Kampot, Cambodia

"once you have visited Cambodia, you will never stop wanting to beat Henry Kissinger to death"- Anthony Bourdain, correct as always

Bourdain said this because the origins of the Khmer Rouge and horrible genocide and civil war in the late 1970s in Cambodia can be traced directly to Kissinger''s actions as US Secretary of State. Essentially, Kissinger involved the Cambodians in a civil war they didn't want, with the promise of full US backing against Communism and the Khmer Rouge, but then abruptly pulled out, and left Cambodia in the hands of Pol Pot. After Pol Pot and his followers were done decimating all the intellectuals in Cambodia (doctors, teachers, lawyers, even people who wore glasses because it made them look "smart") there was no one left to help rebuild Cambodia's infrastructure. The country has just recently been getting back on its feet thanks to foreign investment and tourism dollars, but I can tell you personally that their health system is STILL suffering the after effects of years of war and killing.

i am sad but hopeful for this country that i have come to love over the past few weeks. you know how some places just feel right? cambodia feels like that to me. i look forward to coming back and hopefully working here in the near future.

also, i am on the coast of Cambodia right now and it is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. it has the added bonus of delicious, cheap seafood.

Bangkok, Thailand

Less than 24 hours in Bangkok and I feel like everything I own is covered in a layer of sweat. Imagine New York City in August, only much more humid and smelly. But this makes it sound like I don't like Bangkok....I kinda do. I think. I know I like the food. My first meal in Bangkok was pad thai from a street vendor. It was very good and cost 20 baht, or about 50 cents. I'm staying in the traveler's ghetto of Khao San Road right now and it's really fun to walk through the street -I've heard people hate it here but I'm weird in that I think it's funny when tuk tuk drivers call out "Hey nice lady, where you go? where you want to go? i take you there!" So I should love the rest of southeast asia right? I stayed in the Novotel airport hotel the first night because my flight got in late and it was probably the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at...huge comfy bed, enormous bath tub, a phone in the bathroom?! Okay this internet cafe connection sucks so I have to go now. i miss my family and friends a lot right now, i think people should meet me at the beach in thailand pronto.