Here are some more snippets I've been collecting, written helter-skelter, wherever I happen to be when I remember them.
Bangkok's airport (Because I know my airport reviews are the best part of this blog!)
Bangkok's airport is really big and has about 1 million people, but it's well organized and there are people everywhere directing the crowds (like through security and at check-in) so there are few waits and everyone gets to where they need to go. It's also bright and airy. I had to search for some free wifi, because the "free" wifi offered by the airport costs money, but I found it near my gate, which is good because I don't leave for another three hours. I wanted to beat the rush hour traffic, so I left early for the airport. Security was the easiest yet; really fast lines, kept our shoes on, and only had to take laptop out of my bag. No pat down or extra bag check or other nonsense.
Siem Reap's airport & MIA drivers I only got to experience the "arrivals" section of Siem Reap's airport. It's a pretty small airport, so navigating it was a breeze. And it is very accomodating for tourists. There is a taxi stand right outside, no one hassles the tourists, and everyone was very courteous. My hotel was supposed to send a driver for me, but did not (probably because I'd only booked a room the night before; my hotel's only mistake). The other drivers waiting for their visitors all got out their cell phones to call my hotel and ask for my driver. Which was very nice, as my international cell phone works, but it a real pain in the ass to use.
Not related to the airport, but related to missing drivers: By sheer coincidence, the driver who was supposed to meet me in Phnom Penh also wasn't there to meet me, and the bus company had to call him. In this case, it turned out he'd accidentally been sent to the station the day before, and waited for 2 hours before giving up. Poor guy. I only had to wait 15 minutes.
Cambodian monkeys There are a fair number of monkeys around Angkor Wat and the other ruins. I'd seen about a billion monkeys on this trip already, so at first I didn't pay them much attention. But there were four monkeys playing along the dirt path heading towards Angkor Wat, probably hoping people would feed them. As I walked past, two of them were playing/fighting (not sure which). One of the monkeys shoved the other to the ground. When the fallen monkey sat up, he scrunched up his face like he was about to cry, made a pitiful little squawk, then he balled up his fists and rubbed his eyes. Just like a human child might. Despite almost always having my camera in hand, I can't get a shot of everything I'd like to, but I sure would have liked to capture that.
From Egypt Speaking of things I wish I'd caught on film but did not... While taking a taxi through a traffic circle in downtown Cairo, which has absolutely crazy traffic, this guy came riding a bicycle the wrong way through the circle, weaving in between all the cars and motorcycles. He was steering with one hand and with the other, he was balancing what appeared to be a wooden door piled high with loaves of bread on top of his head. I can only imagine he was trying to commit suicide in a dramatic, unusual and tasty fashion.
Cambodian landmines I've seen several people in Cambodia with missing limbs. Far more than I normally see within a week's time. A testament to how many people have been injured. A lot of the people who've lost limbs have learned to play musical instruments and they set up shop near some of the temples and play traditional cambodian music all day. It's quite pleasant music; I bought a CD from one of the bands as my souvenir of Cambodia.
Actually, I broke my no-more-than-one-souvenir-per-country rule in Cambodia. In addition to the CD, I was so moved by the Landmine Museum that I bought a scarf there, to help support the museum and the orphanage it sponsors. But you know what? I keep thinking back and wishing I'd gotten a shirt with the museum's logo on it, instead of the (unlogo'd) scarf. This will bother me for weeks. Silly, I know.
Little wet cloths One courtesy I really like in most of the countries I've been to is the offering of little cool wet cloths to guests, to wipe off the worst of the dirt and sweat. The safari lodges, the airplanes, a lot of restaurants and other hotels all offer cool little cloths to arriving guests. And it is so hot everywhere, and often kind of dirty, so they feel really good. I hope it's a practice that becomes more prevalent in the U.S.
Bangkok's airport (Because I know my airport reviews are the best part of this blog!)
Bangkok's airport is really big and has about 1 million people, but it's well organized and there are people everywhere directing the crowds (like through security and at check-in) so there are few waits and everyone gets to where they need to go. It's also bright and airy. I had to search for some free wifi, because the "free" wifi offered by the airport costs money, but I found it near my gate, which is good because I don't leave for another three hours. I wanted to beat the rush hour traffic, so I left early for the airport. Security was the easiest yet; really fast lines, kept our shoes on, and only had to take laptop out of my bag. No pat down or extra bag check or other nonsense.
Siem Reap's airport & MIA drivers I only got to experience the "arrivals" section of Siem Reap's airport. It's a pretty small airport, so navigating it was a breeze. And it is very accomodating for tourists. There is a taxi stand right outside, no one hassles the tourists, and everyone was very courteous. My hotel was supposed to send a driver for me, but did not (probably because I'd only booked a room the night before; my hotel's only mistake). The other drivers waiting for their visitors all got out their cell phones to call my hotel and ask for my driver. Which was very nice, as my international cell phone works, but it a real pain in the ass to use.
Not related to the airport, but related to missing drivers: By sheer coincidence, the driver who was supposed to meet me in Phnom Penh also wasn't there to meet me, and the bus company had to call him. In this case, it turned out he'd accidentally been sent to the station the day before, and waited for 2 hours before giving up. Poor guy. I only had to wait 15 minutes.
Cambodian monkeys There are a fair number of monkeys around Angkor Wat and the other ruins. I'd seen about a billion monkeys on this trip already, so at first I didn't pay them much attention. But there were four monkeys playing along the dirt path heading towards Angkor Wat, probably hoping people would feed them. As I walked past, two of them were playing/fighting (not sure which). One of the monkeys shoved the other to the ground. When the fallen monkey sat up, he scrunched up his face like he was about to cry, made a pitiful little squawk, then he balled up his fists and rubbed his eyes. Just like a human child might. Despite almost always having my camera in hand, I can't get a shot of everything I'd like to, but I sure would have liked to capture that.
From Egypt Speaking of things I wish I'd caught on film but did not... While taking a taxi through a traffic circle in downtown Cairo, which has absolutely crazy traffic, this guy came riding a bicycle the wrong way through the circle, weaving in between all the cars and motorcycles. He was steering with one hand and with the other, he was balancing what appeared to be a wooden door piled high with loaves of bread on top of his head. I can only imagine he was trying to commit suicide in a dramatic, unusual and tasty fashion.
Cambodian landmines I've seen several people in Cambodia with missing limbs. Far more than I normally see within a week's time. A testament to how many people have been injured. A lot of the people who've lost limbs have learned to play musical instruments and they set up shop near some of the temples and play traditional cambodian music all day. It's quite pleasant music; I bought a CD from one of the bands as my souvenir of Cambodia.
Actually, I broke my no-more-than-one-souvenir-per-country rule in Cambodia. In addition to the CD, I was so moved by the Landmine Museum that I bought a scarf there, to help support the museum and the orphanage it sponsors. But you know what? I keep thinking back and wishing I'd gotten a shirt with the museum's logo on it, instead of the (unlogo'd) scarf. This will bother me for weeks. Silly, I know.
Little wet cloths One courtesy I really like in most of the countries I've been to is the offering of little cool wet cloths to guests, to wipe off the worst of the dirt and sweat. The safari lodges, the airplanes, a lot of restaurants and other hotels all offer cool little cloths to arriving guests. And it is so hot everywhere, and often kind of dirty, so they feel really good. I hope it's a practice that becomes more prevalent in the U.S.
A couple weeks ago, the wind blew over the national christmas tree.
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