Well, now I’ve officially had the first, “buying drugs in a foreign country and not getting what they say” event. The last time was Prague, of course, which, no matter how many times he poked us and telling us it was acid, it was most definitely not acid.

After smelling the weed we figured it was oregano and the boys decided to eat it. Apparently they got fucked up, but not stoned, so the jury is out on exactly what it was. Some tourist treat, I suppose. Ah, Siem Reap.

I just got back into Phnom Penh today and am looking forward to cruising around the city again. I really like this city and it become exponentially better when you’re weaving through the traffic on the back of a motorbike. I will surely miss you guys.

Battambang proved to be a bit of a hole in the wall city– we didn’t expect much or anticipate much, but it didn’t really deliver. Of course, the monks were ever present and soothing my vibes, but there wasn’t much else to do there. Despite wanting to take the train to Phnom Penh so we could ride on the top, after finding out it was a 20 hour train ride since it goes so slow, we opted not to partake. The bus ride proved eventful, complete with friendships made with some of the women and a handshake and smile upon alighting on to the bus. I love that. I even had one of the women stop me to make sure I knew I was getting off at the right stop. Cambodians, you are amazing people. I never cease to be impressed by how helpful, friendly, hilarious, and fantastic singers you are. So far, aside from Laos, you are my favorite. I even like the cute little kid on the treacherous bus ride to Battambang over a bumpy dirt rode that just stood up and peed in the aisle. I think children may be one of my favorite parts about travelling to new places. They are hilarious. Each one stares curiously and some are almost militant as they yell, “Hello!”or confusedly “”Good bye” as you approach their line of sight. My favorite so far has been the child that was absolutely pissing himself laughing, jumping up and down pointing when my travel mate and I got stuck in a torrential downpour on our bicycles. It was well worth the ride, though I was soaked through and through.

I saw Angkor Wat up in Siem Riep, which was a test of will power and mental perserverance, but was well worth it. Awaking before sunrise to see it rise over the temple was hard, especially after not being able to sleep the night before, but I was proud of myself for sticking it out. By 11 AM we had seen the temples and it was much too hot to keep pressing on. Without monks walking around and chanting, it’s not quite the same experience. I probably spent too long in the city itself as I found myself equipped with a bicycle and a bookstore which English language books. Despite considering “Midnight’s Children”as I departed, I picked up Kerouac because I have to be that cliche. I can’t imagine another time when I could be fucked to read it, so I may  as well now. See what all this noise is about. Got some more Kundera, read my first Murakami and picked up a couple more. I’ll probably grab another before I go to Vietnam, since Cambodia has offerred more for my money than any other country. Well, aside from Laos. I’m looking forward to Vietnam, though the stories are half and half whether it’s amazing. It’s more of a struggle, the people are more intense, less willing to interact on a human level and much more militant begging and selling. I have become fed up with looking like a bank, but I’m brushing it off. There’s not a lot that can be done. I’ll see what Vietnam is like for myself, since generalizations are rarely accurate. Cooking classes and tailored dresses– if nothing else I’ll be set in that respect. A little over a month left and I head home. It seemed like it was forever until i would be and now it seems like no time at all. I wonder if I’ll cry before I leave. I know I’m going to miss seeing monks everywhere, motorbikes with entire pigs strapped to the back, motorbike armies taking over the streets, bicycles everywhere, and the children riding gigantic bikes as they leave school in their uniforms.

What will I do without grilled bananas? It remains to be seen. It’s hot here, it rains buckets every afternoon, but I’m got some mental peace in Siem Riep. Another country and I’ll be tossed through the ringer again, but if I can avoid being killed, arrested, or maimed there’s not too much that could happen that would ruin my life in Vietnam. And I cannot wait to go ape shit at the tailor’s. Any dress I can imagine? Any shoes I can imagine? The list will stretch longer than my cash flow, but even if I only get a few perfect things, I’ll be satisfied.

Off I go to maybe score some shrooms, go for a walk and prepare for the next day of sightseeing and maybe a Cambodia vs. Nepal soccer match. More to follow…