Angkor what?

Last night Paul played pool with a Khmer prostitute. More on that later. I really needed to get that off my chest.

Angkor Wat is breathtaking. So is the poverty in Cambodia. Breathtaking. It has been over 10 years since I lived in South America and I had forgotten what 3rd world was like.
Smell of urine
Mangy dogs
Air thick with diesel
Bare, callused feet
Machetes
Children selling to all us tourists instead of learning arithmetic "Lady you buy from me? Lady? Buy 1 get 9 free. LADY?
Feces
This is the real world and it is humbling.

We have spent the last two days touring the ancient city of Angkor.

Breathtaking.

I remember the day I learned that Angkor existed. Freshman year. Art Fair on the Square. A photograph of trees growing through ruins in the jungle. I had never seen anything like it and I knew I needed to see it for myself someday. Today was that day.






This was yesterday. I thought we were going on safari and Paul was about to hit up the back 9.











So...about that prostitute.

After dinner last night Paul and I stopped into a tapas bar to get a drink. The bartender (Erin) was from California and we started chatting. After only speaking to each for 7 days we were really excited to make a friend. Actually 2 friends. Michael from Australia was there too. Anyway...Erin closed the bar early and the 4 of us went to a place she hangs out at.

It was the Capital of Creeptown.

At first glance all was fine and dandy. Paul and Michael wanted to play pool. There was a British guy that was game. His partner should be back any moment.

Oh. Here she comes. Pretty young girl. Clubbing clothes. Local. Game starts.

Hey,British guy, what brings you to Cambodia? I ask.

I had to have heard him wrong.

Excuse me? What was that? The temples?

No, not the temples. Sex.

Oh. Don't react. Poker face.

I take a better look around. Local women. Skinny. Meth I assume. Western men. Slimy. Dirty.

Hey, Paul. Um. We gotta get out of here. Right now.

Tonight, we stayed in.

$10 for an hour message. I heard the therapist call Paul "King Kong". Now that is some good, clean fun.

Meghan


To our parents-
Next on the Agenda:

The island of Ko Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. 4 day PADI open water scuba certification course. We have a really long day of travel tomorrow so we will post the following day. We will be staying at grand coral resort.

Location:Siem Reap, Cambodia