So it's been a month, I've seen Angkor Wat - number one on my list for SE Asia and I've learned to dive - one of the many things on my list of things to do before i die (sad i know to have a list). I have this feeling i will never be back to Cambodia, but truly who can know. So what are my impressions?
I'm repeatedly told that the people are friendly, yet i find them capitalists with a great sense of humour. :-/
It's an interesting mix and generally means you can laugh while getting ripped off.
The yes mentality. You have to be very careful how you phrase a question because the answer is always yes.
Parts of the country are simply beautiful, parts are just coated in rubbish.
I love the dress sense, how often do you see people go around in pyjamas with teddy bears on, and all in the middle of the day. If the pyjamas are bright yellow - even better :)
I hate being looked at as a wallet - it's true of all the Asian countries I've been in, i will never get used to it, but i know I can't blame them. i need to get a t-shirt in the local language telling them nicely to get lost - the equvalent of a no thanks to cold callers in England.
The noise, the noise, Esmeralda, the noise - this place is NEVER quiet.
The fumes, the tuk-tuks, the motos, "moto my friend", "where you go", it never stops. Combine the smells and the noise and it really is easy to get overwhelmed, no wonder people have culture shock.
The beach, so i've spent 13 nights of my 30 on the beach. It's not that there aren't other places to go....honest. Seafood, sunsets, sand everywhere...
I enjoyed Cambodia though - an experience worth having. The negative things are only going to get worse i think in the short term - you better go while you can.
Amedment a few week after: i realise this isn't exactly a glowing endorsement for Cambodia. Yes there's bad...but there's also Angkor, and i DID really enjoy the place...
