Today I depart back to Ho Chi Minh City. I will have one more night in HCMC before I depart back to the states. If I haven't mentioned this yet in my blog I am looking forward to getting back home. I am getting home sick and am ready for a good American meal.
Yesterday my tour guide-Bunrath invited me to an authentic Khmer meal at his friends restaurant. He picked me up around 6:30 pm on his motorcycle (really fun). The food was fabulous-beef with lemongrass and beef with cucumbers and BBQ beef. I couldn't tell if it was cooked or not. Bunrath said it was but I don't think so. So far so good on not getting sick. He wanted to also take me to a Cambodian night club. Quite interesting. On the way to the night club just as we were leaving the restaurant he got a flat tire. He had his friend pick us up. I always wondered how 3 people could fit on a motorcycle (very common here and in Vietnam along with seeing children riding in the front of the bike). Well I wonder no more.
Some interesting things I have learned about Siem Reap.
1. They are very conscious about litter and the environment so for the most part it is clean here (at least speaking for Siem Reap). In the remote places in Vietnam you see a tremendous amount of garbage-their environment is their garabage can-unfortunately.
2. You do not want to travel to Angkor Wat if you are disabled, elderly or have knee problems. It is very physcial to walk the temples and the majority of temples have very steep stairs.
3. It is really really hot here.
4. Don't bother converting your USD into Cambodian money (Riel). They would rather have your US dollars and no one will ask you for Riel for payment.
5. I felt very safe traveling here alone and being blond. I never felt any threat even walking from my hotel to the Old Market at night. However, I did hear differently about Phnom Penh where you are offered drugs and prostitutes by everyone including the Tuk Tuk drivers.
6. Expect to be asked all the time if you need a Tuk Tuk or motorcycle ride. They are everywhere.
7. All Cambodian men (not sure about women) must study to be a monk (I believe the shortest amount of time is 2 weeks).
8. The Khmer New Year is Tuesday, April 15.
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