Saturday, December 29
I have had the most extraordinary experience of my life today and as much as I want to share it, I don't know if I could. Accurately. But what the heck? On with my story!
We began the morning with a breakfast. I tend to skip many breakfasts, but I do make it a point to have one before a strenuous excursion of sorts. I had hot choco and garlic bread.
When our tour guide arrived, my family and I left excitedly for Ta Phrom, a place in Siem Reap well known for its crawling trees, overgrowing the temple walls and buildings and made even more popular with Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider movie.
Now why all of a sudden my stomach began to be upset is beyond me. For few minutes I tried to hold it as long as I could, but when I could no longer do so I had to insist heading to the nearest toilet around. Now let me describe to you how my situation was: Ta Phrom is surrounded by a large area of woods, which is surrounded entirely by stone walls over 2 or 3 meters high (my estimation), and there are only two entry/exit points (the north and the south) and the distance from the main entrance/exit to the temple/building was more or less a kilometer away.
Right. So we were at the heart this tourist attraction. Imagine me finding my way out of the place through a thick gathering of tourists taking photos and blocking every possible attempt to move quickly, free from any hindrances, and running like mad for a kilometer to the nearest toilet. Of course, I couldn't run, but I wished I could. All I could manage to do was skip. Our tour guide caught up with my mum and I, and thankfully, was very patient and helpful in leading the way out.
To reach my story's climax, I did not, and let me repeat, DID NOT reach the toilet! The worst thing that could ever happen to a tourist like me, happened! I will not dwell anymore on the details of how utterly uncomfortable it was and how I managed, but I wil mention the utter mortification I felt that I had to do it in that dense forest behind the ruins of a library! Thank God for dense forests! Thank God for mothers who bring with them loads of tissues, wipes, and alcohol... and moral support!
When the deed was done, I insisted that my family continue their tour while I forge on in search of the nearest toilet in fear that my stomach would once again explode. I reached the exit, I saw the souvenir stalls, I eyed the vans and tuk-tuks and motodops and taxis about... but no toilet! I asked a tour guide where it is.
"It's about 500 meters more to the right!"
I headed back to the tour.
(Pictures, travel info and bus/hotel/etc., rates to be posted next time. Happy holidays!)
Banggi is done jabbering. Your turn.
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Sunday, December 16
I can't believe it! Just 7 more days till my folks arrive from the Philippines!! I can barely contain my excitement!! Oh, I think they'll like it here. This place is, afterall, a tourist destination! Lots of stuff here for their cameras to feed on:
-Boat Trip to the Tonle and Mekong River (it'd be nice to catch sight of those dolphins) -culinary adventures with Khmer Cuisine (which my dad's sensitive palate will just have to put up with, harhar) -Russian Market -Central Market -and maybe to one of the nearby provinces here too.
Yes, their schedule's swamped and it is my sincere hope that they don't get too stressed out in the provess. This is, afterall, their vacation. Mine too, in a way.
I just wish I could go with them to Thailand on their way back home. Some friends/acquaintances will be touring them about. *envious* I wish we receive our salaries early.
Banggi is done jabbering. Your turn.
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Friday, November 30
Today's a very interesting day.
Since most of those interesting things are rather private, I'll just mention other not-so-private thing/s which makes today interesting.
On my way home aboard a motor taxi, the driver and I were stunned at the sight of an elephant marching its way along the busy, moto-congested highway of Russian Blvd. with its rider on its back, holding a harpoon-looking device (rather treacherous-looking) which I gather is the rider's "elephant-brakes".
Had my driver been a reckless one, we would've rammed our heads into that huge elephant behind which greeted us in front with much regality and wedding-march-pace. The orginal king of the Cambodian roads walks once again on it (asphalted and all). I was truly awed by the sight of it (of the elephant, not its behind)! How fascinating! It's the best thing ever! This week. That is.
Stuff like that can really lighten a heavy spirit.
I could smile all night.
Thank you, God, for such amazing surprises!
Banggi is done jabbering. Your turn.
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Friday, November 9
D's Books is having a book sale 'till the 25th. I don't know how many times I had been back there this month, but, it's just that they always have these new pile of books put up everyday so I had to keep going back and check out the new ones.
Anyway, I just want to share my elation for finding (or getting my hands on) "Weirdos From Another Planet!: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection by Bill Watterson," from the new pile of children's books they stacked on the 1,000 riel section (that's about $0.25). Pretty neat, eh?
I also found "Lilith" by George MacDonald there for supposedly $0.50 (since I found it in the Teen section) but they charged me $1 for it (hmph!). Still, a MacDonald book is a very rare find so imagine how ecstatic I was!
So yeah, today's a very happy holiday.
Banggi is done jabbering. Your turn.
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Tuesday, October 30
I love Cambodia!
I think I'll stay here for a few more years. No harm in it, I suppose.
Well, I have my reasons. One of them is rather shallow but the rest are resasons enough to stay. I'll just mention the shallow reason.
I love Cambodia because of all the films I get to see here! Can you believe it, that I found a copy of a silent-film from 1927 here?! Digitally remastered and restored! Unbelievable! And most of the French films or Indie films I've seen or have been featured in my university during film festivals can be found here! And films from other countries too like Thailand, Malaysia, I even found one Philippine horror film here, and Chinese, German, Russian, French of course, and really old TV series like The Golden Girls too, etc. Isn't that marvelous?!
I won't get any of these in the Philippines, you know. This is truly cinematic bliss!!
Banggi is done jabbering. Your turn.
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