Well it's relaxed reflective holiday time.
So maybe good to recall some of our wierd/wonderful/special little Cambodian moments.
Those memorable little snippets which become a crucial part in defining our own personal Cambodia.
I'll start...

The time
Way way back in the good old days- when cambodian roads were cambodian roads,
and cambodian share taxis were cambodian share taxis.

The trip;
Kampot to Kompong Saom.
Depart 1 pm. Late
Old old Camry. Standard..
With 9 pp. Not great.
It's May. Storm season and the rain has started.

The journey
At that time the road was stark naked, totally undressed in the name of "improvements"
So it was a bit like my first marriage - all voluptuous curves and deep warm puddles.

So we twisted, turned and surfed our little Camry all afternoon and into the night. All 9 of us.
No worries - arrived safe, weary and relieved 9 hours later.
No story here - sardine-tight and cramping agony were par for the course back then.

The magic
Was the ancient, wiry, almost weightless old monk, complete with authentic wire rimmed spectacles and 2 or 3 gold teeth.
Squeezed right up next to me - seated on the driver's lap.
Yep, on the driver's lap.

The teacher
I did not know it at the the time.
But that monk's countenance, his demeanour and attitude, as we endured every thumping bump, every jab, every tight and tortuous cramp - is imprinted forever in my mind.
And is still my guide, my "basic text", for enduring the many long tortures that remain as a part of our cambodian life today.

Come on story tellers, your turn....