Cambogia
Yesterday I got up at 4:30am to try to get out to Angkor for the sunrise … but ended up walking around Siem Reap for about an hour looking for a place to rent a bike. Finally I gave up and hired a motorbike driver for the day … and it turned out to be a great decision. I saw dozens and dozens of temples, condensing a three-day experience into about 12 hours.
The verdict? Angkor was completely incredible. It was like a giant stone playground … reconstructed nine hundred year old temples that you could just climb around and explore. I’m usually not one for history, or buildings, or touristy things in general, but I’m definitely glad that I chose to go. Another world wonder checked off the list!
And, as a bonus, as I was walking around one of the most complex temples, I ran into Amy K. (WorldTeach volunteer in Yueyang). She and Hayes (my roommate from orientation) had been in Angkor for a couple of days … and it was fantastic to meet up with them for dinner later on! Afterwards, I stopped for a nice massage at a blind hospital then had a sweet, well-deserved rest.
In the morning, I got up, packed, and left for the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, by bus. The trip was terribly long … I once again had the worst seat and it stopped way too many times on the way (to get commissions from restaurants, etc). But it conveniently dropped us off right in the heart of the guesthouses where I was hoping to stay, so I grabbed my bags and started hunting for a good deal.
On the second try, I found a clean and safe four dollar hotel, so I dropped my bags and started checking in. Suddenly, however, I realized something terrifying … I had left my money belt in my hotel room in Siem Reap! My passport … my money … everything. I always hide these important things when I stay somewhere, but this time I totally forgot to pick them up before I checked out!
This was bad news. At best, I would have to take a bus back to Siem Reap tomorrow then take another one right back to here the day after that, wasting two days in Cambodia and missing this city altogether. At worst … well … I didn’t want to think about that. So I scrambled around, making some phone calls and checking schedules.
After a while, I actually found the son of the Siem Reap hotel’s manager here in Phnom Penh (of all things!). He called his mom, found my money belt, and agreed to arrange to have it sent tomorrow via bus (for a price, of course) … so assuming that everything goes as planned, I should be able to stay here and actually enjoy the city.
I’m lucky … when I applied for my Vietnam visa, I had to specify the date of my arrival. I had a hunch that something bad would happen, so I put down the 20th instead of the 19th, giving me an extra day here in Cambodia. Looks like that was a good decision, because if something goes wrong, I’m going to be scrambling like a chicken with my head cut off!
For now, though, I’m chilling like a villain. I’ve got CNN, ESPN Australia, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, CNBC, Discovery Channel, a movie channel, and a handful of Chinese television stations too in my hotel room. And seeing how I only have four dollars in my pocket, I think it’s going to be a night of the good old Electric Drug (television) for me!
February 18th, 2007 at 12:38 am EST
DEAR LANCE, THIS IS WHY I AM PRAYING UNCEASINGLY FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR SAFETY. AT THIS MOMENT I AM PRAYING THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR DATA SAFELY AND THAT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THAT PROCESS ARE HONEST AND PERSONS OF INTEGRITY. I PRAY THAT YOU ARE NOT IN ANY PERIL BEING THERE WITH ONLY $4 AND NO PAPERS! WE WILL WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU AS SOON AS YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECOVERY (GOD WILLING!) OF YOUR THINGS. WE LOVE YOU AND ARE THINKING OF YOU AT THIS MOMENT AND MOST OF OUR WAKING TIME. BE SAFE! Love, Mom
February 18th, 2007 at 12:55 am EST
The important thing is I hope there was something good on TV….no, bad Adolf joke….we are praying for the recovery of your papers and know the value of those things. The whole family sends our love.
February 18th, 2007 at 1:02 am EST
praying for you here too. the one thing they told us at work (and beat into our heads) is that when travelling overseas NEVER be without your passport. i literally slept with mine and kept it in my front pocket at all times until i was safely back in the US when i went to China, and will do the same next month in germany. it will all work out, God had a reason for it to happen in the first place (even if only to teach a lesson)…
February 18th, 2007 at 2:22 am EST
Now I know what the “goof” means,too bad… I am praying for the recovery right now (I live very near a temple and today is Chinese traditional day for praying), hoping that you’ll get all the things back as soon as possible.
You are an optimistic guy in my mind,so please don’t worry,God bless optimist.
February 18th, 2007 at 6:10 am EST
If they have Animal Planet, you are set! Try to find “The Most Extreme.” We Tivo that show. Praying you get your passport back soon.
xoxoxoxoxox Mona
February 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pm EST
Yeah, I have been set. Being in a room with the television droning on has been therapeutic, if nothing else. The NBA All-Star festivities are on, there’s a couple of good movie channels, there are a lot of interesting Chinese New Year specials, and (as you mentioned, Mona) Animal Planet simply rocks. The best thing about it is that I’ve been able to really crank out my grad school work in that environment. I wrote a seven page paper this morning!
But at noon, I had to use my remaining $4 to pay for another day at the hotel. Eating today (or not?) should be another creative pursuit!
February 18th, 2007 at 3:18 pm EST
One time i lost my passport in a swiss bar. luckily, swiss are so honest you can drop money and they will return it, and a complete stranger came up to me and said to “is this yours” and yes, yes it was. my buddy was shocked and asked why i wasnt ecstatic and i simply replied “God, he does cool stuff like this for me”
no joke. i totally forgot about that until now.
its really strange how it works sometimes…
February 18th, 2007 at 7:29 pm EST
Great to hear from you Lance. LOVE, MOM