Friday, May 25, 2007

interminable transit

it's one thing to say you're going to the other side of the world. it's a very different thing to feel like you actually did.

my journey to phnom pehn took over 36 hours (watch this: dc-->nyc--->frankfurt--->singapore--->phnom pehn) and by the time i arrived i wasn't even certain of the planet i was on anymore. with back mangled, hair mussed and clothes in near-tatters, i reached pochentong international airport, where a driver was waiting to take me to my hotel (my first ever "driver"!). on the ride i got my first helping of phnom pehn and all i could see through the blur of exhaustion were heaps of cars, people, run-down stalls and trash. the heat was oppressive as expected, and my hair grew a full 3 feet from the humidity.

i filed away my first impressions as we pulled up to the hotel (it's hardly fair to judge a city by a half-conscious ride from the airport), and within a few minutes of settling into my blissfully air-conditioned room, i passed clear out. the next morning i awoke to the sound of buddhist chanting echoing down the street and as i oriented myself to time and space, it finally registered: i'm in cambodia!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey G-
Blog is such a GREAT idea- glad to know you arrived and can't wait to hear about your experience there!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ghaz,
Glad you arrived safe and sound! I always look forward to reading about your travels. Thanks for including me!
Take care!
Patti Fullerton

Unknown said...

Glad you made it! Can't wait to read about all of your adventures. We'll miss you next week at reunion, but we'll be thinking about you!

Anonymous said...

What words..