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Latvia
Just a short update. I've flying to Latvia in three hours. I'll be living in Riga for a bit. Now you may be a little confused since my initial Belgian training shouldn't end until NEXT week, and I wasn't supposed to fly anywhere until next month. Frankly, I'm confused too. I guess I got promoted. Anyway, just wanted to update y'all. I'm frantically packing and getting ready, so I don't have time to say anymore.
This just in...
Ok, after a ton of im's and wall posts, I probably should update my blog with my newest job opportunity. I flew to Atlanta last week to interview for an international marketing firm. (They aren't based in Atlanta, that's just where the recruitment happened to be.) It also happened to be where Bonnie is living, so I totally got to visit her! (More on Atlanta fun times later.) After an information session, group interviews and a personal interview, they offered me the job! I will be moving to Belgium to start my two week training in the middle of August. The training will be at their offices in Overpelt, the Flemish part of Belgium, an hour from Brussels and 45 mins from The Netherlands. They own an apartment complex nearby, which is where I'll stay, along with the other newbies. I've actually been in contact with this company since last year. I really liked them, but I already had a job lined up in Greece, so when they told me of the recruitment this past weekend, I jumped!
After my training, I'll have anywhere from four to 12 weeks of on the job training, where I'll be placed with a team somewhere in the world. They have teams in most every country around the world, so the sky's the limit. After that I'll have my own team, again, in a country somewhere. I'm terribly excited.
So, you ask, what is it you'll be doing? Well, I'll be an International Project Consultant, which you're thinking doesn't explain anything, and you're probably quite right, so I'll give you an overview. I'll be creating, designing and writing reports on the country I'm stationed in for magazines and newspapers like the New York Post.
And now for something completely different. Fun times in Atlanta! After my interviews on Friday, Bonnie showed me around Atlanta. It's a beautiful city with no more than 10 square feet ever without a tree. It's so green and leafy. When we had just flown under the cloud cover to fly into Atlanta, all non-native Georgians gasped at the sight of all the trees. We could hardly see the roads and buildings there was so much foliage. One lady said longingly, it's like Northern California. We're so rain deprived here it's pathetic.
Anyway, Bonnie took me to The Varsity, a local favorite! I tried the Frosted Orange, the chili cheese fries and a chili cheese hot dog. The FO was like a dreamsicle in a cup. Absolutely amazing. It has such a fun atmosphere. And the workers wear the cut little paper hats and belt, Whata ya have? to those ordering. It's quite the place. I thought it was absolutely, insanely busy while we were there, with over 27 registers open and lines spilled out into the dining room, but Bonnie assured me it was quite slow!
After eating we went downtown to this way cute planned city-within-a-city. It reminded me of San Francisco as all the houses were smooshed together and painted pretty colors. I had my first experience at an H&M. It was a fun shopping center with local artisans setting up around the street.
After my training, I'll have anywhere from four to 12 weeks of on the job training, where I'll be placed with a team somewhere in the world. They have teams in most every country around the world, so the sky's the limit. After that I'll have my own team, again, in a country somewhere. I'm terribly excited.
So, you ask, what is it you'll be doing? Well, I'll be an International Project Consultant, which you're thinking doesn't explain anything, and you're probably quite right, so I'll give you an overview. I'll be creating, designing and writing reports on the country I'm stationed in for magazines and newspapers like the New York Post.
And now for something completely different. Fun times in Atlanta! After my interviews on Friday, Bonnie showed me around Atlanta. It's a beautiful city with no more than 10 square feet ever without a tree. It's so green and leafy. When we had just flown under the cloud cover to fly into Atlanta, all non-native Georgians gasped at the sight of all the trees. We could hardly see the roads and buildings there was so much foliage. One lady said longingly, it's like Northern California. We're so rain deprived here it's pathetic.
Anyway, Bonnie took me to The Varsity, a local favorite! I tried the Frosted Orange, the chili cheese fries and a chili cheese hot dog. The FO was like a dreamsicle in a cup. Absolutely amazing. It has such a fun atmosphere. And the workers wear the cut little paper hats and belt, Whata ya have? to those ordering. It's quite the place. I thought it was absolutely, insanely busy while we were there, with over 27 registers open and lines spilled out into the dining room, but Bonnie assured me it was quite slow!
After eating we went downtown to this way cute planned city-within-a-city. It reminded me of San Francisco as all the houses were smooshed together and painted pretty colors. I had my first experience at an H&M. It was a fun shopping center with local artisans setting up around the street.
The End of a Season
The season is ending. The restaurants and hotels are closing and so is mine. The town has completely died. Where once there used to be bright and cheery hotels and restaurants are now only dark and empty shells of buildings. It's kind of creepy. And yet... I like to walk around at night because it's so peaceful. There is no one around. There are probably only 30 tourists in the entire town meaning, the beach is perfectly quite and empty. It's just me and the moon. And the moon is quite bright. I enjoy my late night walks.
Remember the colorful umbrellas and lounge chairs? Well they no longer line the beach. Now it looks like a regular beach, but I'm so used to it being covered with chairs and umbrellas that now it looks naked.
I was overlooking the beach taking the above picture, when I realized I was Queen of the Island. So I took a pic. Guess where the camera was.
And here is where all of the beach stuff went. Just piled up next to the side of the hotel next to us. It's odd and sad, but colorful!
Remember the colorful umbrellas and lounge chairs? Well they no longer line the beach. Now it looks like a regular beach, but I'm so used to it being covered with chairs and umbrellas that now it looks naked.
I was overlooking the beach taking the above picture, when I realized I was Queen of the Island. So I took a pic. Guess where the camera was.
And here is where all of the beach stuff went. Just piled up next to the side of the hotel next to us. It's odd and sad, but colorful!
Alpha Beach Hotel
This is my new hotel. I have an entire apartment to myself. It's so fabulous. I'm now in another city on Rhodes called Kolymbia. This is a really sleepy town. It's so cute and quiet. At this hotel there are a lot more Greek people working here. There is one guy from Serbia who's teaching me Serbian, one chic from Poland, one couple from Bulgaria and one chic from the Czech Republic and then one Greek/American chic. She grew up in Maryland and then moved back to Greece when she was 14? or so. It's a fun group.
This is the palm tree lined walk down to the beach. I enjoy it.
This is the front of the Alpha Beach Hotel. Those bikes are for the tourists to rent. The first one is the one I use (although, I get it for free).
This is the backside of the hotel. We are situated on a slight incline, so the steps at the end of the pool go down to the beach, bar and activity center.
This is the beach from in front of another hotel down the beach. Check out the color of the umbrellas and lounge chairs.
Now here is the exact same beach looking to the right. Notice the color of the umbrellas here. I never asked how the colors work, if a certain company or hotel has dibs on a certain color, or if it's to keep the beach looking like a rainbow. Who knows. But I thought it was interesting.
The Brits Love Me!
As my last night with my co-workers in Ladiko, we all went out for the last night. So as I was walking to the club with my Polish buddies, these two British chics starting talking with our group and when they realized I was American they absolutely loved it, and wouldn't let me stop talking. They actually said they loved my accent! Usually I'm the one fawning over theirs, but there you have it, they love me back. It was quite fun, although they didn't talk as much as I would have liked.
Meanwhile, clubbing with a bunch of crazy Polish co-workers is interesting. Not all of my co-workers were Polish, some were from Slovakia and Bulgaria, but they were all crazy. If you ever get the chance to go to Poland, or speak with Polish people, I would definitely recommend it! They sure know how to party.
Meanwhile, clubbing with a bunch of crazy Polish co-workers is interesting. Not all of my co-workers were Polish, some were from Slovakia and Bulgaria, but they were all crazy. If you ever get the chance to go to Poland, or speak with Polish people, I would definitely recommend it! They sure know how to party.
Kos
Kos is a really small island in the Dodecanese in the Adradic Sea. It is 4 miles from Turkey. On a clear day you can see the cliffs of Turkey! That is where I flew first. Then I went to the town of Marmari. It's a cute little town where the main mode of transportation is ATV. :) For the tourists of course. I stayed there for a few days until I wasn't jet lagged anymore. 
This is a pic from the dock to catch the ferries in Kos Town looking towards Turkey. That's how close Turkey is!
This is the sign that greets you when you get off the plane at the airport. It's dark, because the airport hadn't even opened yet. And yet, I was there...
This is a pic from the dock to catch the ferries in Kos Town looking towards Turkey. That's how close Turkey is!
I could cry
I figured out how to put the language back to English! Oh happy day. I have no idea how it changed in the first place! I figured it was because I was in Greece, but even when I came back to the states, it didn't go to English. So now I'll write about my time in Greece!
Help, Blogger's gone Greek too!
So, I haven't posted for a while, because Blogger has decided to only display Greek. I'm still not sure why. When I said "Go Greek" I meant it purely as a fun headline, not literally. And I can't seem to fix it. Mclissa had the bright idea to just learn Greek, but that doesn't seem to be working. Anyway, I finally figured out which link to click on to post something, so I guess now I can post again. But it's a pain.
Get Ready, Get Set, Go Greek!
I'm flying to Greece on Friday. I got a job at Marmari Beach Hotel on Kos Island. It's part of Greece, even though it is 4 km from Turkey. Go figure. I'm sad I'm not flying to England... Hopefully, I can save money, and go back! We shall see.
"New" Seven Wonders of the World?! I so don't think so...
I just heard about the so-called "New" Seven Wonders of the World results. Apparently there was a grassroots, online voting thing, for new seven wonders; as if people were tired of the already proven seven wonders. Meanwhile, Angkor Wat didn't make the cut. It's a fantastic site of a dozen or more temples built long ago. It's amazing really. It's so old and full of historical facts and beautiful architecture. It's definitely worth the title of Seven Wonder of the World. But that's not what I need to vent about. It's the fact that there was a call to vote online for new wonders. I can understand if it was a vote for new wonders, with the operative word being new. However, most of the delegates were from olden times like the Great Wall of China. There were only a few new architectural designs. While other countries were voting two and three times for their delegate, Cambodia didn't stand a chance. For the most part, Cambodians don't have access to a computer let alone the internet! How can there be a world vote for new wonders of the world, if the world isn't allowed to have a say. Although, that brings me to another tirade. There should be no "vote" for wonders of the world! They just are! Angkor Wat is all the Cambodians have! I mean, it’s their entire flag for pete’s sake. Take the beauty and sanctity of Angkor Wat away and what do they have? Phnom Penh. (And we don’t want to go there…)
Sadly, Stonehenge didn't make the cut either. Hello, it took over 1,000 years to construct! I think that's pretty wondrous. People think Stonehenge is only what you see, however, it’s so much more than that! We only see two thirds of the stones. Another one third is stuck in the ground! Another interesting fact is where the stones came from to form the hanging structure. The stones weren't cut from around Amsbury, England. They were actually hauled in from Wales, several hundred miles away! To think of the absolute power and mystery surrounding Stonehenge makes the mind boggle. Stonehenge embodies endurance and intrigue. My only consolation is the fact it is still among the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Although, that spot might be taken away, if another group decides to have another vote.
As for the wonders they picked, I have no idea why Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue, Italy's Colosseum or India's Taj Mahal made the list. The Great Wall of China totally deserves a spot. It is quite remarkable, and I don’t contest that decision at all. And I am not contesting the other ancient remnants of civilizations that made the list, as they are quite remarkable. However, what’s with the Colosseum? It’s half gone! What kind of wonder doesn't last the ages? I ask you. And why did Christ the Redeemer make the list and not The Eiffel Tower or The Statue of Liberty as well? They are pretty much all the same. They are just huge statues. Every country seems to have one these days. And I probably just seemed totally blasphemous with that last statement, but I’m not saying Christ the Redeemer is lame, I’m just saying it isn’t unique enough to be called a wonder. True, I have yet to see these three in person. With that said, I will probably eat my words when I experience them up close, but for now I'm incredulous. Whatever anyone, or any list says, Stonehenge and Angkor Wat will always be Seven Wonders of the World, ancient or otherwise.
I don’t really know why I have such strong feelings on this subject. I mean, who cares what people are voting about, especially since I didn’t even know this vote happened? Who cares what they picked? I guess it’s the fact that I've only ever seen two wonders of the world in my entire life. They both happened to be this year. The exact year this insipid vote took place. I wonder if maybe I may have tainted the two awe inspiring structures with my presence. I think I’m just sad that the only two wonders I’ve ever seen have been demoted. So what am I left with?
Now I’ve heard the results, I do remember seeing a sign while driving up to Angkor Wat asking people to vote for it in the election. But at the time, it was in passing and I remember wondering why there would be new seven wonders. There have been Seven Wonders of the World, for so long, how can that list be changed? And if it were to be changed, why would people vote? Wonders just are. A vote doesn't need to happen. With these thoughts, I forgot about it.
Sadly, Stonehenge didn't make the cut either. Hello, it took over 1,000 years to construct! I think that's pretty wondrous. People think Stonehenge is only what you see, however, it’s so much more than that! We only see two thirds of the stones. Another one third is stuck in the ground! Another interesting fact is where the stones came from to form the hanging structure. The stones weren't cut from around Amsbury, England. They were actually hauled in from Wales, several hundred miles away! To think of the absolute power and mystery surrounding Stonehenge makes the mind boggle. Stonehenge embodies endurance and intrigue. My only consolation is the fact it is still among the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Although, that spot might be taken away, if another group decides to have another vote.
As for the wonders they picked, I have no idea why Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue, Italy's Colosseum or India's Taj Mahal made the list. The Great Wall of China totally deserves a spot. It is quite remarkable, and I don’t contest that decision at all. And I am not contesting the other ancient remnants of civilizations that made the list, as they are quite remarkable. However, what’s with the Colosseum? It’s half gone! What kind of wonder doesn't last the ages? I ask you. And why did Christ the Redeemer make the list and not The Eiffel Tower or The Statue of Liberty as well? They are pretty much all the same. They are just huge statues. Every country seems to have one these days. And I probably just seemed totally blasphemous with that last statement, but I’m not saying Christ the Redeemer is lame, I’m just saying it isn’t unique enough to be called a wonder. True, I have yet to see these three in person. With that said, I will probably eat my words when I experience them up close, but for now I'm incredulous. Whatever anyone, or any list says, Stonehenge and Angkor Wat will always be Seven Wonders of the World, ancient or otherwise.
I don’t really know why I have such strong feelings on this subject. I mean, who cares what people are voting about, especially since I didn’t even know this vote happened? Who cares what they picked? I guess it’s the fact that I've only ever seen two wonders of the world in my entire life. They both happened to be this year. The exact year this insipid vote took place. I wonder if maybe I may have tainted the two awe inspiring structures with my presence. I think I’m just sad that the only two wonders I’ve ever seen have been demoted. So what am I left with?
Now I’ve heard the results, I do remember seeing a sign while driving up to Angkor Wat asking people to vote for it in the election. But at the time, it was in passing and I remember wondering why there would be new seven wonders. There have been Seven Wonders of the World, for so long, how can that list be changed? And if it were to be changed, why would people vote? Wonders just are. A vote doesn't need to happen. With these thoughts, I forgot about it.
Stonehenge
Yes, I saw Stonehenge! It is absolutely amazing! What they don't tell you in school is one third of the rocks are in the ground! So actually the stones are even bigger than they look! I couldn't believe what an absolutely gorgeous day it was. We had just come off of Bank Holiday weekend, which means rainy days, so we were scared. However, the sky was blue and as the day went on all the clouds in the sky left. I got some great pictures!
Stonehenge: with and without me.
After our walk in the past, we went to Longleat an estate near Stonehenge. It's a cool safari/attraction park. There are animals at every turn. They have a butterfly garden, a boat ride to see hippos and sea lions and a safari park with lions, tigers and... buffalo. It's a beautiful estate and the animals give it an extra something.
This is a picture at the bat mines. It was so cool having the bats soar around you in the dark! I took a ton of pictures, but it was too dark to see the bats in the actual picture. (Photography with flash is prohibited.) Sadness.
Friendly? An interesting choice of adjectives... Haha!
Stonehenge: with and without me.
After our walk in the past, we went to Longleat an estate near Stonehenge. It's a cool safari/attraction park. There are animals at every turn. They have a butterfly garden, a boat ride to see hippos and sea lions and a safari park with lions, tigers and... buffalo. It's a beautiful estate and the animals give it an extra something.
This is a picture at the bat mines. It was so cool having the bats soar around you in the dark! I took a ton of pictures, but it was too dark to see the bats in the actual picture. (Photography with flash is prohibited.) Sadness.
Friendly? An interesting choice of adjectives... Haha!
Where's Mr. Darcy?
I visited Pemberley, the home of Mr. Darcy! In real life it's called Lyme Park. Sadly, I didn't see Mr. Darcy, though I kept watch for him the entire time I roamed the grounds. I kept thinking he would emerge from the lake in front of the house, and then I would get flustered and demand to leave the property at once. Meanwhile, he would help me into my carriage and ask my Uncle to fish with him. Unfortunately, he never showed up, so I wasn't able to recite that scene. However, I couldn't help saying lines from other scenes as I walked around, "And to think, of all this, I could have been Mistress." I think they used a different estate for the inside shots though. The inside didn't look anything like the movie.
British to American Dictionary
I thought I should put a few of the words that translate differently. Most of these I already knew thanks to Vikki and Mark, but to some it might seem like another language!
Aerial - Antennae
Bangers and Mash - Sausages and Mashed Potatoes
Bin - Trash Can
Biscuits - Cookies
Bonnet - Hood
Boot - Trunk
Carriageway - Road
Chips - French Fries
Choc - Chocolate
Cloakroom - Restroom
Crazy Golf - Miniature Golf
Crisps - Chips
Crumpet - English Muffinish
Draughts - Checkers
Dual Carriageway - Road
Dustbin - Trash Can
Ensuite - Master Bath
Fizzy Drink - Soda
Football - Soccer
Footpath - Sidewalk
Hash sign - Pound sign
Kip - Nap
Lemonade - Sprite, 7-UP
Lift - Elevator
Loo - Restroom
Lorry - Semi (truck)
Mind the gap - Watch your step
Motorway - Highway
Nappies - Diapers
Pants - Underwear
Pear-shaped - To go wrong
Petrol - Gas (used in Taiwan too)
Pie - Meat Pastry
Pram/Push chair - Stroller
Queue - Line
Roasties - Roasted Potatoes
Rubbish - Garbage
Tea - Dinner
Trousers - Pants
Uni - University
"What you doing, nice?" - Hello
Windscreen - Windshield
Zed - Z
I know there are many more, but I can't think of them at this time. I'll post more when I remember.
Aerial - Antennae
Bangers and Mash - Sausages and Mashed Potatoes
Bin - Trash Can
Biscuits - Cookies
Bonnet - Hood
Boot - Trunk
Carriageway - Road
Chips - French Fries
Choc - Chocolate
Cloakroom - Restroom
Crazy Golf - Miniature Golf
Crisps - Chips
Crumpet - English Muffinish
Draughts - Checkers
Dual Carriageway - Road
Dustbin - Trash Can
Ensuite - Master Bath
Fizzy Drink - Soda
Football - Soccer
Footpath - Sidewalk
Hash sign - Pound sign
Kip - Nap
Lemonade - Sprite, 7-UP
Lift - Elevator
Loo - Restroom
Lorry - Semi (truck)
Mind the gap - Watch your step
Motorway - Highway
Nappies - Diapers
Pants - Underwear
Pear-shaped - To go wrong
Petrol - Gas (used in Taiwan too)
Pie - Meat Pastry
Pram/Push chair - Stroller
Queue - Line
Roasties - Roasted Potatoes
Rubbish - Garbage
Tea - Dinner
Trousers - Pants
Uni - University
"What you doing, nice?" - Hello
Windscreen - Windshield
Zed - Z
I know there are many more, but I can't think of them at this time. I'll post more when I remember.
Exchange rates suck!
Oh my goodness England is expensive! It's crazy enough with our dollar equaling two of theirs without me having the background I have. I've just come from Asia where one USD goes up to 16,000 of their money! It's like dirt cheap there, and of all places I go to England next. Sigh.
So far it is $7.50 per gallon of gas! Yikes! Although, California isn't too far behind! They add their tax into all the prices. Their tax is about 17%! And I thought an 8% tax was bad in Monterey!
So far it is $7.50 per gallon of gas! Yikes! Although, California isn't too far behind! They add their tax into all the prices. Their tax is about 17%! And I thought an 8% tax was bad in Monterey!
Alton Towers
I lost my voice today at Alton Towers! It's a great theme park with thrills and chills! Air is the Six Flags version of Tatsu and rocks just as well! Nemisis' claim to fame is flying over several red waterfalls! It was a fun day full of awesome roller coasters. Rita is the fastest one by far using magnets to automatically start the speed with no warning! Well, technically they give warning. A light turns green to let you know when the ride starts . However, the magnets hurl you so fast that the green light is already a blur the second the light changes to green! It's crazy fun!
This ride is called Submission.
Vikki and I on the swings. A classic.
Meet Rita, the Queen of Speed. She goes from 0 to 100 mph in 2.5 seconds!
This ride is called Submission.
Vikki and I on the swings. A classic.
Meet Rita, the Queen of Speed. She goes from 0 to 100 mph in 2.5 seconds!
My first double decker ride!
Vikki took me around Birmingham New Street and Northridge. It's a fabulous part of town! It's always so green with tons of trees around. And there are plenty of parks and grassy areas as well.
I had my first double decker bus ride today! It was awesome! Although I'm not sure the other passengers enjoyed my camera-happy outlook. We went up top to the front of the bus. You haven't properly seen Birmingham, until you've seen it from the top of a double decker. I wiped out my camera and took a video. I didn't mind looking like a fool, however, I wasn't in backpacker land, so no one else was anxious to make memories on their trip and consequently thought I was silly.
I had my first double decker bus ride today! It was awesome! Although I'm not sure the other passengers enjoyed my camera-happy outlook. We went up top to the front of the bus. You haven't properly seen Birmingham, until you've seen it from the top of a double decker. I wiped out my camera and took a video. I didn't mind looking like a fool, however, I wasn't in backpacker land, so no one else was anxious to make memories on their trip and consequently thought I was silly.
Next stop: England!
I'm leaving next Tuesday for Birmingham, UK. I'll be there for a month to visit Vikki and Mark! Hopefully I can make it permenant by finding a job. I have some interviews lined up, so we shall see how they go. I'll be in Birmingham and London for most of my time there. I'm excited to be in another country which speaks my language. This will be a first for me! I'm looking forward to communication wih words and not hand motions. Although, I think I might miss the eternal game of charades.
Getting into Cambodia
Ah, Cambodia. If it weren't for the guy from D.C., I'd still be at the border town trying to get in. You may think I'm kidding. But I'm not.
Our bus ride over there was amazing. It was this huge, double-decker, spacious tour bus. I slept the whole way, which could be seen as not taking advantage of the fact that for once we had actual tables built into the floor, but really, it was the first really nice plushy bus that I could sleep in and be comfortable, so I condone what I did as taking advantage, and not under using it.
We arrived at a restaurant near Poipet, the Thailand/Cambodia border town to wait, for what, I still don't know. They said we would need to give them our passports, 1,200 baht (about $36) and they would take care of our Cambodian visas. Most everyone did just that, but when we said we would pay at the border so we didn't need their service, they got angry. Apparently we weren't going to pad their wallet, and they were expecting it. Everyone was done eating for at least two hours before the bus came back. Yes, that's right, the bus left us there. It was quite frightening for those who gave their passports away! There were a couple of scared moments as some of the passengers realized that this might be a scam to get passports and cash. Thankfully the bus came back and took us to the border, with the understanding that those with their Cambodian visas would be able to continue on the tour, and those who didn't take their service wouldn't (that would be me...). We were quite through with being taken advantage of, so we made our case why they should wait for us as we got our visas. We'd had to get visas in Indonesia and it took all of 10 minutes. We were worried, but not enough to take any scams! We got to the border and breezed through the Thailand side. When we got to the Cambodian side, things weren't so easy. A guy from the tour decided to go with us, since we almost rioted. He led us to the visa line. We asked for our visas, handed him our passports and our crisp $20 bill (all money must be new and crisp, or it won't be honored) and Kari gave him her picture, and I my 100 baht, since I forgot my pictures back in Taiwan. The guard said it would be 1000 baht ($30) plus 100 baht without a picture. We looked at him. We looked at the sign above the window. (Cambodian passports - 20 USD) We said it was $20, and if he would be so kind as to take our money and passports. Again, he said 1000 baht. We said no, $20. He looked at us, and shut the window. We laughed a little, knocked on the window and started the process all over again. By now another guy had joined us to get his passport. He asked us what was going on, so we pointed to the sign and said, visas are $20 and the guy wants 1000 baht. Each time, I took our documents to the window and each time I was rejected. I am sick of scams. I am sick of it! We tried several times, and I noticed he never touched anything I had in my hand. None of the guys in the office even tried to help, or look through our documents. I realized why, and told the guy to take our stuff and tell them what's what. They opened the window, took our documents and printed out our visas. I asked where I needed to go to get my picture taken, and a helper said to wait. After all that, our tour guide asked us how much we paid. I had quite forgotten he was there. When we said $20, for that is how much it costs, he said “Good” as if he was glad we didn’t get scammed, as if he cared! I thought it pretty shoddy he didn't help us at all. He knew it was $20 and yet he never said we could pay it. The guard gave our documents back to the guy from D.C. and I realized I was taken again. I never thought the money for the picture would be a scam as well. Sigh, I guess you can't win everything.
Our bus ride over there was amazing. It was this huge, double-decker, spacious tour bus. I slept the whole way, which could be seen as not taking advantage of the fact that for once we had actual tables built into the floor, but really, it was the first really nice plushy bus that I could sleep in and be comfortable, so I condone what I did as taking advantage, and not under using it.
We arrived at a restaurant near Poipet, the Thailand/Cambodia border town to wait, for what, I still don't know. They said we would need to give them our passports, 1,200 baht (about $36) and they would take care of our Cambodian visas. Most everyone did just that, but when we said we would pay at the border so we didn't need their service, they got angry. Apparently we weren't going to pad their wallet, and they were expecting it. Everyone was done eating for at least two hours before the bus came back. Yes, that's right, the bus left us there. It was quite frightening for those who gave their passports away! There were a couple of scared moments as some of the passengers realized that this might be a scam to get passports and cash. Thankfully the bus came back and took us to the border, with the understanding that those with their Cambodian visas would be able to continue on the tour, and those who didn't take their service wouldn't (that would be me...). We were quite through with being taken advantage of, so we made our case why they should wait for us as we got our visas. We'd had to get visas in Indonesia and it took all of 10 minutes. We were worried, but not enough to take any scams! We got to the border and breezed through the Thailand side. When we got to the Cambodian side, things weren't so easy. A guy from the tour decided to go with us, since we almost rioted. He led us to the visa line. We asked for our visas, handed him our passports and our crisp $20 bill (all money must be new and crisp, or it won't be honored) and Kari gave him her picture, and I my 100 baht, since I forgot my pictures back in Taiwan. The guard said it would be 1000 baht ($30) plus 100 baht without a picture. We looked at him. We looked at the sign above the window. (Cambodian passports - 20 USD) We said it was $20, and if he would be so kind as to take our money and passports. Again, he said 1000 baht. We said no, $20. He looked at us, and shut the window. We laughed a little, knocked on the window and started the process all over again. By now another guy had joined us to get his passport. He asked us what was going on, so we pointed to the sign and said, visas are $20 and the guy wants 1000 baht. Each time, I took our documents to the window and each time I was rejected. I am sick of scams. I am sick of it! We tried several times, and I noticed he never touched anything I had in my hand. None of the guys in the office even tried to help, or look through our documents. I realized why, and told the guy to take our stuff and tell them what's what. They opened the window, took our documents and printed out our visas. I asked where I needed to go to get my picture taken, and a helper said to wait. After all that, our tour guide asked us how much we paid. I had quite forgotten he was there. When we said $20, for that is how much it costs, he said “Good” as if he was glad we didn’t get scammed, as if he cared! I thought it pretty shoddy he didn't help us at all. He knew it was $20 and yet he never said we could pay it. The guard gave our documents back to the guy from D.C. and I realized I was taken again. I never thought the money for the picture would be a scam as well. Sigh, I guess you can't win everything.
The first thing you see as you leave the Thailand debarkation line!
We then we went to the line to enter the country. It was quite long and we could see our fellow tour groupies at the front of the line. After all our hassle, they were only about 10 people ahead. When they all finished up, we got a little antsy that our group would leave us. We tried to hurry up the line by singing the Cambodian national anthem. However, we didn't actually know the national anthem, so we interchanged words with anthems we knew the theme too. (O Cambodia, how much we love this place... and so on) We finally got through the line and found our group around the corner standing around waiting for who knows what. Our D.C. friend told us of the money exchanging scam, so we luckily dodged that one, although, I bet we wouldn't have fallen into it, even if we hadn't known about it, especially after all we'd been through, and read online.
So here's the scam, just for kicks and giggles. A guy in a motorbike drives up and asks if you have Riel (the Cambodian money). You of course don't have it, and he says, the only money honored in Cambodia is the Riel, so you'll have to come along with him on his motorbike to buy the Riel, where they give it to you at half the price you would get at a bank.
We met another guy from Spain who we wanted to be our new Fab, and it all seemed like it was to happen. However, we had to part with our D.C. and Spanish friend as they were in another bus. After another hour of waiting (who said we wouldn't make the tour bus?) we finally got onto a bus and what a bus it was! Everyone told us about the horrible road to Siem Reap and the sad bus standards, but our bus was quite nice! We were amazed. We drove down the street for about two seconds, and then got to the bus station. We had to get off and into another bus. We fondly named it: The Pink Nightmare. It was small, with no A/C and the entire inside was done over in Pepto-Bismol Pink. The chairs, ceiling, walls and all were pink. It was weird. The road to Siem Reap wasn't really that bad. The road wasn't paved at all and consequently was bumpy, but nothing will ever come close to the train ride to Bangkok. I don’t' know why everyone talks about the bus to Siem Reap, but it probably has to do with the fact no one has ever had lows like Kari and I have. But it wasn't a bad ride at all. The only bad part was the dirt... There was no A/C on our bus, so the entire time all of the windows (except the ones next to Kari and me) were open letting in all the dirt stirred up into the air by the bus. Sadly, we were caked with dirt an inch thick when we arrived at our lodge... I really wish I bought a facemask in Taiwan. There aren't any towns from the border to Siem Reap except one, about two hours from Siem Reap. The ride was about six hours long, and yet there were some bathroom breaks. You might wonder how there were bathroom breaks, when I just said there were no stops or towns between the two points. Well, the bus just pulled to the side of the road, and all the guys got out. Yup, they made their own bathroom on the side of the road with the women in the bus a little confused as to why we stopped. It was an interesting ride to say the least.
Here's a video of the Pink Nightmare:
And here's a video of the "bathroom (and I use that term, very loosely) breaks"
The Cambodian countryside.
At the end of the day, we learned of another scam. We stopped at a restaurant at the town before Siem Reap and met up with our Spanish and D.C. guy. They told us they take as much time to get to Siem Reap as possible, so that we get in late. They don't stop at the bus center, or city center. They stop at an expensive hostel and offer discounts, to the weary travelers, knowing it is too late to get around. It almost worked; however, with Kari and I around, we were sure to keep everyone else honest! We rioted and got half the bus to refuse to get off until they dropped us off where they promised to drop us off. Ah, it's good to be mutinous. It worked and we got dropped off at the city center, where we walked to Jasmine Lodge. We asked for the cheapest room. Started to unpack, couldn't hack it in the community bathroom with no light and had to move. Yes, we couldn't hack it in the cheap rooms, and had to ask for a room with a bathroom!
I was so gross from our open window drive that I decided to shower and then moist towelette myself as well as my luggage! I swear, the water from my shower was so brown, even after standing in the shower for some time, it was just sick.
This is actually the sign on the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, consequently it was taken leaving Cambodia, but whatever.
Bangkok, Thailand
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster! Temples, temples and more temples. We got templed out after two... Hehe. Greatfully, we had enough diversions to hold our attention. I got my first suit tailored at a cool shop named Oscars near Khao San Road! The tailor shops line the street one after another. It's rather odd. I had no idea they would be so numerous. Who would think to go to Thailand to get measured and fitted? I didn't that's for sure, but I fell for its spell. I never had a tailor before, but love the whole experience, and got used to someone doing everything for me! I got a way cute three piece suit in black cashmere with a black pinstripe variation.
Since we couldn't stand to do the temple thing for longer than three hours, we had a salon day instead. It was relaxing and oh so cheap! And yet again, I was subject to ridicule from the backpacker society. I was a backpacker getting a manicure and pedicure! I backpacked through Asia with a french manicure. That's bad!
This is us in front of the longest reclining buddha in the world at Wat Pho. It is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. The next picture is us outside of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo about to create a riot. Heeheehee, after us, this tour group all had to take pictures in the pose.
This is the first falafel pita I've ever had. It was dang good! Actually it was the first falafel I've seen. I've heard about them before, but really had no idea what it was. We met some guys who told us what falafels are, but I still don't know, so don't ask. This is us doing the "wai" with Ronal McDonald on Khao San Road! Ah, the memories.
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