Going and Coming Back

Once again, I find myself sitting in the Bangkok airport, this time on my way back to Phnom Penh. It's very early in the morning, and (as is usual for me) I did everything ahead of schedule. I got up at 4 and was out of the house by 5, getting me to the airport by 5:30 for my flight that departs at 7:40. Oh well…what's an extra thirty minutes of sleep?

I have a lot more to look forward to going back to Cambodia. I have several things to do this week at work, and I think Linda is going to come with me some days and teach me Khmer (as well as helping me translate). Should be nice to have her around. It's amazing what a difference having people to interact with makes. And of course, the two meals a day don't hurt the outlook either. I may be getting a refrigerator this week, which would be really exciting. Although now, I don't really need one for anything except water. But cold drinking water would be a nice little luxury to have.

I'm in Phnom Penh for all of a week, and then back to Bangkok and then on to France. I'm really excited. Sometimes I wonder if I'm neglecting the real experience of "being in Cambodia for a year," and after much thought, I decided not. I may not be living the experience I expected, but is that really so bad? I feel that I'm accomplishing two primary goals right now, and both are goals that have been and will be with me for my entire life: enjoying myself and learning something. Just by being in this part of the world, essentially on my own (but not by myself anymore – note the subtle difference) is a great challenge for me. Leaving the country every few weeks doesn't remove that challenge. Could I stay in Cambodia for a month without leaving? Maybe. Do I have to? No.

I love traveling, and the more I do, the more I want. I cannot stand still, even in a foreign place. I'm sure I'll eventually settle down some, but right now, I'm twenty-one with a restless spirit.