I've heard that after the tour of the Killing Fields you can go to a shooting range to fire a grenade, a rocket launcher or an AK 47. Why you'd want to fire a gun after viewing mass graves is beyond my comprehension, but I met another American (of course) who fired a rocket launcher. He told me that you're able to buy a cow, sheep or chicken for a whopping $350 to shoot at if you want. How delightful.
I spent sometime roaming Phnom Penh as well; I was waiting for a visa to be cleared, and used the opportunity to get a massage, my first in Southeast Asia. Best 20 dollars I've ever spent and the perfect, relaxing escape from the noisy city. I love the freedom the city offers, motorbikes all around asking if I wanted a ride, I got anywhere in the city for a $1 as casually as riding in a taxi. I spent a day on the riverfront watching the aerobic exercises and the boys walking up and down the boulevard selling books and asking me if I wanted a boyfriend, no I replied, and they'd shake their head sadly as they say, I see, no money, no honey...
My hostel was linked to an advertising company who was looking for westerners to show off their products. They asked a group of us everyday to take our picture, and it was always for something different- sporting goods, grocery stores, and a cementing company. I never thought I'd get selected so I took off for Kampot. Kampot's a lovely French colonial town that sits on a river with a large and vibrant expat community. Of course I didn't get to enjoy any of it because I spent the two very rainy days in bed with food poisoning. If you've never had it, I don't recommend it, it's ten times worse then the flu and it'll eat at your soul, by the end of it I was ready to book a flight home. (but I didn't Mom, sorry!)
Surprisingly I was selected for a second casting for a cementing company, I returned to Phnom Penh and my time to shine had finally come. Not really, after doing two sets of on the spot acting, I learned two things: I'm a terrible actress and my enthusiasm can never be manufactured. I managed to disappoint the camera crew because I couldn't act "happy" enough. Let me tell you, its quite a skill to get overly excited about cement. It was a fun experience though and worth the shot at 200 bucks.
So now I'm escaping to Shinoukville, hoping to avoid the monsoonal rains and spend some time on those infamous Cambodian beaches. Till next time, Bollywood.