The remainder of Siem Reap was fairly uneventful, but great. The last day we were there the three of us rented bikes from the hostel and rode around the city a bit. We stumbled upon a school, a crocodile farm, and some very poor, rural areas. After 2 out of 3 of our bikes broke we decided to head back to the hostel. It was INCREDIBLY humid during the day especially since it rained in the morning. Later that afternoon we went to a restaurant called "Dead Fish". The place is known for being able to feed the crocodiles for .50. So of course we did. It seemed incredibly unsafe, and you would never see this is the states or Europe, but it was fun none the less. Last night the hostel showed Vicky Christina Barcelona so odd to be in Cambodia and watch and American movie. After the film we went to dinner and I had what I think was the best thing on Earth. It is called chicken Amok, and holly hell was it good. I took a picture of it because it was so delicious. :) It was like a curry, but not. Unbelievable.
This morning we woke up to catch our 9am bus to Phnom Penh (capitol and largest city in Cambodia). We bought a first class ticket to ensure Air Con and a comfy ride. Unfortunately the air con broke about 2 hours into the 6 hour journey. SO hot!! So much for first class. We did however receive a bottle of water and a loaf of bread.
When we got to Phnom Penh we made our way to the guesthouse. We are staying at a place recommended by a friend who was here not to long ago. We walk up to what looks a little scary from the outside, but this place is PHENOMENAL. In our room we have 3 VERY comfy beds, our own bathroom, AND satellite TV. All of this for the low low price of $4.75 each. Our room is just as nice as a hotel room. Tonight we went to dinner at a restaurant on the Mekong river, and as things go had the WORST meal ever. I should have stuck with my Amok. I ordered a soup the waiter recommended, and never again will I order a soup where the description reads "sour fish and veggies soup". SOUR it was... gross.
Tomorrow we will go to the Killing Fields, the Genocide Museum, and a few other places around town. I think tomorrow is going to be a VERY depressing day. However I am sure it will be humbling and will be a good thing for me to see.
On a depressing note, everywhere in Cambodia there are land mine victims, with no arms, or legs. Many of whom don't beg but play music on the street instead. It is really sad and truly makes your appreciate what you have. We read that while walking around Siem Reap to be careful to stay on the paths because there are still many mines around.
Our last night in Siem Reap, we saw a little boy who was starving laying on the sidewalk with his mother. I want to help these people but I don't know how. It is a much greater effort than I am ready to deal with at this point in my life. I read some statistics today about the alarming number of child deaths due to dirty water, and malnutrition. You see these children begging, and then I go back to my $5 luxury room (which to them is expensive) and I have a life of fortune. It is very humbling, and I hope I remember how good I have it when I complain about the minuscule things like, being hot on a bus. If only they could afford a bus.
Overall- South East Asia is so far so good.
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