Three photo albums are up! They are of Angkor Wat and Bangkok. I still have about 500 more, but you'll just have to be patient because I'm on the way TO THE BEACH. :)

Happy Human Rights Day!

(Click there)

It's been really bugging me that I didn't really finish my thoughts on the whole American/European rant. Although Doug wrote quite a good response, and you should read his comment. What I meant to really get into is the fact that Americans just don't seem to even consider it. It's straight to college, straight to work. And so many people don't even enjoy what they are doing, and have never had the chance to see what else is out there. You can say its the culture shock, but its the same for Europeans, but somehow they have the mindset that its OK to take time off. And it is! Boy have I engrained that into my head. I am backpacking through Southeast Asia by myself, but there are SO many other people doing it. It's really the easiest thing ever. And it's so cheap (once you get here..) It sure does add up quickly though.. But it is a good point that its easier to travel where you know someone. Fleeing to Vietnam by myself wasn't that appealing to many people, but it was a great decision! And now, you know ME, so I would appreciate some visitors...

I am now in Siem Reap, going to see Angkor Wat tomorrow (see the Cambodian flag if your not sure what that is!) I use to love the traveling part, trains, buses, I've done it all so many times, I love airports, etc. Something about it all excites me. But traveling here has turned me into bitch! Whenever you arrive to a destination you are BOMBARDED by moto drivers. They literally stand in your way so much so that you have to push through them to get off the bus and to find your luggage. All the while have them screaming in your ear "You want moto lady?" "You want tuk-tuk?" Over and over again.. Its annoying because yes, I do want a moto, but I don't know where I'm going, and Iwould like to take a few minutes to find my bag and pull myself together enough to figure out where the hell I am. They don't understand that much English, so I just put my head down and keep saying no until I can walk far enough away where I only have five guys harrasing me intead of twenty. Then of course, its the race to find a guesthouse. The drivers get a commision from certain guesthouses, so they work hard to convince you that is where you want to stay. Last night (in bitch mode) my driver brought me to a different part of town then I asked to go. I took out a map and said "NO. I asked to go HERE." The place was nice enough but it was in the middle of freaking no where. So I sat in my tuk-tuk and I said "Take me there now." He said "Okay, two dollar." "No- you said ONE dollar until I found a place." "Two" "One" "Okay lets go." This took a few minutes and drew quite a crowd, but he drove me into town and I only paid a dollar. Sometimes being a bitch pays off... I'm in the best place ever! I'm paying $8 a night (way out of my price range) but I have a confortable mattress in a real room. A tv, my own bathroom, WITH hot water. I was SO happy when I was settled last night. I took the longest shower and it was so fantastic. Then I had a great nights sleep. I would say I am the least high maintenence person I know, but for $8 a night, I deserve a ilttle luxury now and then.

Some thoughts on Asia -

Food. Still amazing, everywhere I go. I have tried all of the local Khmer dishes, including Amok and Luc Lok, but since I don't have this availability in Can Tho, I"ve also indulged in western things like omlettes and pizza and french fries. Sometimes you just need to. My favorite foods overall are fresh spring rolls (although fried are amazing too, I'm trying to stay away) and Fried Rice, of any variety.

Markets. I don't understand them. A positive - you can literally find anything at all you might ever want/need/wear/use... anything. But what a hassle!! Everything is piled on top of one another and the aisles are SO narrow and there are people everywhere yelling at you "You buy miss" "You buy from me now" "You want scarf" Etc. I usually end up buying things from the people who don't hassle me, because I like them better. Which brings me to the next thing I don't understand...

Bargaining. I just don't get it. They ask for $10, I say $5. From there it goes a little something like this... 9, no 5, 8, 5, 7, 5, 6- its my final offer. 5- its my final offer. okay 5. Seriously! You know you are going to agree with me, why are you wasting my time. Its the same for moto drivers. They say something and I say one. If they don't agree I just walk away, there is another moto every five seconds and someone will take my dollar. As soon as you walk away the guy pulls up beside you and says "Okay one dollar, get on" It's a ridiculous sytem. I definitely miss fixed pricing.

Bathrooms. For those of you who have the benefit of being able to pee standing up, congratulations. For everyone else, practicing the art of squatting is quite the experience. Not only this, but men pee everywhere. I can't even tell you the number of men I've seen peeing. Just right on the side of the road. MUST BE NICE. While you, the bus driver, can pull over at any moment you wish and hop off the bus and pee rightt here, and then get back on the road, we, the female riders, have to hold it in until we reach a rest stop. We also have to always carry around toilet paper with us. Which has become a part of the daily routine while getting ready in the morning. "Wallet, check. Money, check. Toilet paper,check." Also, hot water is a hot commodity. I haven't had it up until now, but when he told me for $1 I could have hot water I said, sure why not. The water heater is already in my bathroom, and the guy wont turn it on unless I give him an extra dollar a night. It certainly is nice though...

Anyway, I'll be here for a few days and then off to Bangkok! I've always always always wanted to go to Thailand and I am super excited for it! I think I'll post some pictures from there too, I have seen the most amazing sunsets that I really want to show you guys. Miss you!

I believe I've found heaven on earth.

But lets back up a bit.. I still have a lot to say on Thanksgiving and Cambodian history and the wonder of why no one ever taught me the history of southeast asia. I didn't learn a thing in any of my history classes, so I guess it wouldn't have made a difference, since I lived in America for 22 years and can't really tell you much about anything history related. One week in Cambodia and I'm a walking history book. But alas, I don't have time to write about it all. So do yourself a favor today and research the wonder that is Cambodia. You will not be disappointed.

I spent an extra day in PP because I got sick. This was interesting because I never got sick in Vietnam and I think I forgot that Iwas going to a different country and things might be a little different. Luckily it was only for the night, and I was with Sarah so I got to stay at her place, which was a MUCH better place to be sick at than my three-dollar-a-night-room-with-shared-bathroom guesthouse. So after lounging for a day, I took a $5 bus to Sihanoukville, which is what I am now calling heaven on earth. I'm paying $2 a night for a matress on a floor, right on the beach. It's amazing here. The white sand and light blue WARM water and hot, hot sun are exactly what I was looking for in a vacation. The sun is freakishly strong here and I'm a nice red/golden brown color. You can be jealous.

I spend my days lounging on the beach, swimming in the water, playing beach volleyball with a million Europeans, and generally having a great time. I spend my nights sitting on the beach and eating/drinking/chatting. I haven't even gone into town because I'm afraid this is all a mirage and if I leave the beach it will disappear. I met two Americans (finally) from NY.. one of them just graduted in May from Northeastern. SMALL WORLD huh. We can't think of anyone we know, except a professor, but how strange? Things never cease to amaze me.

I brought up the question of why aren't there more Americans out here on the backapckers road. There are europeans everywhere I turn. I can't put a finger on it, but I guess it's just the way we are raised? I've been to quite a few places all over America, some multiple times, but I imagine if you live in Europe it isn't out of the ordinary to travel to different countries. They are all in such close proximity I know everyone who studied abroad there took advantage of that. But if you think about it, a flight to London is approximately the same as a flight to Cali.. and I've been to Cali a handful of times, but never stepped foot in Europe. If someone can do research on this and get back to me I would greatly appreciate it.

Tomorrow I leave heaven on earth and go to Siem Reap, which will be amazing, and I'll explain all about it afterwards. As a whole, I have noticed that I am bias on Vietnam. I think of it as more then just a country I've been to, which I guess was the whole point in me living there in the first place. It is easy to see how Vietnam has moved on and pushed forward after the war, while it is taking Cambodia a bit longer get over the Khmer Rouge Regime.. but I can see development. But driving through the country I felt like I was in India (a feeling I do not know, since I have never been, but I kept thinking about it.) Much less developed then the parts of Vietnam that I've been to, a bit dirtier, overall not as "nice". But the sites are worth seeing, and this little unknown beach is worth moving here forever. Many travelers end up staying here for longer then expected, some start working at the bars, its not a bad idea. But alas, I have to meet Sarah in Bangkok and I'm looking forward to a travel companion, and more eautiful beaches. I also plan on doing more "beachy" things.. maybe a boat or snorkeling, as many things as I've never done before to cross of that list. I can't wait!

I'm getting even slower with the emails (sorry!) Its easy to get internet access.. but I just don't want to haha. Keep writing though, some of us have gotten into some good novels, and I love you for it. Stay warm. :)