border crossing

26/03/10

Such a different energy here in Cambodia. I am on the 3rd floor of a hotel facing the river. In the distance I can hear the music, fast and exciting. It is 8:30 pm. People are more lively here. They call to me, try to sell me things. Hello. Hello. More direct than the Lao. I am back in the world. Heading home.

We got on the boat early this morning to return to the mainland Our guesthouse owner was the boatman. He packed us all in, laughing. All 8 of us and all our luggage. The boat was low in the water. Luckily it had rained yesterday and the water level had risen.

We glided between the rocks and small islands and got to the dirty landing. The boatman divided us into two groups. He pushed the group heading north onto the side and gestured at them to wait. Those of us crossing the border into Camb odia, he motioned to get onboard the waiting bus. I found a seat and settled in. As we are pulling out, a knock on my window. The boatman is gesturing goodbye. I wave. He throws a kiss and goes. I am touched.

Crossing the border into Cambodia is a gentle affair. It is all about one dollar bills. At every stop, another dollar bill. Leaving Laos, one dollar. Entering Cambodia a dollar for the quarantine check . This is a new scam according to a fellow traveller. Put in place recently. The officer pushes a digital thermometer onto my forehead. 35.8, he shows me. He hands me a certificate written in Cambodian and asks for a dollar. The visa is $23 and then another dollar for processing. Everyone is getting his cut.