Day 1-5

Hi!!
So much has happened since I arrived in Bangkok...after 34 hours of travelling. Julie and CP met me at the Bangkok airport, and we spent the night at Jamie and Sarah's (friends from school). Bangkok is a crazy city. It's massive, never quiet, quite polluted...but very beautiful. Skyscrapers and tall condo's stretch for miles, among the poverty. On Saturday, Julie, Cp and I went to the weekend market. It was unbelievable. we were only there for 3 hours, and probably didn't see 1/8 of the entire market. It's sort of like a Flea Market...but much busier, much nicer things, bargaining everywhere...We'll definitely be heading back at some point.

Sunday, we took a 13 hour bus to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The "road" to get to Cambodia and all the way through until the city, is potholed, dusty, rough and completely unpaved. The reason the road is so bad, is because Thai Airlines paid the Cambodian Government $ to NOT pave the road. That way, people are more inclined to fly to and from Cambodia, instead of the long bus trip.
The small villages alongside this main road were poverty stricken.very sad. once in Siem Reap, it's a whole new world. It's a beautiful city, mixed with poverty and riches. It has some 'french' feel, and the french have done a lot for the city and temples. It is way smaller than Bangkok, with no skyscrapers. The people so far are fantastic and very helpful. and the food...oh my god...amazing! Last night I had a Pumpkin and Coconut Soup with Chicken for 2.00, and it was to die for! The heat, however, is not to die for...we're all roasting...and don't care too much that our showers in the hostels are not hot water! We wouldn't use it anyway!

We've been staying at guest Houses or Hostels, for no more than $6 a night, split b/c the 3 of us. Yesterday and Today, we've been on a guided tour (a young man who has a private tour guide business) through the Angkor Wat Temple and other surrounding temples. I can only describe them as breathtaking. Overwhelmingly breathtaking. When I get a chance, I will upload some pictures. I'm thrilled to be starting my trip on such a high note (except for the bus ride!). The very sad part, is the children begging and pleading for money...or to sell any souvenir they can. They live within the Temple gates, in small villages...so at every gate entrance or exit, they're all over the place. They are adorable...and know just what to say to get you to buy anything from them. Apparently they only do half days at school, so the other half they are working for their parents. We're heading to Phnom Phen on Thursday, for a few days. Then South, to the coast for 4 or5 days.

I will write again soon!!