Tour Busses, Thousands of Them

All filled with 30 or 40 tourists that are asking each other "Where are you from?  We are from xxxxxxx.  We DID xxxxx today.  Tomorrow, we are going to DO xxxxxxx.  We are staying at xxxxxx.  It is fabulous.  Where are you staying?"

And they all stop at the same places, and they all have a guide wearing a microphone connected to the bus PA system  "On your right is a rice field.  During the monsoon the entire area is flooded......"  

Then the guide says "The bus will stop here for 30 minutes so you can purchase some refreshments.  Then we will go to xxxxx.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask....."

Thank God I am not on one of those busses.  

It would ruin my walkabout.

My private tuktuk driver met me promptly the the hotel entrance at 9:00 AM.  I told him I needed some cash at an ATM and we were off.  All the ATMs I have tried attempted to spit out US $, not Cambodian Riel.  I asked my guide and he said most people, stores, businesses, restaurants, etc. use US$.  So I got some more $, although I still have plenty that I have carried from PDX.

Off to a Pagoda/Wat to watch the Monks receive alms.   

Pol Pot served as Democratic Kampuchea's Defense and Security Chief from 1975 to 1979.  On April 14, 1976, Pol Pot was named the new Prime Minister of Democratic Kampuchea.

In the first few days after Cambodia became Democratic Kampuchea, all cities were evacuated, hospitals cleared, schools closed, factories emptied, money abolished, monasteries shut, and libraries were destroyed. For nearly 4 years freedom of the press, freedom of movement, freedom of worship, freedom of organization, the freedom of association and discussion all completely disappeared. So did every day family life. And entire nation was kidnapped and then beseiged from within. 

By 1977 parents ate breakfast in sittings; if they were lucky their sons and daughters waited their turn outside the mess hall. Human communication almost disappeared.  Democratic Kampuchea was a prison camp state and the 8 million prisoners served most of their time in solitary confinement. And 1.5 million of the inmates were worked to death, starved and beaten to death.

Cambodia was sealed off. The borders were closed, foreign embassies and press agencies expelled, newspapers and television stations were shut down, radios were confiscated, mail and telephone use were suppressed. The speaking of foreign languages was punished. Even worse, Cambodians could say little to each other. They quickly learned that any display of knowledge or skill especially if "contaminated" by foreign influence was folly in Democratic Kampuchea.

Then I was off to the Artisan Craft place, where they employed locals and tought them to make laquer boxes, wood carvings, stone carvings and other handcrafts so they could earn a living.

Then off to the market where I wandered for an hour or two while Mr. Sarann waited patiently for me in the tuktuk.  

"How about a beer and some lunch?"  And just like that we were off in the tuktuk to have a cold one and a bite to eat.

Stop here, I want to take a picture.....

Then off to the silk worm farm and the beautiful but over priced silk goods that were absolutely georgeous.  I wish I carried a purse, because I have seen some beautiful ones.

Silk worm cocoons.

Then an 18 kilometer ride out of town to the village where Mr Sarann lived.  Met his son and daughter, visited his house.  

Went across the street to a friend's house and guess what??

It was a party!!  3 South Africans that were on vacation from their jobs teaching English in South Korea and about 1/2 dozen Cambodians.  Immediately,  before I could say hello.....sit....have a beer......

Deja vu of Phonsavan and the boys.  Most of the Cambodians spoke good English...there was a tub of beer and blocks of ice...all kinds of food...

Then it got serious.  You take a pie pan and put a lighter in, then put a skillet lid on top.  Shake the pan and place it on the table.  Point to someone. They can either turn the pie pan and remove the lid or just take the lid off. When the lid comes off, the head of the lighter points to....the person that must drink 4 oz of beer.  Traditionally, the game is played with a chicken head and the beak points to the person that must down the beer.....

Kind of like spin the bottle.  

Gave them $5.00 and within 10 minutes they had added another 12 pack and a block of ice to the tub.

We played this game for an hour then I said to all "I am much older than all of you and cannot do this anymore."

Back in the tuktuk and down the street to the alligator farm.  Hundreds and hundreds of them, being raised for shoes, belts, purses, wallets.  Some were 10 feet long.

Then off again for an 18 km, 45 minute ride back to my hotel.  The weather was fantastic...sunny and about 80F.

Alone, in my private tuktuk, all over Siem Reap today. Probably drove over 50 km. 

We passed hundreds and hundreds of big, crammed, tour busses all with with the guy wearing the microphone and he was saying "On your right...."  And charging all aboard about $75.00.

I safely arrived at my hotel about 5:30, 45 minutes before sunset.  I gave Mr. Sarann a crisp $20.00 bill and gave thanks that I am a solo traveler.

Tonight is the Chinese New Year.  Should be lots of fireworks and partying going on.

Will leave at 8:00 tomorrow in my private tuktuk for Angkor Wat and the other non guided sights and experiences that the day will offer up.....

On Walkabout......

Byron