Following the zoo episode in Phnom Penh, my day continued to prove interesting! My tuk-tuk driver, Buntho, offered to take me to the Bokator fights at the RCAF stadium. Having watched a few fights on one of the tv channels, I knew that it wasn't going to be Lumphini, but it could be fun! Although I sat napping in my hotel room for a while, contemplating whether I really wanted to go with him. In the end, I decided what the hell, and met him outside at the pre-arranged time. He had his motorcycle, not the tuk-tuk, and off we went!!
The fights had started earlier than when we arrived, so I only got to see 3 fights (fight night sponsored by Carabao too!), but they were scrapey, hard-fought, very ugly fights! Little technique, simply swinging for the fences and looking to murder the other person! Very rough. The stadium was essentially a gym with a ring and a live band and the tv crew filming for Channel 5.
After the fights, we were headed back downtown and Buntho suggested that we go for some food. Sure, why not. So, my evening out turned into a date!! Go figure - I have to go all the way to Cambodia to meet a nice, cute single guy who will go to fights and then out for dinner and live music all in one night!!
We went to this strange Khmer supper club with a stage and Khmer music where, Buntho said, all the rich people come to. We ordered deer (which turned out to be more of a jerky than fresh meat, and tasted a bit funny), and then crocodile (which was really good!) and drank beer and watched the show. Entertaining to say the least. Although I kept having to fend off Buntho's advances and offers to come back to my hotel room with me that evening! He told me about his family, his job, life in Phnom Penh, and about his marathon races - he runs a fast marathon, 3 hours! By 9pm though, after a full day in the sun and on the back of the motorcycle, I was ready to crash and asked to be taken home (without him!! my god this boy was persistent!). We did exchange email addresses though, so maybe next year I'll see him again.
Yesterday, I had a morning and most of the afternoon to kill before heading out to the airport. I went for breakfast, and then walked down to the Citadel knife shop and purchased a medium sized folder with a carbon steel blade and a buffalo horn handle. I had been looking at it earlier in the trip, so decided it would make a good souvenir. I got booted out of my hotel room around 11:30am, so had lunch in the hotel pub, then grabbed a tuk-tuk to the airport. The Phnom Penh airport is so small! There are only a few windows to check in, so it's done by flight. Once I checked in, I did a bit of airport shopping, got a book and some post-cards, and then chilled before my flight.
I must admit it's nice being back in Bangkok. I like Cambodia, but there's just something about it that makes me a bit nervous. Coming back to Bangkok felt like a relief in some ways. I dropped my gear off at the SamSenSam hotel, my new home-away-from-home in BKK, and then wandered down to Khao San for some food. I'm currently waiting out the time before grabbing a mini-bus to Ban Rai to go to my first week of training. And editing the Tabitha newsletter article. Can't wait! Although I say that with trepidation because (1) my stomach is gurgling, and (2) my foot is a bit sore!! Could be interesting. Wish me luck!
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