Defining Happy

Today was my last day in Siem Reap and it was definitely eventful. I hung out all day with a couple from Houston that I had met through the guesthouse owner. I wanted to book a city tour and since I was by myself the tour guide with the air-conditioned bus wouldn’t take me because he wouldn’t make enough money to make the trip worth it.

The guesthouse owner came to my room and told me that he had asked a couple if I could go with them for the day and it was already settled. Of course I was mortified. I did not want to be the third wheel and ruin these people’s vacation. I asked him where they were so I could introduce myself. A few minutes in to talking with Michael and Jessie my stomach was in knots. These are two of the funniest and coolest people you’d ever meet. And they were cool with me tagging along on their tour.

The next day we hopped in the tuk tuk and we were immediately asked to pay more since we were now a trio.  Our ignoring the drivers request for us to add a few more dollars to the bill had him acting pissy for the rest of the day.

Our tour consisted of a visit to the Royal Palace, killing fields, and a few other sites.  The day overall was an emotional rollercoaster. From learning about the gruesome details of the killing of millions in Cambodia in the late 70s to cutting up and acting a complete fool during our self-guided tour of the Royal palace. By the end of it all we were spent. But also hungry.

Skulls of those murdered during the Khmer Rouge regime

Actual dead body

Fancy Royal Palace grounds

Mike had told me about a TV show he saw where the chef Anthony Bourdain had “happy pizza” in Cambodia. I couldn’t believe that people would openly advertise and sell pizza sprinkled with a whole lot of “happy” on top so I called Mike’s bluff and joined them for a pizza. Well uh… fast forward to one hour later when we found ourselves getting medieval on an ice-cream and sitting on the balcony of the ice-cream shop.  We had blood shot red eyes, were discussing the most random and ridiculous things, and laughing hysterically. 😐

The minature adults masquerading as children who scammed us out of our hard earned money.

So uh, I guess that wasn’t extra oregano on my pizza after all. Anyway, it took about 30 hours for the happiness to wear off. Not a good idea when you’ve got get up butt early in the morning to take a bus that will cross a border into another country. D’oh. :-/

I’m so much of a genius sometimes that it’s scary 😐

Shout out to Mike and Jessie. (special effects added to protect their identities 😉

Mike, Jessie and their extra happy pizza.