It was in Kampot that I first felt—or realized—that I didn’t need to wander around much to get a feel for the city’s atmosphere.
It was simply there.
As a Guest
For a week, I lived here a bit like a guest.
My friend took care of the accommodation; all I had to do was get into bed. He drove me everywhere on his motorcycle—often several times a day.
He showed me the shop where it was worth buying odds and ends, the bakery with the delicious bread, his favorite restaurants, the night market with its great atmosphere, and a few good spots for tasty, cheap beer.
We split the costs and made decisions together, though I usually went along with his suggestions. We shared whatever we bought.
We spent two days sprucing up his boat together. And every evening after dinner, we’d sit down somewhere to have peanuts and beer. We talked for hours. On Sunday, we both remarked at the same time what a wonderful week we’d spent together. Monday brought the time to say goodbye, but I think we’re both certain we’ll meet again.
The Streets of Kampot
The city is a grid of streets laid out along both banks of a massive river. I explored the harbor area—which is poorer and more modest—as well as the city center designed for tourists.
I mostly got to know the streets from the back of a motorbike, so I skipped my usual walks this week. I didn’t mind at all.
I did, however, go for a long walk on Saturday. This gave me the chance to get to know the city in the usual way. I can now better see what makes Cambodia different from, say, Vietnam—at least in this part of the country. The streets are surprisingly clean and orderly. People are out on the streets here too, but the atmosphere in the evenings is different. They gather in larger groups and seem more active. I can’t quite put it into words. As I wrote in the introduction, I only have a feeling about it. The vibe is simply different.
The goal of my Saturday walk was to visit an aid organization. They were looking for someone to spend an hour and a half conversing in English with the locals. I discovered a very well-structured organization; they strive to help primarily in the field of education—not just for children, but for adults as well. When I visited, there was no one available to speak with. I wasn’t disappointed. I had given it a try. I’ll have opportunities elsewhere, with other people, to lend a hand. I had been curious and looked forward to talking with the locals. I ended up experiencing that in a different way.
I made quite a few “Happiness Interviews” in the city—including one with a local guy. He told me a lot about life there, and how the atmosphere in other parts of the country is quite different. It brought back memories of my experiences in Indonesia and Laos; we agreed that life is always different away from the tourist hotspots.
An Exciting Bus Ride
My bus set off early on Monday. I had prepared for a two-and-a-half-hour journey; it turned into five hours. I took a short series of photos: the first shows the driver examining the engine under the open hood; the second shows him lying underneath, peering out; and the third captures two people scratching their heads over a removed wheel.
The bus had broken down. Three passengers paid for a taxi and left. I decided I had the time to wait for the “rescue party” to arrive. I even tried walking three kilometers alongside the bus. It was an interesting experience.
I was heading to the city of Sihanoukville. Today—Tuesday—I am already here.
This city is beautiful, too, and it sits right by the sea. I’ve already had some special experiences over the past two days.
And I have a feeling that wonderful things await me in the days ahead as well.
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Short introduction