Goodbye to Phnom Penh

Yesterday we spent the morning walking the length of the city along the Riverside. We've finally mastered the art of saying no to the tuk-tuk drivers (the key is to smile and say no... they love the smiles!). After sending off a few postcards we noticed the "Seeing Hands - Massage by the Blind" center across from the post office. It was hot. Our bodies were tired. Seven dollars for a one-hour massage. Why not? Carly got a rub down from a blind man who caused a bit more pain than pleasure, but my woman was quite soothing. I wouldn't say it was as good as the massage I got after the half-marathon in Monterey, but it was definitely a relaxing way to spend an hour!

Kok, a Cambodian guy living at our guesthouse, took us in his tuk-tuk (lovingly named Nicola) to get some awesome Pho (a Vietnamese soup). After that, the three of us went around the corner to lounge poolside at a posh bar/restaurant. Between bouts of racing Kok across the pool he told us about how his parents escaped from the Khmer Rouge. He said his mother and father were taken from their home and tied to a line with about 50 other prisoners. As they were walking late at night his father loosened himself from his handcuffs, freed his wife, and they decided to run. Pretty amazing.

Late last night were had a hunkering for sweets and discovered that a pint of Haagan Daas is $14!!! No ice cream for me!

This morning we went back to the Russian market to haggle for some artwork. On the way we passed by a huge party. Carly asked, "What is that? A talent show?" I responded, "I thought it was a wedding!" Guess we'll never know. Robbie, Steph's friend from Brown who is working as an editor for the Phnom Penh Post, treated us to lunch. Though the sweet and sour chicken was delicious, about halfway through the meal my face started to burn and sweat profusely. I thought it was just my dad's genes shining through until Nate pointed out that I had touched the chili's with my hands and then touched my hands to my face! Lesson learned.

We got our Vietnamese visas so we're ready to board the 8 hour bus bright and early tomorrow morning. Goodbye Cambodia, good morning Vietnam!