Siem Reap, Cambodia

**Lots of new posts below. Internet has been incredibly slow for the past two weeks, so we just got caught up until now.

We bid Laos adieu on Monday and caught a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. We wanted to travel on land through Vientiene, Laos, but many things were against us; the rainy season makes many roads impassable, a recent U.S. State Dept. bulletin noting insurgent fighting on the highway we were to take, and lack of precious time all contributed to our decision to fly. But mostly lack of time.

Customs in Cambodia at the Siem Reap airport was quick and easy and for only $20 USD you can obtain a month visa on the spot. An interesting fact about Cambodia is that most things are priced in US dollars. Of course you can use Riel (the country's currency), but everything is listed, and can be paid for, with US bills. The current exchange rate is about 4,000 Riel to $1 USD.

Cambodia is recovering from being at war since 1970. They have fought through the Vietnam War, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, and then about a decade of civil war which ended around 1999. Of the three countries we've visited, this one is the least developed and trying to catch up. Even with the horrible recent past, there are still a lot of smiles here, although not as easily given in some cases. There are many amputees because of land mines haphazardly set by all sides in the conflicts. There were no maps made at the time to keep track of where they were laid so, like in Laos, remain a threat today. The wars here clearly effected those not involved in the fighting.

One of the days we visited the War Museum, an outdoor collection of leftover weapons from the years of war. Everything from Soviet tanks to US' M-16 rifles to land mines to UXOs (unexploded ordinance - i.e. bombs from planes that didn't explode). Our tour guide, Khom, was educated at a Christian missionary school and spoke very good English. He lost his left arm when he was about 5 years old after stepping on a land mine near where he grew up. He never knew his parents who were casualties or lost during the civil war. He had an amazing attitude and felt he was given a second chance in life. He made the experience incredible and added a personal touch to the war relics.

Following our museum visit, Cara had a great idea to donate blood at a children's hospital. There are beggars and children trying to sell books or postcards all times of the day. We have had a few debates on what would be the best way to help these children without giving handouts which possibly encourages them to beg instead of attending school. We instantly knew giving blood was a good option when we saw the crowded hallways filled with parents and their babies waiting to be treated. Malaria (night-time mosquitoes) is on the decline, but Dengue Fever (day-time mosquitoes) is on the rise in children. Blood is needed for transfusions for severe cases of Dengue Fever. And we got free T-shirts!

Accommodation. The first two nights we spent in a small inexpensive guesthouse ($4/night). At first glance this room looked up to par with the other rooms we've been staying in, but there were a few exceptions (cockroaches, mysterious poop pellets on the bed, relentlessly barking dogs) which sent us looking for a new place the third day. We found our new comfy home for a night at the Golden Temple Villa. Super sweet! It's the closest thing to a fancy hotel we've stayed in on this trip and it was only $9 for the night. You gotta love SE Asia.

Riding in a tuk-tuk, or motorized taxi/palace on wheels, is a luxury we seldom indulge in (we walk almost everywhere). But there are certain times when it is necessary, so we suck it up and take one every now and then.

Next stop, Phnom Penh.