e. the Pol Pot Days. Gruesome and sickening, and very scary that atrocities like this continue to happen in a modern “civilization.” Where is the Shock and Awe when you REALLY need it?
Read a great (sad) book a few months ago - “First They Killed My”- A girl that survived The Pol Pot days, but lost many family and friends. A very horrific but important reminder of what kind of shit happens outside of the West. Back to that stuff later.
Second: The Currency. They have Cambodian currency, as well, as Thai (which is “devalued” here), But the man Currency used is US dollars. This bothers me, but more on a personal and selfish level. I like the idea of getting different currency when in another country for a few reasons. First off, its like monopoly money - you can just spend it, and when you run out you go to the ATM to get back into the “game.”
The other reason I am not a fan, is that it reminds me of home, and reminds me of the ties that I am trying to separate while traveling. I don’t like the idea of worry or thinking about money while traveling, I’d just rather focus on the time I have and do what I can to enjoy it…even if it costs a few dollars more. What’s an extra 100 Baht in the big picture? You only live once, and I never want to regret doing something causes I wanted to save $2.50US. Now since I’m in “ÃS Dollar Mode,” and I find it harder to separate the two worlds. Not to say that things aren’t cheap; a beer, for $0.75, water for $0.30, and a great English breakfast this morning for $3.
I got a cab this morning bright and early. Nice driver, like what seem to be the most of the Cambodians so far (minus the folks at immigration). With the days of Pol Pot (1975-179) being so recent, a fresh wound, if you will, I feel a bit apprehensive about going too much into it, although that’s one of my main reasons for coming here; hearing the first hand effects it had on the people.
I asked my Cab driver if it was appropriate to discuss things like this, he came right out with it. Pol Pot killed his mother father, sisters, bother, leaving only him and his sister surviving the labor camps. I didn’t want to press into further personal details, but veered the conversation more towards the political end, and the post Pol Pot days. I really can’t even imagine what this place was like as the Khmer Rouge rolled into Phnom Phen, a HUGE city, and “evacuated” it. And to even to think of the horror that followed. With in the next hour I met another 40 something man, who, as well, lost his entire family. I have a feeling this is going to be a common thing or encounter if you will; a taste of reality, first hand, or as first hand as history and culture will allow.
On more of a “brighter” note.
I arrived in the city at around 9:00 AM - Cambodia, since the Gov is still “new” and a bit unstable and POOR, it s kind of a cowboy land - not literally though. With in the first 45 minutes of arriving I was offered everything from an Bazooka to blow up a cow, to “boom boom” (prostitutes), to any drug one can ever want, weather it be pot, heroin, or SE Asia’s version of Meth, Yaba. All I really wanted was some fried eggs, and coffee, and my Hotel (for shower and sleep), which I was able to get into, eggs and coffee included! I have a riverside balcony overlooking The Mekong River, and AC, and a bed that’s just ok. I am happy, what can I say.
I did buy one thing during those 45 minutes of “new foreigner in town” moment. Little girls sell bootlegged copies of books on the street. Its hard to tell they are knocked off, I got the lonely planet Cambodia, color pics and all for ¼ of the price of what the airport wanted…and I helped the kids out…so my karma is balanced, even if it is copyright material.
I have only been here a few hours, and that’s all I got….will keep you posted in Cowboy Country.
-Dylan
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annie
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travel guide....
D- You should put together a travel guide written just as your bloggs are. You could also have Quirts suggested reading materials....I'd use it! xoxoxoxac