Khmer Pedicure

The fish eat all the dead cells massaging your feet at the same time. It usually takes about 20 minutes.

PaPa

In l975 the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia killing (over 2m of 10m population 1976-1979 in a genicide) all people associated with religious and artistic expression (especially all the famous). The US and UN did nothing, no oil in Cambodia.

So, today Cambodia's population is relatively young, under 35. I've been in Siem Reap now 3 months and have gotten to know many motorbike and tuk-tuk drivers (both taxis) and shop owners, considered a local now and not a tourist by many.

Now when I walk down the street: "PaPa good today", "Papa free ride", Papa, where you go?".
Gulp.

Photos take l0-l-09 after storm. l of a tuk-tuk, and 2 intersection photos (no Stop Signs or Red Lights in Siem Reap)

Chinese Family

This is a picture of the family that took very good care of me in Qingdao. I'll call them Mom and Dad. They are both 60. They both came to Qingdao at an early age and neither have any education or speak English. But, we had no problems communicating and sometimes it became very funny.
Dad has worked all these years for the city and today makes $260 a month. They put their son through 5 years of college (China has a l child policy). Mom worked in a factory for a few years.

This is the only family that I have met that entertained in their home and they loved to do it. Young and old like to come to their home for a meal. You get lots of good food and anything and lots of it to drink. People do not entertain in their homes b/c their homes are so small. Many nights there were l0-12 of us in their home.

They have never borrowed any money or put any money in stock market and they own this home and a rental home. The room the picture is taken in is l0'x12' and serves as a bedroom, living room, and dining room. There is an enclosed balcony 30"x12', bathroom room for only l person (tiny), kitchen no cabinets or frig (5'x7') 2 burners, no hot water, entrance hall large enough for a roll a way cot for boy to sleep on. This set up or a home with 2 full rooms is a typical home in China. Never saw a closet in China.

Chinese save, save, and save.
American spend, spend, and spend. Many times in China I was embarrased by the way I would just spend money. Sometimes it was just a way to entertain myself.

If Mom and Dad cashed in today they would walked away with well over 250,000 US dollars.

The Chinese invented wash and wear many years before Americans. The pink sweater, Mom wore everyday during the winter, never missed a day.

Asian Driving

Beijing puts 1500 new autos on the streets each week, lots of cars in China. I have lived in China and Cambodia now over 5 years. I have never seen a STOP SIGN in China or Cambodia and have only seen 5 accidents, l serious and 4 fender benders. They drive offensively where we drive defensively.
They blow their horn, saying here I come, and never look in either direction. There are a few signal lights in cities with population of 800k or more.

In Cambodia, small children ride motorcycles like the one shown in picture before they can walk.
All 3 picture are from Siem Reap. There is a river running through Siem Reap and along the river is where I walk everyday.

At border paid a guy to go through customs, immigration, stamp me out of Thailand, and stamp me into Cambodia for me. As soon as I walked across border was immediately met by 20-30 taxi hawkers. Finally had to tell them in redneck terms to leave me alone, I was tired, and all I wanted to do was set on the curb a few minutes and rest. Its a few minutes after 6 now.

The going rate to Koh Kong, about 4 miles from border, is $5 for motorbike (motorcycle) and $10 for taxi plus toll (tourist rate). Local rate is l/2. Set there with 20 or more starring at me and finally said $5 and you pay toll. I had the pick of many taxis. Koh Kong is about l/2 the size of Gunter.

Take me to bus station. At Bus station the girls all recognized me from last year and and a motorbike taxi driver I met last year was there. I told them not to mess with me it had been a bad day and I was not my usual nice guy.
The girls were nice and the taxi driver told me there was a new hotel in town only opened l month with swimming pool.
I'll take it. He took my passport and bags and had me checked in by the time I walked there about 5 minutes. He was there the next morning and took bags and put on bus. The day finally came to a halt at 6:20PM. It was a long day.

I was on a tour bus. Next time I am in Bangkok this travel agent will "loose face".

Bangkok to Cambodia

For several reasons always buy tickets myself and not from travel agents. This week bought a bus ticket from Bangkok to Trat from a travel agent. The procedure is bus from Bk to Trat, mini bus from Trat, run every 30 minutes, to border town of Koh Kong, Cambodia. Leave Bk at 8AM and arrive in Koh Kong at l:30 no later than 2PM.

Saturday morning bus attendant wanted 200 more bahts and said bus didn't stop in Trat but went to border. Argured with her but she assured me that I would get to the border. My voucher (ticket) did not look the others when I got on bus. Got a little apprehensive but too late to do anything. The people on the bus were all foreigners and didn't speak Engligh.

About 40 miles from Trat the bus turned off highway and went down this narrow street. About 40 minutes later the bus pulls up to a pier and ferry crossing. Now this is serious, time to pop a Valium. From pier, I had to take a Thai Taxi ( a pickup setting in the back) for 2 hours to Trat and then a mini bus, another 1 1/2 hours to Koh Kong.

Budda Spirit House

Budda Spirit Houses are located on patios, in yards, side of roads, etc. Buddist believe that when they die their spirits go and live in one of these houses. They are communial, not individual residences for the spirits.

People put water, food, and paper money in the house. The money bows away, no one eats the food or drinks the water. Don't know why they do all of this if its not used.

Statue of Budda in the center.

Thai and Khmer food is probably the hottest and spiciest in the world. Because of the side effects of eating Thai and Khmer food, all Thailand and Cambodian bathrooms have an extra fixture.

Delicious, they say.

Delicious, I'll never know. Last summer I was in Cambodia for 2 months and never had any Khmer Food (Khmer is the language here and it's like saying English in Am).

I don't think anyone would disagree with me in saying that some of these entrees are unique. Several entrees make Chinese BBQ Chicken Feet look yummy.

Picture of hotel's restaurant where I live here in Sihanoukville,( the beach town).

If you travel for eating and food, Cambodia is not the place for you.

Now, you should be thankful and enjoy your next meal.

Dreams Do Come True

My lst post will be a little psychological. In my early 20s my One Big Dream was by the age of 50 to stop working and do what I wanted to do in life, didn't have a clue to what that was. I did not live my next 30+ years pursuing this dream because I knew it was unrealistic and unattainable.

Lo and behold, at the age of 51 my one big dream was realistic and attainable being forced out of work by a bank merger. I could have gotten another job but heck give it a try. After 10+ years I find myself in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

The past 10+ years have been one incredible journey. Everything I planned never worked out, but things always worked out better than I planned.

I don't have a clue as to what I am doing, but in a few seconds I am going to hit " publish post".

IF I do this again, it will be something about the present or past 10 years.

As we said in the 60s, PEACE.