Reflecting on 2 years in Cambodia
The things that initially shocked me the most about Siem Reap was the poverty, specifically, fewer infrastructures (i.e. the lack of paved roads, how dirty it was), and how much better Cambodians spoke English.
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Chiang Mai versus Siem Reap: an expat weighs in
I’ve compared the two cities via transportation, accommodation, shopping, visas and more.
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Day trip to Kulen Mountain!
Just like Tonle Sap, I’ve wanted to check out Kulen Mountain for some time. But it can be expensive, so I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity. And said opportunity finally came a’knockin’ on my front door this month when my friend’s sister was visiting. Gotta love visitors!
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Tips for finding an apartment in Siem Reap
We’ve been here for about a year which makes us expert expats in Siem Reap. Now, in Thailand, like Chiang Mai, if you are an expat for less than 3 years you are a fledgling, considered a mere babe in the eyes of wizened and longer-lasting expats who probably will be all too eager to…
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How much space do I really need? (moving sucks)
Our biggest worry when we moved into this apartment was space. Will we have enough? Where was everything going to go?
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Reflecting back on my first crazy year in Siem Reap
On July 15, 2015 we moved from Chiang Rai, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Yippee! Right? Wrong! First of all, there was no honeymoon phase for me. As you might remember, it was looking for a place to live straight away and starting work.
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Further impressions + updates on life in Siem Reap
Negotiate a river by following its bends, enter a country by following its customs. – Cambodian Proverb It’s been 7 months since we landed in Siem Reap and I still don’t feel ready to write about it, at least with any authority. The problem is I lived in Thailand since 2010 (if I don’t count…
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Why I love Angkor Wat
Most folks were surprised to hear that I went to Angkor Wat for 3 days. I suppose people generally visit for one or two days, but not 3. As much as I’d like to confess that I’m a hard-core nerd, I’m just an average Jane who majored in Archaeology and enjoys being in nature. And…
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At home in Siem Reap (part 2)
I wake up to the sound of our local handyman sawing ice. It’s a slow sounding push, the rhythm, soft, the ice surrendering to Jahb’s saw. His saw appears rusty, prehistoric, with fine-long-sharp teeth. Sometimes he runs the ice through a “shaved ice” machine that was once red, it sounds old and temperamental, but he…
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At home in Siem Reap
Thailand is sooo easy compared to living in Cambodia. Something that takes three steps here, took one step back in T-land. Even with many Cambodians’ better command of English, the conveniences of Thailand can’t be beat. After all, there are greater numbers of tourists visiting Thailand and I’m willing to wager, more expats, too.
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