Cambodia

So I have arrived, figuratively and literally. Literally I am here. I have physically arrived in Siem Riep, the stepping stone to Angkor Watt. Figuratively I have arrived as well. I am currently staying in a 5 star hotel, in an (or the, I couldn't quite tell) executive suite. My walk-in closet in the hotel room, is bigger then my entire bedroom. The window overlooks a pond that is covered in beautiful lilly pads. I have arrived.

My uncle, upon hearing about my travels in South East Asia, figured that while I am here I should check out Cambodia, because his immediate family put enough money together to create a school in Pursat. So I am like a spy, or an emmisary. Either way, I'm living in style. I have never stayed in a hotel as nice as this even in America!! I can't believe I am able to do this! Tomorrow I sight-see at Angkor Watt for the day, and then I head off to the school. It should be incredible, and I have my Uncle to thank!

It was very sad to say goodbye to Nha Trang. When I arrived I had this high from Nongkhai. I had the most amazing time and could not imagine that anything else could measure up. Of course, with that attitude nothing could. So I took a deep breath, erased all expectations and wound up having a great time, so much so that I did not even want to leave!

I had a great last day. Jade, Ryan and I took some motorbikes out to the country side and trekked/hiked to Ba Ho Waterfalls. It was amazing. I really pushed myself to the limits with all the climbing but it was so worth it. It was absolutely beautiful, but in a very subtle way. I will post pictures when I don't have to pay per minute on the internet. I have never however, felt like I was taking my own life in my hands, as I did when riding on the back of Jade's bike. It's funny though, because all day I was waiting for me to hurt myself, to trip on a rock, to slip and cut my skin, or to get into a little motorbike accident. So after the 45 minute bike trip back, we pull up to Kim's bar, and getting off I burnt myself on the overheated exhaust pipe!! All that worrying about getting hurt on our journey and I get hurt in from of my virtual living room!!!

Then Kim, the bar owner had a farewell dinner for me. I ordered the T-Bone. I mean I just had to!! It wasn't bad at all! Then I went to hang out with these guys that I have been talking to alot lately. Two of them were from Ireland, and picture any Irish stereotype and at least one of them fits it. They were great! The other two were from England, although I didn't meet the second one until this night. I had met the rest of them a few days prior, and they informed me that there was a fourth, but he awoke midday on the beach with a sunburn, a massive hangover and empty pockets. Of course, when I finally do meet him, he tells me how he wants to be a teacher. I just didn't see it though. Jade finally came back from swimming and we joined the boys at the Sailing club. It was really great! For most of the night, one of them was always near by entertaining me, conversing with me or just saying hi. It was amazing. I was an especially big fan of the non-alcoholic(although that is in the eye of the beholder as well) English man, which has joined a list of many English men I have enjoyed being around while here. This makes me think more and more that England or at least Europe is where I want to be for a while.

But why don't I get through Cambodia first, before I start planning my next trip?