To Siem Reap, Cambodia

The bus ride from Don Det to Siem Reap was actually a welcomed surprise. After reading many horror stories on the internet about horrible roads, bad buses, and extremely long arrival times we were more than apprehensive. But everything went smoothly. A large coach bus pulled up right on time. We through our bags in and got to have two seats to sprawl out in, plus the AC was cranking. We pass out and 7 hours later we have to hop in a mini van for the rest of the trip. Cramer gets shot gun I have the whole empty bench seat behind the driver. The windows are open and the warm air is blowing in my face. Its time to sit back and just take in the Cambodian country side. People out here can't be making much money, probably much less than a dollar a day if that. More little shacks and dwellings on stilts line the road with animals roaming everywhere. The countryside of Cambodia, Lao, Thailand all looks pretty much the same- third world poverty. Its not really sad or anything, actually it just makes me realize how well people can get along on very little money. The only thing that sticks out is that many of them seem to throw their trash everywhere, which seems to make their poverty more apparent. Waste management definitely is not a high priority even in the big cities. Nevertheless the Cambodian countryside is full of large farms, rice paddies, and palm trees. Many of the little shacks and houses fit perfectly into the scene. I smile as a watch the scene go by listening to Exile on Main St. by the Stones. The drive of the mini van is making good time, by that I mean he is flying. The rule of the road is if someone beeps get over to the side because they are passing you. Since its mostly scooters on the road it works pretty well. Our guy is just laying on the horn the whole trip, zipping around scooters, cars, trucks, oxen drawn wagons, wandering cows, dogs, kids, and any other impediment. After about 5 near misses, I just turn my head and continue looking out the window at the countryside. At least well be there ahead of schedule.


We pull up the bus station in Siem Reap at about 9pm. We made great time according to a guy named Dada who helps the driver. Dada sets us up with a tuk tuk driver and they take us to our guest house, the Mandalay Hotel. $15/ night with fan, ac, mini fridge, and tv plus its only a few blocks from the heart of the action. The room is tiny, but most of them are over here. Its late and the only thing we've eaten all day is a little bagette. We head down the street to see what we can find. Since this is a major tourist city, due to the fact that Angkor Wat and the other temples are so close (only a few miles away), the tuk tuk drivers, beggar kids and other unsavory elements are out in full force here. Before we even turn the corner tuk tuk drivers are offering to take us to "girls, message, boom-boom". This wouldn't be a huge deal except every guy is saying this every 15 ft or so. Next we get to a mini mart and walk past. 3 little beggar kids come running over to me grabbing my arm. "Mister, please buy us some food..." The little boy is clamped around my leg as I walk, I keep going with him in tow. The little girl who is about 8 has a little baby that's about 6 months tied to her with a towel. A few more steps and I'm accosted on both sides by two very manly ladies... "Me love you long time, me so horny" I'm more worried that they're trying to pick pocket me, but me money and camera is secured. I kind of wrestle myself away and run. Tuk Tuk drivers, lady boys, beggar kids, maybe Siem Reap is not going to be a good place after all. We turn another corner and a little girl persuades us to sit down and get some street food from one of the vendors. We talk to the girl about school and other things. Many of the kids here speak really good English. Our interaction with the ladies at the street restaurant is the highlight of the night. A couple of mango shakes and fried rice for about $2 and I'm good.



We walk around a little more and head back to the room for a well deserved good nights sleep. First impressions again are warped by the amount of contact we had with the unsavory element of the city especially after dark. Since its so close to the temples, the city draws tourists from everywhere in the world. Unfortunately there are many things both positive and negative that come with that.