They’re everywhere, all day long. They’ve got plastic baskets of bracelets, strings of origami fish folded out of silk scraps, little handbags, cheap photocopies of guidebooks, postcards, postcards, postcards. You see them at 6 in the morning and at 11 at night. You think they should be in bed, at school, on the playground… at an early morning breakfast in the Angkor Complex, I watched an 11(ish) year old boy go back and forth between taking orders and selling souvenirs while his much smaller brother focused on moving the postcard inventory.… continued…

After I’d calmed down enough from Toul Sleng prison to breathe, we headed back to the bus. We had a little time left before the rest of our group reappeared, so J, N, and I dropped in to a shop that sold handicrafts made by women. The place was full of beautiful silk scarves, beaded handbags, little toys made from raw silk, pretty little bags… The women sat on the floor, piles of sparkling beads and glowing threads in front of them in little baskets.… continued…

1. Camera. Hello.
2. Hat: Keeps sun off and helps contain exploding head.
3. Super lightweight long sleeved shirt. Respectful and free from sunburn.
4. Backpack. Contains extra batteries, compact flash cards, water, snacks, painkillers for head explosions, TP, bug juice, hand cleaner, and snacks.
5. Super lightweight below the knee shorts. Respectful and free from sunburn.
6. Sturdy hiking sandals.

Optional Thought Bubble: Useful for storing ideas like, “That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!” or “Oh My God! I’m touching an elephant!” or “I think my head is going to explode!” or “Holy cats!… continued…

And here are 2000 words that explain why.

… continued…