5 hour bus ride observations from the window. This is a remarkably flat country. In a half asleep state, I thought I was in Nebraska! It is just as flat as the eye can see. The road hazards are wandering cows who have no apparent concerns for traffic. Nevermind the small children. The village homes are built on stilts- reminds me of what I've seen in south Florida. Growing up in earthquake friendly California, I look at these houses and think one good trembler would send them all tumbling! We past a monement to the dead slaughtered by Pol Pot, literally the killing field. As one might imagine, there are lots of references to that regime of terror. But where are all the jungles? Either there has been massive deforestation or I have been seriously mislead. I know that this is the dry season, it has not rained in 4 months, but I didn't expect it to look like the midwestern dustbowl.
The city of Seim Reap exists soley to serve the tourists visiting Angkor. It is obvious by the prices and industry. I have completely blown my $30 per day budget and spent more like $90! As much as I like this place, I will be happy to move on somewhere cheaper. I am writing this while enjoying my morning cup of coffee. It was something else that I did not expect was that this region grows its own coffee. That is what I like about travelling is blissfully bumbling around in ignorance being pleasantly suprised. We share our hotel room with a family of gekos so at least we can sleep knowing that any flying annoyances have a stalking predator waiting in the corner. There are foot massage shops on nearly every corner so I know where I will be after a long day of temple touring!
