the bus ride

Here, the cheapest way to travel anywhere is by bus. Let me share a fun story from the weekend about that...

Three hour bus ride north to Kampong Cham for $3.50? Great deal! I barely made it to the bus station because I got the driver entirely turned around--going to the Sorya MALL not the Sorya BUS STATION. But no biggie, I made it onto my seat before the 11:30am departure with a few minutes to spare. First trip out of the city alone. No worries. I have my snacks. And my book about Theravada Buddhism I'm reading. And my toilet paper and bandaids. I'm set to go. The lady next to me is giggling at my goofy attempts at small talk. No problem, this is great. And the view is beautiful.... 

Journal Entry ~ 1pm Friday, October 29th

"On the bus to Kampong Cham. More specifically--I'm sitting on a bus going no where at the moment. I wonder how long it will take to change the completely blown front tire. I sat here for awhile after we screeched to a halt, wondering what was going on, but was content enough not to know. Until I kept seeing guys haul various metal rods and pipes from the back storage compartment past my window. I went out the door to inspect -- tripping over the stairs for the third time today. 

Diagnosis: we're going to be sitting here for a long time. 

There was a man laying under the front of the bus when I walked off to get snacks from a food cart in the distance. I realized upon approach that there was only one snack option--a frozen ice cream "push up" resembling a banana on a stick. Everyone's watching the only white girl dig through her purse stuffed with books and a camera, so now's not the time to decline purchasing this food for any reason. I'm committed. Lick. Lick. Smile. (tastes a bit like a fart). Linger....then start to walk back to the bus and sneak into the bushes to pitch it along the way. 

Approach the bus. They're still removing the lugnuts. It's been 45 minutes. Maybe it's time for a nap.

...and then, as if out of nowhere, they roll the huge flat tire ONTO the bus--down the center aisle to the back--and off we go!

For five minutes. And then another 30 minute stop at the roadside tire shop and some mechanic work involving a generator and hoses. And then another short drive to a restaurant for a full-on meal break. 

SO three hours is really five hours. Good thing for the Cambodian pop mixed tape blaring on repeat the whole time. Ahh.... the $3.50 bus ride! :-)