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vaportrailer
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Well, I'm back in the land of ice and snow, and not terribly jazzed about it.

Re-entry has been a bit rough, especially with jet-lag, but coffee is getting me through.

Got out of PP no problems, had a delay in Hong Kong which caused me to miss a connecting flight in Toronto (which is not the best designed airport), but got home okay after a 2 hour delay.

 

Thoughts:

Thailand was pretty amazing, and I'm glad I was able to get back there and see a few more places. The highlights for me were Bangkok, the Northeast, and Ko Lanta. Bangkok is huge, and a lot of fun. Would go back there in a heartbeat. The Northeast was very laid-back, with more domestic tourists than foreign ones. And Lanta had that excellent beach.

Cambodia (er, Phnom Penh) was just absolutely fugging great, despite picking up some mid-grade lung disease from the pollution. Friendly people, good food etc, lots to see (and hear and smell). I would go back right now if I could!

The Cambodian government is incredibly corrupt, and endlessly greedy. It's interesting to imagine what the city could look like if all the development and aid money actually got to where it was supposed to go, instead of into pockets and mansions and luxury cars that clog up the city's crowded and crumbling streets. It will be equally interesting to see how Phnom Penh develops in the next few years.

 

Oh yeah, on my last night in PP, I decided to go on a "sunset river cruise". 7 bucks for 1.5 hours. Ended up that I was the only passenger (crew of 2, plus a girl employed to serve drinks) which was equally awkward and awesome. Floated around enjoying great views and old-school Khmer music, before heading to a restaurant to enjoy some great chicken.

I hope I can return next year for more of the same.

 

And now it's snowing here. Sigh. Come back heat! Come back coconut smoothies! Come back SEA! Come back!!!!!!!!!!

Disjointedly;

VT

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Winding down in Phnom Penh.

 

Moved back 'uptown' for my last 2 days here, and doing a thorough investigation of my balcony. All is very well indeed, although getting back into normal everyday life is going to be...an adjustment.

Still enjoying some great food, and iced coffees, lime juices, coconut shakes, mango shakes etc etc etc.

Going to have grilled frog before I leave. Stuffed with pork and spices, and comes with a little plastic bag of coconut-chili sauce. Yum!

The people here are quite friendly, and love to laugh. A few have very patiently taught me some Khmer. My vocabulary consists, of: airport, how are you, no worries, star, stink, and fat.

The tourists, for the most part, are very serious to sour looking, and spend too much time staring into their devices.

 

Had a hilarious 3 dollar street haircut (or khmercut?) earlier today. The barber shop was an old barber chair set up on the sidewalk, with a mirror attached to the outside of a local temple, and a plastic tarp for shade. The barber told me how young I looked, so that got him a tip, and then told me he bicycled here everyday from his home near the airport (10km each way, through some pretty heavy traffic) which got him another tip. He had a tremendously high-pitched laugh that nearly perforated my eardrum, but he ended up making me look less like a potato than I normally do, so I am very pleased.

4 saffron clad monks are walking below my balcony right now, passing 'Danny K's Bar and Massage' and the young and sickly looking girls who work there.

I think I'm in need of a vodka tonic, and another smoke. There we go...

Blaze, you should try to get back here before PP turns into half-assed Bangkok. I'll definitely be doing this again next year, if all goes well.

 

Thanks again for reading my crap, and encouraging it. Dunno if I'll get another post in before I go, but will post some follow-up bullsh1t most likely.

 

The sun is setting, the stomach rumbles. Time for a walk.

I'm sure Mrs. Blaze wouldn't be up for PP. Any future expeditions there or to those areas would have to be done solo OR with a buddy or two. Both are possible but would be less possible than a trip with Mrs. B.

 

We had thought of going to Seoul for a short 4 day trip next month but we're both kind of busy unfortunately. I'm not too heartbroken about that though seeing that it would've been our 3rd time there together and my 4th overall. She wanted to go for shopping, I just wanted to go for the food. Seoul's an alright place (and it's hard to say 'no' given that it's only a 2 hour flight)....

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Korea/Picture013.jpg

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/IMG_6244.jpg

 

...but it IS a metropolis. And I often need something other than that. Especially for trips.

 

SE Asia!

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Cambodia/karaokeandnam204.jpg

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Cambodia/karaokeandnam151.jpg

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Cambodia/karaokeandnam187.jpg

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Cambodia/karaokeandnam201.jpg

 

:blaze:

 

I can see that PP wouldn't be high on people's "must-see" lists, but the vibe there is just fantastic. Maybe we'll have to meet up in Bangkok instead!

"Mrs. Trailer" is interested in Bangkok and Myanmar, so that might be next year's plan. Gotta have a plan, or at least a reason to drag oneself into work for the next year.

Love the pics, btw. You are rocking some serious sideburns in that last photo! Awesome!

Seoul has a damn good airport. Toronto's is just damned.

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Winding down in Phnom Penh.

 

Moved back 'uptown' for my last 2 days here, and doing a thorough investigation of my balcony. All is very well indeed, although getting back into normal everyday life is going to be...an adjustment.

Still enjoying some great food, and iced coffees, lime juices, coconut shakes, mango shakes etc etc etc.

Going to have grilled frog before I leave. Stuffed with pork and spices, and comes with a little plastic bag of coconut-chili sauce. Yum!

The people here are quite friendly, and love to laugh. A few have very patiently taught me some Khmer. My vocabulary consists, of: airport, how are you, no worries, star, stink, and fat.

The tourists, for the most part, are very serious to sour looking, and spend too much time staring into their devices.

 

Had a hilarious 3 dollar street haircut (or khmercut?) earlier today. The barber shop was an old barber chair set up on the sidewalk, with a mirror attached to the outside of a local temple, and a plastic tarp for shade. The barber told me how young I looked, so that got him a tip, and then told me he bicycled here everyday from his home near the airport (10km each way, through some pretty heavy traffic) which got him another tip. He had a tremendously high-pitched laugh that nearly perforated my eardrum, but he ended up making me look less like a potato than I normally do, so I am very pleased.

4 saffron clad monks are walking below my balcony right now, passing 'Danny K's Bar and Massage' and the young and sickly looking girls who work there.

I think I'm in need of a vodka tonic, and another smoke. There we go...

Blaze, you should try to get back here before PP turns into half-assed Bangkok. I'll definitely be doing this again next year, if all goes well.

 

Thanks again for reading my crap, and encouraging it. Dunno if I'll get another post in before I go, but will post some follow-up bullsh1t most likely.

 

The sun is setting, the stomach rumbles. Time for a walk.

I'm sure Mrs. Blaze wouldn't be up for PP. Any future expeditions there or to those areas would have to be done solo OR with a buddy or two. Both are possible but would be less possible than a trip with Mrs. B.

 

We had thought of going to Seoul for a short 4 day trip next month but we're both kind of busy unfortunately. I'm not too heartbroken about that though seeing that it would've been our 3rd time there together and my 4th overall. She wanted to go for shopping, I just wanted to go for the food. Seoul's an alright place (and it's hard to say 'no' given that it's only a 2 hour flight)....

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Korea/Picture013.jpg

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/IMG_6244.jpg

 

...but it IS a metropolis. And I often need something other than that. Especially for trips.

 

SE Asia!

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Cambodia/karaokeandnam204.jpg

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Cambodia/karaokeandnam151.jpg

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Cambodia/karaokeandnam187.jpg

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/andrewq2112/Cambodia/karaokeandnam201.jpg

 

:blaze:

 

I can see that PP wouldn't be high on people's "must-see" lists, but the vibe there is just fantastic. Maybe we'll have to meet up in Bangkok instead!

"Mrs. Trailer" is interested in Bangkok and Myanmar, so that might be next year's plan. Gotta have a plan, or at least a reason to drag oneself into work for the next year.

Love the pics, btw. You are rocking some serious sideburns in that last photo! Awesome!

Seoul has a damn good airport. Toronto's is just damned.

sideburns :LOL: yeah sometimes I'm in the mood for beastly burns so I keep them long at times :LOL:

 

I was just talking about Myanmar yesterday with a couple of people...

- my wife who isn't interested in visiting there at all. She's scared but can't explain why.

- an acquaintance who just got back from there on business. He was talking about the cost of a cell phone (about 10 U.S. cents) and the number of Japanese cars and buses on the streets

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You lucky dog!!!

 

I want some Cambodian happy pizza!!!! I can't get it here but if I could it'd probably be $100-200! No joke.

 

Have a great time! :hail:

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer's heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You lucky dog!!!

 

I want some Cambodian happy pizza!!!! I can't get it here but if I could it'd probably be $100-200! No joke.

 

Have a great time! :hail:

 

I'll be there March 30-May 11, so feel free to drop over for a visit/slice!

Just realized that Khmer New Year occurs while I'm there, so that should be fun.

Won't be in tourist mode for the most part, but will be in Cambodia/PP nonetheless!

It will be strange.

I'm just about due for another khmer street barber experience...

Will get a photobucket account and try to post some pics this time around.

I know I owe Goose a khmer-cut pic!

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

It's awesome. That's something I need to do.
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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

About 10-11 years ago I was in chat with you and maybe rushgoober and we were talking about moving abroad. I was already where I am now and you told me I was nuts too! :LOL:

 

[i'm 99.9% sure it was you & gooby. vaportrailer will appreciate this percentage.]

 

In that conversation you were talking about how Baltimore (or was it D.C.?) was a cesspool and that you were thinking of moving to Australia or Ireland. I told you then that you should do it. You stated that it'd be a lengthy and involved process or something reasonable like that. I said yeah but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it. I ended that discussion by saying something like, "Staying in a place you dislike is more nuts than challenging a new place that you're interested in."

 

The difference between vt's possible move and mine is that he's been to Cambodia several times while I'd never been to Japan before I moved here. But I'm still here! And I'm still a crazy bastard! :LOL: :cheers:

 

 

Side note:

Two really good friends and ex-flatmates from when I first moved to Japan are from Melbourne. They eventually both married J-women, had a couple of kids each, and are back in Melbourne. Anyway, they tell me that a bottle of water from a convenience store there costs about $4. Here it's about $1.50. In Cambodia, it'd probably be about 10-15 cents.

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

 

Well, I'm going to hang out there for 6 weeks and make a decision based on that. I almost "up and moved there" but then this opportunity arose.

Like JB said, I've been there a few times now, so at least I have a vague idea about the place, although visiting there and living there are two different things.

Living in a country that has a winter that lasts 5 months is nuts!

Perhaps I'll be sick and burned out after my 6 weeks there. Perhaps I'll be happy as a clam (or pizza). I'll never know unless I do this, nuts as it is. :D

No regrets!

 

"The point of the journey is not to arrive. Anything can happen." - some retired drummer/lyricist

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

About 10-11 years ago I was in chat with you and maybe rushgoober and we were talking about moving abroad. I was already where I am now and you told me I was nuts too! :LOL:

 

[i'm 99.9% sure it was you & gooby. vaportrailer will appreciate this percentage.]

 

In that conversation you were talking about how Baltimore (or was it D.C.?) was a cesspool and that you were thinking of moving to Australia or Ireland. I told you then that you should do it. You stated that it'd be a lengthy and involved process or something reasonable like that. I said yeah but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it. I ended that discussion by saying something like, "Staying in a place you dislike is more nuts than challenging a new place that you're interested in."

 

The difference between vt's possible move and mine is that he's been to Cambodia several times while I'd never been to Japan before I moved here. But I'm still here! And I'm still a crazy bastard! :LOL: :cheers:

 

 

Side note:

Two really good friends and ex-flatmates from when I first moved to Japan are from Melbourne. They eventually both married J-women, had a couple of kids each, and are back in Melbourne. Anyway, they tell me that a bottle of water from a convenience store there costs about $4. Here it's about $1.50. In Cambodia, it'd probably be about 10-15 cents.

 

Cambodian tap water is always free and full of exotic flavours!

I think those big bottles (1.5 liters?) were around a buck. I know a can of beer is cheaper than a can of juice or pop. I'm staying in a one-room apartment for 38 per night, which is pretty swell for a clean, comfortable place with a balcony.

Nice percentage work as always, Mr. Blaze! You astound me 64% of the time and delight me 100% of the time.

:cheers:

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

About 10-11 years ago I was in chat with you and maybe rushgoober and we were talking about moving abroad. I was already where I am now and you told me I was nuts too! :LOL:

 

[i'm 99.9% sure it was you & gooby. vaportrailer will appreciate this percentage.]

 

In that conversation you were talking about how Baltimore (or was it D.C.?) was a cesspool and that you were thinking of moving to Australia or Ireland. I told you then that you should do it. You stated that it'd be a lengthy and involved process or something reasonable like that. I said yeah but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it. I ended that discussion by saying something like, "Staying in a place you dislike is more nuts than challenging a new place that you're interested in."

 

The difference between vt's possible move and mine is that he's been to Cambodia several times while I'd never been to Japan before I moved here. But I'm still here! And I'm still a crazy bastard! :LOL: :cheers:

 

 

Side note:

Two really good friends and ex-flatmates from when I first moved to Japan are from Melbourne. They eventually both married J-women, had a couple of kids each, and are back in Melbourne. Anyway, they tell me that a bottle of water from a convenience store there costs about $4. Here it's about $1.50. In Cambodia, it'd probably be about 10-15 cents.

 

Cambodian tap water is always free and full of exotic flavours!

I think those big bottles (1.5 liters?) were around a buck. I know a can of beer is cheaper than a can of juice or pop. I'm staying in a one-room apartment for 38 per night, which is pretty swell for a clean, comfortable place with a balcony.

Nice percentage work as always, Mr. Blaze! You astound me 64% of the time and delight me 100% of the time.

:cheers:

:cheers:

Yeah I remember my kick ass hotel was somewhere around 55 per night.

But I skip the tap water 110% of the time. That water price surprises me as I thought it'd be much cheaper. Maybe the Happy Pizza affected my memory! :LOL:

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

About 10-11 years ago I was in chat with you and maybe rushgoober and we were talking about moving abroad. I was already where I am now and you told me I was nuts too! :LOL:

 

[i'm 99.9% sure it was you & gooby. vaportrailer will appreciate this percentage.]

 

In that conversation you were talking about how Baltimore (or was it D.C.?) was a cesspool and that you were thinking of moving to Australia or Ireland. I told you then that you should do it. You stated that it'd be a lengthy and involved process or something reasonable like that. I said yeah but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it. I ended that discussion by saying something like, "Staying in a place you dislike is more nuts than challenging a new place that you're interested in."

 

The difference between vt's possible move and mine is that he's been to Cambodia several times while I'd never been to Japan before I moved here. But I'm still here! And I'm still a crazy bastard! :LOL: :cheers:

 

 

Side note:

Two really good friends and ex-flatmates from when I first moved to Japan are from Melbourne. They eventually both married J-women, had a couple of kids each, and are back in Melbourne. Anyway, they tell me that a bottle of water from a convenience store there costs about $4. Here it's about $1.50. In Cambodia, it'd probably be about 10-15 cents.

The wife and I were just talking about it the other night actually. Our daughter is grown and we are getting itchy for some new scenery. Were thinking of moving south or maybe just relocating to the other side of Baltimore. I am north of Baltimore now. I threw it out there to her that we should sell our house and try and go work and live in Ireland for a year or two. It would be a good home base to try and tour the rest of Europe. Then we could come back.

 

We are not as adventurous as you guys so we probably won't do it but its fun to talk/think about.

 

Cambodia seems so third world. That's what would scare me. Serious culture shock. Of course I have never been there so I probably don't know what I am talking about.

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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

About 10-11 years ago I was in chat with you and maybe rushgoober and we were talking about moving abroad. I was already where I am now and you told me I was nuts too! :LOL:

 

[i'm 99.9% sure it was you & gooby. vaportrailer will appreciate this percentage.]

 

In that conversation you were talking about how Baltimore (or was it D.C.?) was a cesspool and that you were thinking of moving to Australia or Ireland. I told you then that you should do it. You stated that it'd be a lengthy and involved process or something reasonable like that. I said yeah but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it. I ended that discussion by saying something like, "Staying in a place you dislike is more nuts than challenging a new place that you're interested in."

 

The difference between vt's possible move and mine is that he's been to Cambodia several times while I'd never been to Japan before I moved here. But I'm still here! And I'm still a crazy bastard! :LOL: :cheers:

 

 

Side note:

Two really good friends and ex-flatmates from when I first moved to Japan are from Melbourne. They eventually both married J-women, had a couple of kids each, and are back in Melbourne. Anyway, they tell me that a bottle of water from a convenience store there costs about $4. Here it's about $1.50. In Cambodia, it'd probably be about 10-15 cents.

The wife and I were just talking about it the other night actually. Our daughter is grown and we are getting itchy for some new scenery. Were thinking of moving south or maybe just relocating to the other side of Baltimore. I am north of Baltimore now. I threw it out there to her that we should sell our house and try and go work and live in Ireland for a year or two. It would be a good home base to try and tour the rest of Europe. Then we could come back.

 

We are not as adventurous as you guys so we probably won't do it but its fun to talk/think about.

 

Cambodia seems so third world. That's what would scare me. Serious culture shock. Of course I have never been there so I probably don't know what I am talking about.

 

 

 

I think I know what you mean. Cambodia is a little more rough around the edges than Thailand, plus it's recent history has been intense.

Sure, you can't drink the tap water, and there are recycling and pollution issues, as well as wide spread corruption; but there are also many wonderful things about Cambodia:

the climate, the people (very friendly), all kinds of exotic and delicious fruit/food/drinks, the aforementioned happy pizzas and other happy delights, there are nice places to take a walk, and lots of interesting things to see in general.

With my time there I expect to see as much of the city as possible, do some writing, and start learning some Khmer (Cambodian language). That, along with reading, long walks, and keeping up with TRF should keep me well occupied!

I was never really able to travel until 20 years or so ago, and absolutely love it. Don't wait too long to get out there and see things! Life is short!

 

(Although southeast Asia is often called 'third world', the people in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam might beg to differ.)

Edited by vaportrailer
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Don't want to take over Rod's "Frustration at Work" thread, so thought I'd just revive this one.

 

Due to pointless stress over work, winter, my commute etc, the vaportrailer heading back to Cambodia.

My manager okayed a 6 week leave of absence, and I'm going to see if I can handle living in Phnom Penh.

It was nice to be given the opportunity to test the waters, as opposed to just quitting and hoping for the best.

 

Got my ticket yesterday. Leaving next week.

Wow. Surreal, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, puke-inducing, sad, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJXdFw0Udco/UC_w9iRzPrI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/hO49sQs-UI0/s1600/same+as.jpg

http://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Talking-Heads-Once-in-a-Lifetime.jpg

And you may ask yourself "My god, what have I done?"

You are going to just up and move there?

 

That's nuts!

About 10-11 years ago I was in chat with you and maybe rushgoober and we were talking about moving abroad. I was already where I am now and you told me I was nuts too! :LOL:

 

[i'm 99.9% sure it was you & gooby. vaportrailer will appreciate this percentage.]

 

In that conversation you were talking about how Baltimore (or was it D.C.?) was a cesspool and that you were thinking of moving to Australia or Ireland. I told you then that you should do it. You stated that it'd be a lengthy and involved process or something reasonable like that. I said yeah but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it. I ended that discussion by saying something like, "Staying in a place you dislike is more nuts than challenging a new place that you're interested in."

 

The difference between vt's possible move and mine is that he's been to Cambodia several times while I'd never been to Japan before I moved here. But I'm still here! And I'm still a crazy bastard! :LOL: :cheers:

 

 

Side note:

Two really good friends and ex-flatmates from when I first moved to Japan are from Melbourne. They eventually both married J-women, had a couple of kids each, and are back in Melbourne. Anyway, they tell me that a bottle of water from a convenience store there costs about $4. Here it's about $1.50. In Cambodia, it'd probably be about 10-15 cents.

The wife and I were just talking about it the other night actually. Our daughter is grown and we are getting itchy for some new scenery. Were thinking of moving south or maybe just relocating to the other side of Baltimore. I am north of Baltimore now. I threw it out there to her that we should sell our house and try and go work and live in Ireland for a year or two. It would be a good home base to try and tour the rest of Europe. Then we could come back.

 

We are not as adventurous as you guys so we probably won't do it but its fun to talk/think about.

 

Cambodia seems so third world. That's what would scare me. Serious culture shock. Of course I have never been there so I probably don't know what I am talking about.

 

 

 

I think I know what you mean. Cambodia is a little more rough around the edges than Thailand, plus it's recent history has been intense.

Sure, you can't drink the tap water, and there are recycling and pollution issues, as well as wide spread corruption; but there are also many wonderful things about Cambodia:

the climate, the people (very friendly), all kinds of exotic and delicious fruit/food/drinks, the aforementioned happy pizzas and other happy delights, there are nice places to take a walk, and lots of interesting things to see in general.

With my time there I expect to see as much of the city as possible, do some writing, and start learning some Khmer (Cambodian language). That, along with reading, long walks, and keeping up with TRF should keep me well occupied!

I was never really able to travel until 20 years or so ago, and absolutely love it. Don't wait too long to get out there and see things! Life is short!

 

(Although southeast Asia is often called 'third world', the people in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam might beg to differ.)

Well good luck to you. I hope it's everything you wish it to be!
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Yo vt, when are you off to Happy Pizza Land? Make mine extra happy!

 

Your prescience is on the level with your mathemagics. Are you some sort of wizard?

Flight #1 leaves in less than 9 hours. Flight #3 lands in PP Thurs mid-morn.

The plan is to check into the hotel, shower, and then off to find something happy. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

Apsara, extra-happy:

http://images.travelpod.com/users/keithandbeth/1.1261254361.2_q.jpg

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Yo vt, when are you off to Happy Pizza Land? Make mine extra happy!

 

Your prescience is on the level with your mathemagics. Are you some sort of wizard?

Flight #1 leaves in less than 9 hours. Flight #3 lands in PP Thurs mid-morn.

The plan is to check into the hotel, shower, and then off to find something happy. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

Apsara, extra-happy:

http://images.travelpod.com/users/keithandbeth/1.1261254361.2_q.jpg

That seems like a longer than usual flight journey even for a Canada to Cambodia trip that likely takes 21-23 hours of flights(?) and a 14-15 hour time difference(?). Or are my guesstimated calculations inaccurate? Math! :LOL:

Where are your connecting flights?

 

I'm jealous. It's not ball busting cold here anymore but it's still cold enough to annoy me.

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Yo vt, when are you off to Happy Pizza Land? Make mine extra happy!

 

Your prescience is on the level with your mathemagics. Are you some sort of wizard?

Flight #1 leaves in less than 9 hours. Flight #3 lands in PP Thurs mid-morn.

The plan is to check into the hotel, shower, and then off to find something happy. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

Apsara, extra-happy:

http://images.travelpod.com/users/keithandbeth/1.1261254361.2_q.jpg

That seems like a longer than usual flight journey even for a Canada to Cambodia trip that likely takes 21-23 hours of flights(?) and a 14-15 hour time difference(?). Or are my guesstimated calculations inaccurate? Math! :LOL:

Where are your connecting flights?

 

I'm jealous. It's not ball busting cold here anymore but it's still cold enough to annoy me.

 

Hey JB! Hello from the Hong Kong airport (7am). Flight to PP boards in about an hour.

Yeah the flight-time looked a bit weird with this, but it was still about 26 hours total of airport time, so not too bad.

Ottawa to Toronto to HK to PP. Left Tues night, getting into PP in about 4 hours. (Wed night back home)

You should drop on over for a visit if you get too annoyed by the cold! :P

Talk to you later from PP;

vt

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Yo vt, when are you off to Happy Pizza Land? Make mine extra happy!

 

Your prescience is on the level with your mathemagics. Are you some sort of wizard?

Flight #1 leaves in less than 9 hours. Flight #3 lands in PP Thurs mid-morn.

The plan is to check into the hotel, shower, and then off to find something happy. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

Apsara, extra-happy:

http://images.travelpod.com/users/keithandbeth/1.1261254361.2_q.jpg

That seems like a longer than usual flight journey even for a Canada to Cambodia trip that likely takes 21-23 hours of flights(?) and a 14-15 hour time difference(?). Or are my guesstimated calculations inaccurate? Math! :LOL:

Where are your connecting flights?

 

I'm jealous. It's not ball busting cold here anymore but it's still cold enough to annoy me.

 

Hey JB! Hello from the Hong Kong airport (7am). Flight to PP boards in about an hour.

Yeah the flight-time looked a bit weird with this, but it was still about 26 hours total of airport time, so not too bad.

Ottawa to Toronto to HK to PP. Left Tues night, getting into PP in about 4 hours. (Wed night back home)

You should drop on over for a visit if you get too annoyed by the cold! :P

Talk to you later from PP;

vt

Then my math was off!!!! Noooo....

 

HK is 4 to 4.5 hours from me which to me isn't that long/far.

 

Have a blast! I'm sure it will be. :hail:

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The Phnom Penh Pest

 

The city is outrageously hot, but fairly breezy so far. A little rain last night just as I was passing out.

All is going well; got in, checked in, had delicious chicken and long beans for lunch, followed by a discrete purchase.

Picked up a few necessities (3 in 1 coffees, cold drinx, bottle o' vodka, scribbler, rollies, and salty snax) and hung out on balcony watching the city and getting half-loaded. I love it here.

 

Forecast: copious non-activity followed by a strenuous regimen of balcony sitting and sweaty walks uptown. Periods of chicken and street food with a probability of a movie.

 

Letters to the Editor

Dear Ed;

I hear that the women there are stunningly, achingly beautiful. My question is, how much is a bottle of water? - Wondering

Dear Wondering,

50 US cents for 1.5 L, although some places charge more. People in hotels here like to rearrange/drag their furniture around for hours at a time. Scrape scrape scrape!

 

 

 

 

 

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