This is the seventh day that I’ve been in Siem Reap and it has been very surprising how fast the time has gone by. It seems just like a day or two ago that I arrived somewhat wide-eyed from the changes that made the city almost unrecognizable from the time I was here before. I’m not sure what makes it so different, I don’t think that the buildings are newer or anything substantial like that. I mean I recognize some of the restaurants and the basics of the old part of the town. I’m beginning to think that it is my attitude that is different. When I was here before the first thing that happened was a run-in with some drunk tuk-tuk drivers. Maybe from that moment on I looked at the city in a very negative light and it made for a poor experience. This time the opposite has been true, we arrived to very pleasant tuk-tuk drivers, a very nice guesthouse, and an almost perfect experience.
As I mentioned this is the seventh day here and it will be my last full day. Tomorrow Sofiya (I’ve been spelling her name wrong this whole time) and I will be leaving for what we think will be Batambang(sp) by boat, then to Phnom Penh, and ending in Sikouville(sp) on the coast. The rest of the group left last night and has just arrived in Phnom Penh this morning. The plan is that we will probably meet up with them in a few days on the coast. It’s just the basic plan though and who knows how it will actually unfold.
Since the first night that Sofiya saw me fall down the riverbank in Don Det we have been getting very close. I think she just felt sorry for someone who can’t walk a straight line and has taken it upon herself to make sure that I don’t walk into a wall or out into traffic. J All joking aside, whatever her reasons are for hanging out with me I feel very lucky. She has made my last couple of weeks some of the best I’ve had on this trip.
This morning I headed out to see the city about 7 for two reasons, the first was to take photos and the second was to get some exercise. I have been kind of lazy the last month (or two) and I think I’m starting to gain some weight. It took me so long to get to my current weight that the thought of putting it back on has me a little bit terrified. I guess it’s time that I start fasting again. L Anyway, as I was walking around the old city center the area beside the river was packed with people, well not really packed, but there was a lot of people getting ready for a festival. I’m not sure what the festival is for, but there are street vendors everywhere, some of the roads have been closed and people are rowing traditional boats. I was told that there was going to be boat races, so maybe later today the races will start. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some photos. I also need to get the tickets for the boat to Batambang.
Sofiya and I decided to take a walk around the city at around five in the afternoon. The timing seemed to be about perfect the sun was still up, but the heat was dying down. The boat races were in full steam and the streets were packed with people. I don’t usually like large groups of people, but for some reason I had a very good time. The images I upload will probably give a better idea of what it was like.
