this is one of the major cities in cambodia. i had never heard of it before this trip. cambodia seemed like this far away country and i had no plans on visiting. and now im riding around on a motorcycle with a girl who doesnt speak any english. it is midnight and we are on our way to the night market. the city reeked of exhaust and pollution. there was trash everywhere. at the night market there was some 'cambodian style' hip hop going on and some loitering teenagers. our friend chanthos and her sister took us to a little place to get some soup (pho). the lady was making it right there on the street. it did not look clean. but we were hungry and we were guest. plus i hoped that if i added enough hot sauce, it would kill any bacteria. or something. haha.
our next day consisted of touring the killing fields, s-21 (a school turned into a prison camp), parks with wild monkeys, witnessing two motor accidcents, meeting chanthos' family, and arguing with an old american who was trying to justify buying sex. it was an overwhelming, eye-opening day. and i know the past is the past, and we just have to learn from it but i was mad and sad about the present. the day ended with me, tayler and chanthos talking. laughing. bonding. we are all young women. we are all just trying to figure out life. who we are. why we are here. and we all want to be loved. tayler and i tried to encourage chanthos to learn to read english and find a honorable job and to not settle when it comes to love and be an example to her friends. blah blah blah.
who are we but some wealthy americans traveling through.
knowing that the comfort of our home awaits us in 2 weeks.
