A Restless Night and a New Morning
On August 31st, I woke up after a restless night in my tent outside a Korean restaurant. At midnight, a pack of dogs surrounded me, barking loudly and leaving me unable to sleep. Still, I was safe.
By dawn, the town had already come alive. Cambodians seem to start their day early—at 5 a.m., vendors were setting up stalls and shouting to attract customers with impressive energy. As my young travel companion slept, I worked for a while by the tent. Never had I imagined I’d be doing work outside a restaurant in Cambodia after a night on the ground.
Struggles with Food and Small Discoveries
I tried an energy drink to lift my spirits, but it was so unpleasant I could hardly swallow it. Breakfast at a street stall didn’t go well either—the flavors clashed so badly I had trouble eating. Yet, with 70 kilometers ahead, I forced myself to finish most of it.
Once he woke up, we thanked the restaurant manager for his kindness and began cycling again. Along the road, we passed cows wandering freely. Their innocent stares seemed to ask, “Why are you riding here?” It was both amusing and comforting.
Soon, I stopped at a roadside stand where an older woman sold ice pops. I bought coconut and strawberry flavors, only to find that both tasted strongly of coconut. These unexpected tastes often break my assumptions, and I appreciate that.
The sky was clear, perfect for riding. I knew challenges would come, but the road invited me to push forward.
Encounters Along the Road
After several dozen kilometers, I stopped to rest. When I asked for a “tasty drink,” they brought me a beer. Alongside it came a fiery snack, something like dried noodles coated in spice. It burned my mouth, but paired perfectly with the drink. I ended up napping for an hour and a half in the comfort of that place.
Not long after, I was drawn into a local drinking party. They welcomed me warmly, serving food and raising glasses in cheer. Among the dishes was frog, which tasted surprisingly like chicken—tender and flavorful. Another group joined in, and the energy was youthful, full of laughter and voices rising above the music. I had once heard Cambodians often invite travelers to their gatherings, and now I knew it was true.
A Place to Rest at Last
The day passed quickly. Though I had drunk more beer than I should, I realized I had eaten very little. Luckily, I found a huge piece of fried chicken, about twice the size of one back home, for the equivalent of a dollar. It gave me just the strength I needed.
As evening approached, I searched for a safe place to set up camp. A kind security guard offered me a spot, reassuring me it was safe—this was a special economic zone, free from trouble and even dogs. Rain began to fall as I pitched my tent. Dinner was a simple noodle soup, but it revived me completely.
Standing under the rain, I washed the day’s exhaustion from my body. It felt like a blessing, a gift to cleanse and prepare me for tomorrow. With a full heart, I drifted to sleep, believing the next day would be just as kind.
