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Thailand and Cambodia 2000 - Part One - Bangkok & Siem Reap

Dougburnett
2003-11-22 17:55:13

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far, unsuccessful shopping. I wanted to buy something to remind me of Angkor but hadn't seen anything I liked. Finally, still empty-handed, I took a moto back to the hotel for another shower - the only relief from the heat.

About dark I headed back to the same restaurant I had visited the previous night. As I sat with another Angkor beer, a guy walked by and asked about the food. I said I didn't know anything about the food here, but that the beer was good - and invited him to join me.

His name was Ken and he was from New York state - he was traveling solo like me. We talked for awhile and finally decided to go to the Bayon for dinner - I had been telling him how good it was. We got a couple of motos to take us for 1000 Riel ($0.25) each.

Part of the Bayon is in a garden courtyard, which was decorated with what I think of as Christmas lights - twinkling, tacky, colored lights - but in this setting they seemed nice. It was still pretty hot and as soon as we sat down the waitress aimed an oscillation fan on us - it helped a little.

We ordered a couple of beers and then two curry coconut dishes - one with chicken and one with fish - a plate of Chinese broccoli and steamed rice. We sat eating, drinking and talking. I learned that Ken was a Presbyterian minister. He told me that the part of his job that he dislikes the most was all the bickering that goes on in the congregation. Right now he said they were arguing about the ordination of homosexuals - they had already sorted out the same issue about women.

Later, thinking back on our conversation, I realized we never talked about religion. At first this struck me as odd, but then it hit me that he was probably as tired of talking shop as I was. I would never, never willingly bring up the subject of computers when I'm on vacation. In fact, every since a woman next to me on a plane pulled out her portable computer and asked for help when she learned my profession, I have been toying with the idea of telling people I sell insurance - that should keep the subject of computers at bay.

Anyway we only left when they started putting the chairs way. I offered to pay and Ken didn't object - I guess he was used to accepting other people's charity, being a man of the cloth. At this point we headed in different directions: I don't know where Ken went, but I headed back to my hotel, to bed. I was leaving for Bangkok tomorrow. It had been a great night: good conversation and delicious food. If you get to Siem Reap make sure you eat at the Bayon.

In the morning I walked back to the Siem Reap market - I was resolved to spend some money. I looked around for a while and finally found a couple of things I liked: I got a small, carved box with a compass inside and plate with dragonflies painted on it.

I also took a bunch of pictures. The Cambodians I met were very friendly and never seemed to mind having their pictures taken - they always had big smiles on their faces. In fact, I was sad to be leaving. I would have liked to see more of Cambodia. I liked the lively markets and the slow life style.

The Bayon hotel also turned out be in a good choice. It was close to the market but otherwise nothing special. I made the reservation through Mandala International Travel in Bangkok (mandala@bkk.loxinfo.co.th) and paid $45 per night.

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