On Arrival: Cambodia

Jaimie’s Story:
While we were sad to leave Vietnam, after 10 long days we were eager to get started on the next leg of our journey: Cambodia. We arrived at the airport three hours early, just to be safe. The airport was nice and comfortable, nothing remarkable. I did get some fries from a Burger King while we waited. It’s kind of crazy because I’ve never actually eaten at a Burger King at home but I did in Vietnam. I’m more of Taco Bell and In N Out type of girl.

Our flight to Siem Reap was short, just shy of two hours. When we got there, we were a little nervous because our driver was no where to be seen. Dozens of guys were holding paper signs but none of them said Smeraski on it. We tried to call the hostel on WiFi but it wasn’t working. The automated voice just kept telling us to dial 9-1-1. Thankfully he showed up before we wandered off. As we walked out of the airport we saw a bunch of carts hooked up to motorbikes. These are called Tuk Tuks and was the very ride we would be taking. It was a bumpy but enjoyable and kept us cool while allowing us to see a little more of the city.

We arrived at our hostel, Onederz, by around 7PM. It’s bumping! Cambodia is definitely a hot spot for young hipster travelers to come and party. There are tattoo parlors on every corner and a large number of bars near by. I’m glad AJ splurged and got us the private room away from the dorm life scene. That first night we grabbed a quick bite at a local Khmer restaurant. The food was really great and much heartier than in Vietnam. I ordered the curry, excited to have something other than rice noodles. AJ got the beef Lok Lak, a clear winner. This stir fried beef dish is a staple on Cambodia menus and I can see why.

In Cambodia, the official currency is called Riel but mostly you use US dollars. Riel is only used for change or things costing less than $1. Anything else, the dollar is used. How convenient. In Vietnam, 500,000 Dong is about $22, but feels like a ton! I mean, it’s hundreds of thousands. It’s a lot easier to conceptualize cost in the currency (and amounts) we are used to. Before we went to bed we stopped at the 7-11 by our hostel (yes, 7-11, but it’s rather off-brand) to load up on water. We paid with a Riel note gifted to us by my uncle at our wedding. As we handed it to the cashier, he burst out laughing! Apparently the bill was older than he was. He let us use it, but did say he’d have to trade it at the bank as they aren’t in circulation anymore. Makes me think maybe we should keep the rest as collectors items.

The next morning we rented mountain bikes and cruised around the city. You can rent cruisers at the hostel for $2 but we splurged and got a bike with gears as we plan to use them for the next three days, including getting to, from and around the temple grounds. Cambodia is a lot less walkable than Vietnam. It’s much more spread out, the roads are less paved, and it’s hot. Super hot. It’s supposed to be winter but it’s still 85 degrees and humid. Thankfully, flowy genie pants and linen shirts are all the rage here. I’ve stocked up on inexpensive local clothes and will be rocking it all week long.

AJ’s Story:
Throughout our trip Jaimie has taken several picture of the back and side of my head highlighting my need for a fresh haircut. I neglected to get a haircut before I left for this trip mostly just due to general post-wedding and pre-honeymoon busyness. Seeing myself in so many pictures, made me realize how long and unkept my hair had become.

I kept bugging Jaimie to trim my neck when we got back to which ever hotel we are staying at, but each time we’d forget. Then I would see another picture of myself and ask her again, on and on. Until while on our bike ride in Cambodia Jaimie pointed to barbershop on the corner.

Now when people say hole in the wall, this was hole in the wall. It literally didn’t have a whole wall. Where the fourth wall was supposed to be opened up into a dirt road next to a river.

I instructed the barber to clean up the back of my neck and around the ears. Nothing fancy. He was only charging me $3. His first cut was serious one. I could see Jaimie quiver out of the corner of my eye. He started with essentially buzzing the side of my head all the way around. At this point I’d resigned myself to getting a bad haircut, and probably having to buzz it later, but I was curious to see where this was going to go.

Jaimie watched in horror from a seat down by the river for the next 15 minutes. Terror in her eyes with the occasionally nervous laughter. She watched her handsome husband become Lloyd from dumb and dumber with a fade on either side.

I gave him 3 dollar bills and we were on our way. I was more positive on the outcome of the haircut knowing it always looks bad after a cut. But we had both agreed that a buzz was probably in order.

After we got back to the hostel I took a shower and brushed my hair to the side. We decided that it’s just different and I look kind of hip. I think I just found my new look for the new decade. Hello 2020s!