This is my life

Apparently I actually live in Cambodia. A Testament to this realization...I woke up this morning and actually realized what I was doing. I stared at the wall, and realized that wall did not lead to a world I truly understand.

Then I met a Khmer (Cambodian) friend for breakfast. But of course it was her and her cousin, cause well, Khmer women do not/can not go out alone. We bummed around Phnom Penh for awhile while my friend attempted to pawn me off onto her cousin, since I have no boyfriend and he has no girlfriend. I politely declined and dropped them off at home after three hours.

I then went to my appartment to do my various grant writing projects, and proceeded to stare at my very very tangerine walls. This really is my life. To say the least...I am a bit shocked. This shock was on perpetuated by the idea that I will not be starting classes in a week. Nor will I have Smith stress for 12 months. Amen is all I can say.

Happy Birthday to Me

So I spent the first half of my birthday folded over on my bed sick as a flipping dog. By the afternoon I ended up feeling fine.

I took myself out to a nice, late lunch and then I moved into my beautiful, too orange appartment. I bought plants, and organized and in about five minutes I am going shopping for knives and pots and pans.

everything is going marvelously. and in general I am happy as can be. but let me tell you...my appartment is SCHWEET!!!!!

i spent the evening at my favorite local bar chatting up consultants and making new friends. i even got a free birthday drink. (at two bars!) so it was a low key evening with my coworkers and friends. but i have to say, it was a marvelous way to celebrate my 21st.

Moving

i just signed the lease for my appartment. its pretty awesome. i get to paint the walls, and have pets if i want, and i have to pay all my own bills. oh the excitement.

but its all settled. i will be moved in tomorrow. in time for my birthday. so for my birthday i will be going plant shopping. life is good.

By popular demand....

The following things are awesome about Cambodia.

1. Its sunny all the freaking time. Hot yes. But sunny is amazing. Vitamin D is good for me.

2. Cheap beer.

3. Cheap Paté

4. Bar jobs. I am working at a backpacker bar called Talkin' to A Stranger.

5. Being the "new girl on the block". I am meeting a ton of people, all of whom are willing to throw me a bone and help me out.

6. Cheap food. Good food. So many choices

7. Handmade shoes. I just had a pair of sandals made, they are beautiful, and suede and I am in love.

8. Transportation. Its awesome. Choices include; walking, cycling, or paying a smartass driver to take you on a Tuk Tuk (carriage with motobike on the front)

9. THE CHILDREN!!!!! They are freaking everywhere. EVERYWHERE!!!! And they are all sweet and climb all over you and give you lice.

10. Clothing. Oh clothing. Cheap, plentiful, colorful, flowy, and practical.

Cambodia is treating me well. Its gotten under my skin a bit but in general, I love it here. I remain a bit disoriented, but not horridly...it was really bad for a few days. I have had lice, been sick, and gotten lost. I think the worst is out of the way.

So outside of my hotel there is this taxi driver, he's about 19 or so (maybe younger?), who everyday he sees me says "you look so pretty today". And then at night, he will see me again, and he says "When you go to sleep at night. Remember where the sky is, and if you look, you will see me smiling at you saying GOODNIGHT!!!!" Cheesy kid. He just wants to be my taxi driver because I look like the wealthy, western girl to him. To that I say "no way".

I also found a yoga studio which offers cheap rates to Volunteers. This my friends, is a quality thing. Bring on the yoga.

In Cambodia

I'm safe and sound in Cambodia after an all-nighter at the bar. I am exhausted and have seen the children. I saw one little girl who I met last time, her name is Srey Sokea. She is beautiful and had a shaved head when I was here last. She was smiley and giggly and amazing. Today, opposite. Long hair and totally and utterly dispondant.

But that aside...

My last night was amazing. We closed at 4:30 am, had a run in with the cops (because its required to close by three) and we then did a hungry ghost ritual. I stood as the smoke swirled around me and smiled. What a beautiful way to finish off my time.

Making the most of everything

I never thought in a million years that working a 5pm to 3am shift at a bar, which is found in every lonely planet guide that has ever been published about malaysia, would be fun. Nor did I think i would be so happy to make such small sums of cash EVER!!! But i have to say, working at Reggae Bar in Kuala Lumpur is amazing.

Today I moved out of my ridiculously priced hotel (read: 20 bucks a night) to a beautiful simple guesthouse called Le Village (also a Lonely Planet traveler favorite). It costs me 5 dollars a night for two beds on the first floor (not the ground floor), a fan, a wash machine, free coffee, and the nicest malaysian manager ever. He is pleasant and watches my room, specifically, like a hawk. The other backpacker, Tommy from Germany, who works at Reggae bar suggested it. Its heaven. There is a rooftop patio, lots of common hanging out areas, and hell, I am meeting people.

A bit about Tommy...He is my backpacking soul mate. At 14 he had awful melanoma and since then decided life is too short to live. He's a rough and tumble guy, who used to be a model, and now travels...exclusively. He stays in one place for a while and then trades it in for a "better model" in a new country. he has done this off and on for quite a few years. He has a degree in business, and has owned four companies. To say the least...he is fantastic. he's 24 and seen more of the world than most 80 year olds. Color me "friend smitten".

I had forgotten how much I love rugged, smelly backpacking travel where my only hope against bed bugs are my travel sheets and where the walls are so thin everyone hears your business.

Folks, this is my heaven. I never knew that dead exhausted, smelly, cheap, making no money for hours of work (at the bar i make a dollar an hour!!!!), free beer, and good company of random strangers made me so happy. But damn, it does.

But i am not going to lie...i could use a five hour nap before my shift starts in an hour and half.

My first night as a Malaysian Barmaid

The following things occured tonight:

A) I saw a malaysian transvestite. Male to Female. She was surprisingly beautiful.

B) Said transvestite hitting on men and them reciprocating. She went home with someone. I am sure she is a prostitute.

C) I made 15 malaysian in tips, and drank about 50 malaysian in free beer. I made an additional 15 malaysian in tips because men kept putting 1 malaysian bills in my clevage. Only western men though...no malaysians. This just reminds me that as much as they cat call, malaysian men are more harmless.

D) I got asked for sex tips from an Irish man with dreads.

E) Was asked for my email by many many a western man.

F) Was offered a job in cambodia by my employer in malaysia MANAGING his new bar in Cambodia which will open in approximatly three weeks.

G) Saw two swiss girls dancing together...REALLY DANCING. all i can say is...they shouldn't do that in this country.

and finally H) Learned that Malaysia can be a lot of fun.

Fun times in Malaysia

I have to say...I am starting to like Kuala Lumpur a bit better. But only for the following reasons.

A) I got a job as a barmaid. For tonight and any other nights I would like while I am here. I get paid under the table and make tips and if I so desire get a free place to live.

B) The place I am going to work in is a Reggae Bar, in Chinatown, in Kuala Lumpur. Its a backpacking haven.

C) I am meeting people. Its a ton of fun, and I can't wait for some of these people I am meeting to come through Cambodia.

The thing I do not like...When I am asked why I am traveling alone and have no boyfriend I get all sorts of queries as to WHY? So I have to lie. And have started learning to lie to the malaysians about the fact that I do indeed have a boyfriend.


BUT I AM WORKING AS A BARMAID IN MALAYSIA!!!!! HOW CRAZY IS THAT!!!!

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I arrived in Malyasia at 2pm Malaysian time. It is a hectic city, with quite literally nothing to do. Its a bit more modern than most south east asian cities, but also a bit dirtier.

I am anxious to get to Cambodia, anxious enough that I am currently planning on leaving Malaysia ASAP. I am ready to be home, because I know that once I am in Cambodia I am home.

I met a lovely Irish woman with whom I am bumming around the city with. Tonight we are going to Bangsar, which, according to the Lonely Planet is where all the expats go to see and be seen.

I am safe and sound and hardly jetlagged. This is all good news.

Leaving

I just arrived in Los Angeles. A place I called home for many, many years. I drove around with my family looking at our old house, elementary school, and neighborhood. It was sureal. I have to say I miss the following things about California: The weather, The architecture ( I am a sucker for Californian styled homes), and the beach. OH THE BEACH!!! Seeing the water was enough to make me cry. The things I don't miss?: The smog, the traffic, the people, and the excessive nature of the darn place.

Also what I dont' miss is the stuffy noses. I am all stuffy. Eww. I think this is a result of old alergies as well as the smog.

But what I love most about this place is the food. Talk about Mexican food HEAVEN!!!!

And I had an IN-N-OUT burger which also is god's gift to the hamburger.

Next post....MALAYSIA!!! Wish me luck.