[Faidenk]

The Next Few Days Pt 4

A couple of nights ago, after a long bus trip back from Pakse, Laos in which the bus was delayed 2 hours at the Cambodian side of the border over some ‘non-compliance’ of visa regulations by a Nigerian passenger and his Thai girlfriend, I finally stepped in the apartment at 9.

A badly needed shower later, I was ready to rehydrate. We hopped onto a tuk-tuk and directed the driver to St 136. St. 136 is a street just off the famed riverside area. Fronting the riverside, called Sisowath Quay, is a stretch of lounges, and restaurants, massage parlors, even one of those fish massage, not much unlike Boat Quay. Most of these are tastefully done up, unlike the many girlie bars in streets just off Sisowath. The street with the most girlies is the 136, with at least 10. Candy, Pussycat, which I’ve mentioned in Pt 2 are among the bigger ones here. Other smaller ones, no less popular, includes 69, Sisslers (now my fav).

Last night in Sisslers, I told this fair girl, Lina, I heard ‘gancha’ are easily available, just in passing. I was thinking more in line of trying a Happy Pizza. She excused herself for a while, came back. In about 15 minutes a Khmer guy came in the doo, she met him half way and came back to her seat, that is, my lap, with a 3 x 4 inch ziplock bag of the stuff, close to an inch thick, and asked me for $10. My hands were probably shaking as I counted the money. Jeez!

Smoking marijuana is illegal, however because of some legal loophole, consuming it as a herb is not. So some smart entrepreneur sprinkled some on a pizza and it took off from there. I also had it, it was added to a chicken stewed with banana flower on a farm a Khmer friend owns in Kampong Cham, a province. It’s a hardy farmers fare so don’t expect it served at your friendly Michelin starred restaurant.

When the pool table was available, we (VC and our 2 girls) went up to the upper deck. From there we could see the action below. I rolled a joint quickly, went out to the river bank where it was devoid of anybody due to the slight drizzle, lit up and shared the joint with VC. We came back with a wide smile on our faces and it stayed there until we reached home.

The first time I met Lina the previous week, I didn’t pay much attention to her due to a dead ringer for Zoe Tay, or so I thought in my inebriated state, who, between shots on the pool table, was fiddling about my zipper. I did however tip her a dollar when I left, which, she told me, was something even barangs seldom do.

This time, Lina was a whole lot friendlier. She’s 25, speaks English fairly well, fair of complexion, maybe 1.5m tall, with deep dimples, which at certain angles, reminds me of Jack Nicholson’s Joker, only it’s not unattractive. Actually although she denied it she looks more Vietnamese than Khmer. She’s witty and caught on my repartees easily. When another girl asked her to translate an SMS, I asked whether she received SMSes from barang as well – professing love or advising money transfer. It caught her off-guard for a minute, recovered and sweetly said she doesn’t go with barangs so how would any be sending her money? I left it at that. It was just let it be known I know the game.

We became even friendlier after the joint, she backing her impressive bum into me. Well, will you be going home with a barang for the first time tonight? I asked her. No, she replied. I was disappointed. To me principles and bargirls just don’t belong together in the same sentence if anything, it’s just a matter of price.

I had just bought a pack of Kamagra at a neighborhood pharmacy and was eager to try it out. Viagra was a whopping $33 for a pack of 4. The Kamagra was only $1.80 per pill (yes, it’s available loose). I’ll get the Cialis the next time.

Not tonight, she eventually said, monthly thing and laughed at the ‘gotcha’. My faith in humanity restored, I ordered another round of beer.

VC seemed to be getting along well with his 20 year-old but who looked younger. I was a little surprised when we walked out of the bar bare-handed.

One more thing, we resolved to hit this bar no later than 6.30 the next time. Happy hour is 1 for 1 until 9. 8 mugs to me is just about when all the girls start looking good, 10, I walk with 2 left feet. So, for $5 for 8 beers, another $3 for tips, or maybe a ladies’ drink at $3. A very good evening could be had for between $10 to $15.