First thing to do in the Cambodia Border, Poi Pet (Episode 4)

    This was where all my adventures began. I was unprepared and rushed, with nothing planned in advance. I hadn’t even done enough research to know that USD is widely used in the country.

    After leaving the border station, I arrived in the town of Poi Pet. A few men approached, offering SIM cards and taxi services. I declined all of them and headed straight to Starbucks, which was conveniently located just outside the station. I didn’t have any SIM card, Cambodian Riel (KHR), or USD - only Thai Baht and a Thai Visa card. Thankfully, Starbucks had Wi-Fi, and they accepted Baht, which was a bonus.

    I decided to sit in, ordering a croissant and latte. I must mention that one of the baristas was exceptionally beautiful and fluent in English. We had a great conversation about various things, mostly Cambodian customs, and she was incredibly helpful. She even sketched those, as shown in the picture on my reusable cup, and I was so dumb that I didn’t see it until just before I left.


Sketches she did for me

Cambodia riel (KHR) that they returned 

    When I was about to leave, she was busy - I waited a bit to say goodbye but left soon, not wanting to interrupt her, plus I had far too many things to worry about. When I later returned to Thailand through this very border, I even went back to that Starbucks hoping to see her, but it seemed our story had already ended.

    Then began my adventure of finding a SIM card. The locals didn’t speak much English, so I couldn’t communicate well with them, and I didn’t have internet which meant no Google translate. So, I ended up wandering around until I found a mobile store.

    (continue reading on episode 5)

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