------------------UNDERNEATH THE SURFACE------------------ (Sex Trade Documentary)

After 26 ½ hours I arrived in Phnom Penh anxious to get through customs, receive my visa and start my adventure. When I walked outside it was warm and sticky, but supposedly overcast and cool compared to normal. It was nice that we could ease into the heat a bit. Jennifer and Steph, two women that were to be a part of the initial group that would be going to Cambodia, were in the Taipei, Taiwan airport. It was a pleasant surprise to see them before we reached Cambodia, and to have someone else to be with me while I applied for my Visa.

Each plane ride I sat by people that were awesome. From PDX to LAX I sat next to a young woman from the Troutdale area in Oregon and we talked practically the entire time, it was a blast. It sure made the flight “fly” by. ;) When I got to the LA airport it was crazy. I had to leave the airport, walk down this really long sidewalk to an entirely different building, the international building. Once I walked in, it was chaotic and overwhelming how many people there were in long lines. I had no clue where I was suppose to go, but after asking a few people I was directing to the right place. There was only two people in front of me and I got through right away. I was afraid I’d have to stand a long line for hours and miss my flight.

Once getting my tickets I had to re-enter through security again, where there were was an even longer line! Thank God it was not the line I needed to be in. ☺ I got through security relatively quickly and by the time I made it to my gate I had more than an hour to sit and devise my plan of attack for teaching the girls cinematography/editing. There were these creepy guys in line for security though, trying to ask me all kinds of questions about my trip. The one guy asked me twice, so are you traveling all alone. Okay, so I’m not that stupid and I let them know that I was meeting a bunch of people and wasn’t specific in any of my answers. I know, I’m smart. ;)

From LAX to Taipei, the LONG 12 hr. flight, I sat next to this woman and her little 6 year old girl. They were both really sweet. The mother grew up in Taipei, moved to Brazil and met her husband. They have been living in California for 16 years now. Her and her husband speak Mandarin, Portuguese, and English, but can understand several other languages as well. It was nice talking to her and playing with her little girl, who also speaks Mandarin.

I was pleasantly surprised that I slept quite well on the plane. I read some of the documentary book, played games on my individual TV set that was placed in the back of the chair in front of me, watched some National Geographic, and the first Narnia movie. We had several meals and snacks throughout the flight which were great. It was so cute how all the flight attendents wore these cute little outfits with matching aprons when serving the food. It was a huge airplane! The entire plane was mainly Asian people, with a sprinkling of Caucasians. It’s interesting to be the minority, it doesn’t seem to bother me yet though.

At the Taipei airport I ran into Steph and Jennifer who were getting tokens for the free chair massages. I followed suit and we sat for about 15mins getting massaged in this “relaxing room” with actual plants, flowers and wall pictures of exotic landscapes. It was great, and well needed after the long plane ride.

On the last leg of our trip I sat by this precious little old lady who was originally from Cambodia. She now resides in the state of Washington. Although it was quite hard to understand her at times, we talked a bunch, she was a kick. I helped her with theVisa application when we made it to Cambodia, even though I didn’t know what the heck I was even doing. ☺ Seemed to work out though. As we were descending I could see Cambodia, mainly large areas of brown water.

Once in Cambodia, we were all ushered to the Visa area. There were people everywhere with masks on and it was a little disconcerting, but I brushed it off. If I had to deal with all kinds of people coming into the country, I’d probably wear a mask too. We got through the Visa area, got our bags right away, and went through customs with no problems, whew I had all that behind me and could just begin enjoying my trip.

Athena, James, Jaya, Huston & Becky were all waiting for us when we came out of the airport. It was wet and hot, but not too bad. We got in the van and took off towards our hotel. There were a lot of people on the road, mainly on motorbikes, zipping in and out of the correct lane, and even weaving between cars. It was madness, I can’t believe how brave, or crazy, these people are. There was young and old people driving the motorbikes with nothing but flip flops, shorts and t-shirts on for the most part. I saw people carrying large loads of fruit while on the motorbikes, and at one point I saw a man and wife holding their infant as they cruised down the road! There aren’t much in the way of traffic laws in Cambodia. Many people (cars & motorbikes) were just cruisin’ down the wrong side of the road like it was no big deal.

As we drove through town there was just so much to take in. Motorbikes for sale, fruit for sale, you name it. I was excited to arrive at the hotel and get to my room and get everything settled in. Jennifer and Steph are on the first floor (ground 0), and I’m on the third floor (really the 4th floor), what’s up with that?! All I have to say is that I’m going to be in amazing shape after this trip is over. ☺

The rooms are equipped with fans and AC, yeah! I have a big room with a desk, a nice size refrigerator, an armoire and large bathroom with a shower. The best part though is that I have this beautiful balcony outside my room where I can see people, buildings, and I think some Buddhist Pagoda . I was so tired from my long flight, but we needed to stay up until at least 8pm to get acclimated to Cambodian time, which is 14 hours ahead!

After checking into the hotel we all went to dinner and then Jennifer, Steph & I had an amazing 1 hour foot/leg massage for $7! ☺ The girls were so cute and sweet, the place was very pretty and relaxing. They soaked our feet in warm water with rose petals and other nice smelling things. Then they massaged our feet with oil, ending in a little neck, upper back, & shoulder massage which was a pleasant surprise. We were then served warm tea and some sort of cookie. Needless to say I crashed as soon as I got back to the hotel.