Journey To Cambodia

It is 1:42pm on Monday, December 5th. I'm at an Internet cafe around the corner from where I'm staying. My relatives' house in Phnom Penh is about five minutes from Pochentong airport. I was hoping to give a detailed update whenever I can, but my mom and aunts made my cousin walk me here and I don't want to have him wait too long. The plane ride here was very unpleasant. It seriously took FOREVER!!! It took about 13 hours from Seattle to Tai Pei and another 3 hours from Tai Pei to Phnom Penh. We were assigned seats facing a wall and placed on the same row as passengers with babies. That was not pleasant at all. I was annoyed by the flight attendants the moment I got on the plane. I was trying to put our carry-on luggages into the overhead compartment and one of the flight attendants gave me a hard time saying I'm holding up the line when I'm taking as much time as everyone else. The compartment spaces over our seats (which was right at the mid entrance of the plane) were filled. I swear I wanted to slap that bitch. She was the one holding up the line when she pulled my luggages back down and pulled me aside to let others through. Couldn't she not help me instead of standing there looking all pretty? Shoot, I'm trying to put my things away and walk back to front to get seated too. I finally put my stuff away and one or two of them gave me attitude for the next 13 hours. The flight was horrible. I couldn't sleep at all. I was constantly awaken by the crying babies and the flight attendants doing snack/drink calls. I found it very annoying. I guess it wouldn't be as bad without the babies and rude and unfriendly flight attendants. When we transferred plane in Tai Pei my mom was watching the airport workers load the luggages into the plane. She mentioned to me that she saw them drive away with luggages still in the luggage carts. I told her maybe they belong to another flight going elsewhere. When we finally got to Phnom Penh I was able to talk to the immigration folks about giving me a permanent entry Visa to Cambodia and I got it! It helps that you speak Khmer. When I went to the baggage claim to pick up my stuff we realize two of our luggages were missing! The same guy who helped me with my Visa helped me file a missing report. Fortunately, the two luggages were still in Tai Pei and I got it the next day. One of them had ALL my clothes! Anyway, enough about that.

It's HOT over here! I showered twice already today. My dad called and said it snowed a lot back home. I would do anything for some snow right now. It's been fun so far. My first day wasn't very good. As soon as I got here I was homesick. I also miss my baby. My cousin drove me around the city the first night. It's pretty cool here. I heard many people my age who have come to Cambodia say they don't fit in. I don't have that problem at all. I totally don't feel like a foreigner, but maybe it's because I'm in the city. The next morning I went out for ka-tiew. They're about a dollar a bowl here. Not too big, just the right size. Afterwards we went shopping at "psar-thmei" (new market), which is like a farmer's market/bazaar. I was able to pick up some silk purses and souvenirs for friends. My mom and I also bought houl and phamoung (silk fabric) to be tailored into dresses. We also checked out Soriya Mall. I should've listened to people who told me not to pack too much clothes. I could've bought a lot of cheap and cute clothes here. In the evening I met two more cousins and we all went out to Heng Lay for dinner. It's a big riverfront outdoor restaurant with an entertainment stage. The set looks like one of those in Khmer karaoke videos. Oh yea, along with people singing there was also a comedy show. A famous Cambodian actor/comedian was there. We just know him as Ah-Khrom (sp?). On Sunday we spent the day in Kampot. The drive was long and rough. We stopped by a small fishing/crabbing village to buy fresh shrimp, fish and live crabs. Then we drove to another location along a river to eat. Along the way we stopped by a durian stand and bought a few of them. We got our food cooked and served to us. I've been eating good these last few days. Everything is fresh. The crabs, fish, tropical fruits... durian have never smelled so good! This morning we went out for more ka-tiew and then to another shopping center to buy more fabric for the houl and phamoung. I'm actually going to a tailor shop in about 20 minutes to get outfits made for me so I have to wrap up this entry soon. I left out a lot of details. I've been keeping a written journal, but I forgot to bring it here with me. I will be going to Battambang in two days for the a few days. We're going to visit my dad's side of the family. We're having a bonn (ceremoney) for over 100 of my dad's relatives, who are coming from all over. I'm not sure what kind of vigil/ceremony we're doing, but I heard we're going to have 40 tables set up. My mom and I don't have to worry about anything because the locals are cooking and arranging everything. We just have to pay up for the expenses though. Alright, I have to go now. I miss home and I miss everyone!