Cambodia or Bust!

Well kids, having $300 stolen on an over night bus while I was sleep has not deterred me from overnight travel - oh no no no. This time however I'm going into this entirely prepared to catch the perpetrator in action. I have placed money in ever orpheus of my back pack, in my socks, sown a secret pocket under my shirt, fastened my money belt to my panties and wired it all into a trick wire harnessed to my necklace that produce a riveting bolt of shocking electric energy should anyone try and touch me in my sleep.

I hope I don't electrocute myself when we stop for a bathroom break. Ha!

So I'm leaving tonight - yes, on an over night bus heading out of this tourist death trap of Khoa San back into the depth of what makes traveling to me so much fun. Real people. Tomorrow morning I will be waking up in Cambodia. A country I truly love. A country I can't get enough of. A country that offers me something entirely different each and every time I go there.

This time, its a volunteer position working with children, fundraising, marketing and helping build a guest house. I couldn't be more thrilled to have such a wonderful opportunity fall at my feet. So, for the next 2 or 3 months, depending on my money situation, I will be living, working and breathing everything that is Khmer.

If your at all interested in the project and the people I will be working with check out their website - www.seametrey.org

I start Monday. Wish me luck!

The Royal Ass

So it turns out that buddy who got my $300 and visa card, was able to make it to an electronic store before I was able to cancel my card. Take a guess how much he charged. Common, because really how much can someone charge to a credit card in Thailand considering the price of good here.

Well buddy must have bought a brand new surround system for his friggen hut. Roughly $900 Canadian...$900!!! Can anyone do the math on that one. $300 USD plus $900 CDN. That's close to $1500 freaking dollars!!!!!!!!!!

I spent the day at the police station, on the phone and in tears.

But something funny did happen today. I needed to go to the doctor for a COLPOSCOPY appointment (gentle, its female stuff) before I head to Cambodia. So I've been chatting with the international Hospital trying to organize an appointment so everything runs smoothly.

Well buddy on the other end of the computer is telling me I require two appointments. Now why do I need two appointments, I ask. He tells me one is to clear my bowel and the next is to follow through with the procedure.

I'm confused, I'm not understanding. Does my intestine press on my uterus? I don't get it. So I'm laying in bed last night wondering what the hell they are going to be doing to me in the morning when I decide to get up and look at the paper.

Kay, ready for the laugh.

Buddy booked me for a colonoscopy - cleansing of the bowel. Not a colposcopy. I thought I'd fall out of bed laughing. Could you imagine the pain in having a doctor blow up my bowel, make me ingest putrid medicine, not eating for 2 days and all because of a simple spelling mistake.
Getting my bowel cleansed in Bangkok . Jesus now that's funny.

Bus Rides

I want to scream and hit all small brown Thai people on the head right now. I got my money and visa card stolen last night on the over night bus from the south up to Bangkok. Grrrrrrrr. I've been being so good about not spending my money and budgeting...and then this shit happens. $300!!!

Do you have any idea how far that will get a person in this country.

That's a month in Cambodia.

I find myself wondering if the rest of the bus had things stolen or of I was the special target?

Funny part is, it was probably another traveler. Why? They left my passport.

Saturday Morning

I'm still kicking it in Koh Samui, running on the beach, wearing flowers in my hair and working on my tan. What a beautiful place. I have to laugh that I'm having such an enjoyable time here. Typically I'm the one person who detests all things touristy. But quite honestly, its been really really really nice.

I somehow met these 4 Canadian dudes a week back. And even though they come from Edmonton I decided to give them a chance and have been hob nobbing it with them. They're on vacation so they're super spending supreme. Dropping $100 here and a $100 there. Here a $100 there a $100 everywhere a $100. My jaw hangs open that people actually travel like that. Here I am in my grass hut that I feel I'm paying to much money for. I have a shower and a bed and I'm happier than the Skipper. Then I stop by to pick up my buddies and they have toilet paper, shampoos, a bar fridge, tv, air con....a pool. Who goes to a beach resort and then spends their time swimming in their hotel pool?

Actually I know that answer, its the people serving margaretta's with umbrella straws that make you stay there on the patio furniture.

So the fellas left yesterday and wouldn't you know 30 year old Canadian boys are still youthful in the heart. They decide on a fire work show. And since fire works are fully legal here they went nuts. They spent $500 on fireworks. $500!! You know how many fireworks that is. We had the whole beach lite up, people video taping, doing the oooohhh ahhh thing. It was amazing. Amazing that they could spend more money on a 15 mintute firework show than most Thai people could dream of making in a month or even a few months.

Great times though, great times. They've gone back to Bangkok and I'm heading their shortly. I start my volunteer position in Cambodia at the end of next week. I'm really excited to get myself settled into a home, make some friends and learn a whole new business.

Enjoy your weekend!

People

Usually when a person travels in a foreign country they enjoy meeting the local people, understanding the culture and gaining perspective of another way of life. That's not the case in Thailand. You meet other travelers and local travelers who have gotten lost in Asia just like me. It makes for some great parties but allow a person to get too caught up in the tourist party game.

Thus far this trip I have learned two things about myself that have been comments passed onto me during drunken interactions with other travelers.

1. I'm head strung.

Me? I was utterly surprised, and mildly offended - after all, he's only a stranger. What does he know about me after 5 minutes...ha! Now to me when someone says the words head and strung at the same time I personally don't think it sounds like a compliment. Although he swears it was. Head...strung....I hear opinionated bitch. Hmmm. And coming from a male whose species I at times wouldn't mind begin eliminated...let the first execution begin.

Comment 2. I'm afraid of Lesbians.

I might not particularly prefer lesbians over the heterosexual race but I wouldn't say I'm afraid of them. They make me uncomfortable only because I know if I'm as desirable to gay women in the same way straight men line up around my corner...I'm in trouble. Ha! But really who am I to judge when I can't keep a boyfriend for more that a few months at a time. I can honestly say that lesbians are the least of my concerns in a country full of lady boys and cheap prostitutes. "They" have never been a real big concern for me unless you count very select moments in my life where lesbians have seen a green light where there has been none.

Then again men see the same green light quit often too, hmm...that's bizarre. Like mom always said, I like collecting people more than possessions. Speaking of possessions...

I met this really cool dude from Edmonton the other night. We spent the evening wining and dining on street food and cheap convenient store beers before I escorted him to the Lady Boy show where we shared a very interesting time among his other 3 friends. As he snapped pictures of the event, I mentioned to him my camera display had broken and I had been cameraless for the past few months.

He gave me his digital camera.

I tell no lies ladies.

Kindness finds me in the strangest ways....

The Search

For the past 2 weeks I've returned to Thailand. Have I every mentioned to anyone before just how much I detest Bangkok. Its great fun when your in a group and have major party plans but when your on your own, looking for a job / volunteer position by hacking at a computer 4 hours a day I'd rather be anywhere else but in the pollution and congestion.

Enter long lost friend.

So I'm walking down Khao San minding my own business, looking as gorgous as possible for all the available male travelers shopping on the street when I spot another glamorous female, not more than 5 feet in front of me doing just the same. It's my dear friend Kristy whom I have not seen in 3 years, and have not actually spent time with in 10 years. We use to play sports together when we were 13 years old. Imagine my absolute delight not only to actually recognize her in such a large crowd but to discovery she too is out loose on her own.

End job search.

Now what is a girl to do but ditch her strict routine of extreme determination, and disaplined job searching and make for the beach with a dear friend I just simply must catch up with. We head off to Koh Samed.

Enter more Canadians.

On the boat over we meet some younger girls from B.C who are really cool, chilled out and being Canadian...funny as hell. Throw in one drunk Irish chick and its a wild party for 3 days. By day three I'm feeling guilty, I'm suppose to be finding work - not traveling, partying and spending my savings.

A job offer.

After 3 days on the beach, in the bar and relative seclusion I head to the email to check up on life else where. Wouldn't you know my luck, I have an interview. Back to the ferry, jump on a bus and make my way back to Bangkok for my very first interview overseas. I'm scared and excited but mostly releived to know my emails are being recieved by someone. I put on my nicest outfit, apply just a touch of glitter and head down to The 4 Seasons shopping district. We're talking the highest classest place in Bangkok. I bit my tounge and walked in.

Still jobless.

Kristy headed up to Chang Mai and left me in the great company of Tamara and Jenny - the 2 fabulous Canadian girls. Before I knew it my urges got the best of me and I'm back on another bus, taking another ferry, sleeping in another hut on some random beach, itching to take my Search and Rescue Safety Diving Course.

Debit $400 to my account.

I'm now in the process of becoming Bay Watch's hottest new star. I figure I'll continue to cut my loses until I make it to Hollywood.