Seahorse Statue fountain in Kampot, Cambodia. Photo by my daughter, who did not buy the middle-aged man a chicken.
My daughter did not buy the middle-aged man a chicken.
She has been traveling throughout Asia since last November and had just arrived in Kampot, a good-sized city in Cambodia known for Kampot pepper. Kampot pepper is said to be the finest pepper in the world. It’s the first Cambodian product to receive “Protected Geographical Indication Status” from the European Union, which means it has the same legal protection and status as Champagne and Roquefort cheese. The town is nestled along a river and is a favorite of expats. She’d had a long day of travel that included two hours of waiting for a train that ended up being an hour late.
She checked into her hostel and headed to a small convenience store just to buy shampoo.
She was at the counter, paying for her items, when a white man burst in (probably American, judging from his accent) and made a beeline for her. He ignored everyone else in the store, told her he hadn’t eaten all day, said he was hungry, and asked if she could buy him a chicken.
She said no. Just no.
After she spoke, he said, “Are you American? Where are you from?”
She said, “I do not want to talk right now,” or something close to that. But he didn’t go away. He kept pushing, pushing.
Finally, she said, “Yo, dude! I’m a broke backpacker too. Why are you even asking me this?”
Finally, he left.
Thankfully, he left.
I was so proud of her. Continue Reading…
