LouLou the Travel Bug: Ohhh Siem Reap, my heart's favorite

After the Christmas party I went to Honour Village every day just to spend time with the kids. The ten days went by so quickly, it was like punishment. In Myanmar all I wanted was for time to speed up and the days to pass so I could get to Cambodia... now they wouldn't slow down. I was swinging on the swings with Raht one day when Van the assistant-manager walked by. I asked Van to translate to Raht, just to let him know, that I was only staying for 10 days this year. A wave of disappointment came over his face and he walked away from me in a huff. I felt terrible. I knew I had to make it up to him and everyone else, and never come back again for less than a month at a time. Later, at the mid-day meditation session, I sat next to Raht. He gave me a suspicious look and asked me (with surprisingly good English): "So you only in Cambodia for 10 days?" "Yes" I answered, with a sad frown. "But you come back again, right?" "Of course! Next year. For much more time." That, apparently, was all he needed to hear, that I wouldn't stay away forever. He hugged me and all was suddenly forgiven. I thought... If only things were that easy with mum.

My last night, Prom insisted that I join him and his wife and his crew to check out a new beer garden that his friend had just opened up. It was a restaurant in a part of town off the tourist trail, only frequented by the locals. I was an insider in Siem Reap and I realized how lucky I was to have stayed at Prom's in 2009 and to have met Dan and Cat and Sue. I don't even remember how I found Golden Takeo Guest House; maybe through a Google search. I don't know if I should call it luck or fate or what, but I do feel that there are no accidents in life. And this moment, in this place, was meant for me.

To quote a common expression that you often here the locals saying to foreigners (two actually):

Good luck for you! See you when you see me!

And here's a song that Prom and Srey Mao taught me on the way to the beer garden:

Uh-oooh Siem Reap

Bandol chet uyyy

Knyom som lee huy

Lyuh dieng ah layyyy

Ooooh Siem Reap,

My heart's favorite

I would like to say goodbye

I still miss you, I don't want to leave

If you are traveling to Siem Reap and want to volunteer or just visit Honour Village, get in touch with Dan via the contact page on the website. And if you want to make a donation, you can do so online through Virgin Money Giving.

I don't want to leave you sad, so here's some funny Funny Engrish shirts I found, some of which I bought, others, I just couldn't resist taking a photo to share with you...