Can it get any worse? aka 40 hours to Siem Ream part II

Ok, I know it has been over three months, but I have to finish my story. If I am going to be any kind of writer, I have to see things through. I can’t leave my readers hanging. Of course now the passion is gone. I don’t feel the zest for writing this that I felt the following day, but I must finish what I started.

I left you hanging at the train station. So here it is…I watched the tall Englishwoman for a good hour before I went up to her. Part of my hesitation was due to fatigue. I just didn’t want to move! But then I saw her starting to talk to another guy, and I though "OK, she is receptive" I have to go make friends. After all traveling alone is all about making friends. You meet the most interesting people that way and my train journey to and from Ananya Prathet provided me with the best friends I had on this trip. After all it IS a 7 hour train ride.

I went to use the WC and returned slightly refreshed and ready to face the strangers. After all the last time I had done this was when I met Sean on my flight to England, and I ended up marrying and divorcing him. Needless to say I was wee bit rusty. "Mind if I sit with you?" I said to the 2 talking away. "Not at all! The more the merrier" came the answer. WHEW! Ok, so I squeezed in but immediately realized I didn’t really belong in their world. Me; with my red roller suitcase and LowePro camera bag. Them; with their Lowe Alpine can-fit-a-small-family-of-twelve back packs. Well at least our labels matched. I sat down anyway. After all we were all LowePro users. How bad could it be?

We started the usual chatter. She in her late 20s, working for film and television in England, and he, a German, on a soul searching journey. Very much a young one, trying hard to find his identity. Nothing wrong with that. I wish I had done it when I was that age......ooooooh I sound so old!

Before I knew it, it was time to board the train. Our 48 Bhat tickets had secured us a place in third class, but if we wanted, we could pay on board to upgrade. We decided to see just how bad third class was before we spent the extra dollar for first. Actually the trains were fine. Hard seats, but clean with ceiling fans and big windows. It was a rickety train, and we did expect to derail a few times, but overall the ride was quite nice and the scenery was lush and beautiful.
Also much to my surprise the bathrooms were quite clean. Even the Koreans don’t seem to get that right. I liked the Thais already!

I spent most of the trip with my head out the window. The temperature and the breeze combination were perfect, and the huge windows had no covers at all. I also sat on the steps for some time between train cars. The scenery was tranquil, punctuated with the most ornate gold-roofed temples. I could look at that view forever!

Everything had a fine coat of red dust, as did we at the end of our journey.

The train made about 6000 stops. One of these days I would like to take that rain again and get off at each stop, spend about 24 hours photographing that town or village and publish a book of it. The most interesting people kept getting on and off that train with the wildest assortment of "luggage" (if you can call it that)

We spent the 7 hours getting to know each other, sharing our food and sampling the food sold on the train by the old ladies. I would give my right arm for some of the food they had on that train. Sticky rice and mangoes, baby coconuts with straws stuck in them, and the usual pop and water on ice. They know how to make life comfortable with the small things. Ice is a novelty in Korea even in the hellish heat of summer. I mean how hard is it to freeze water??

About midday we pulled into Ananya Prathet. A poor and sparse border town serving one purpose only; populating the border! There have been disputes over the years whether Ananya Prathet belonged to Thailand or Cambodia. Presently it is on the Thai map.

As we got off the train we were approached by a sleazy, greasy mid-twenties guy selling us an "Air-conditioned bus tour" to Siem Reap. We knew this was a long and rough ride as the Cambodian Government still recovering from the Khmer Rouge does not have the funds to pave these roads. We thought the A/C would be a nice touch, and followed the man like sheep. Little did we know that a series of bad decision, beginning with this one would make our journey to Siem Ream a hellish one.

But then trauma does bring people closer together, doesn’t it?

Continued in Part III

Inkblot test

I love taking these things late a tnight. ALL 56 QUESTIONS. Man I need a life eh??

Tickle's Original Inkblot Test
Reveal Your Subconscious Mind
Katrin, your subconscious mind is driven most by Peace

You have a deeply-rooted desire to make peace in the world. Whether through subtle interactions with loved ones, or through getting involved in social causes, it is important to you to be able to influence the world in a positive way.You have a deep respect for humankind. You care about the future of the world, even beyond your own involvement in it, and you inspire others to feel the same way. Your innate drive toward peace guides you in daily life towards decisions that are respectful toward yourself and others. Your psyche is very rich; the more you learn about it, the more you will understand who you really are.

a little bit of muscle goes a long way

And since I dont have any, I had to resort to the Labour board.

Last week I was sick. Korean mentally says "You must go to work no matter how sick and contageous you are" which to me is just plain retarded. Especially when you think, if you rest the day you feel a cold coming on, you nip it in the bud, and not spread your germs to all you co-worker.

Add to this the pleasure of teaching dumb-ass grade school students, where you have to yell at them all the time, and you end up with a nightmare scenario.

So last Tuesday, considering I had no voice and the school is an ice box, I thought I really should call in sick. I tried getting a hold of my boss to no avail and ended up talking to his wife. I said " I dont think I should go in like this. Can you let me know if you can spare me, or if you need me for a few classes today". No call till 2:30. I start teaching at three.

My boss called me screaming at me telling me I couldnt call in sick so late etc. I ended up going to work and giving my two month notice. Let's face it, no one deserves to be screamed at for being legitimaly sick, and this guy has a temper issue. I have had a tete-a-tete with him before. He needs ot know, you shit on your employees, you will be shit on right back. To top it off he is Canadian, and younger than me. AND he is from Newfoundland: The firendliest province in Canada. We think he got voted off the Island. There are a lot of people here who just dont fit in anywhere else. But that's another story!

He did his usual not-thinking-knee-jerk-reaction and gave me a one month notice. So much the better, I said. I dont really want to be there 2 more months.

Well dont you know he went and took it back the next day. He also went and took back a bunch of stuff he promised me before hand. I didnt blow up at him, but as the night progressed last Tuesday I got more and more angry and I couldnt sleep. So I called the Labour board.

Turns out what he was trying to do to me was illegal. HAH! That'll teach him to mess with an Armenian. So the LB called him and informed him of this minor detail. I went to work the following day, got what I deserved and was promised served up to me with a smile and all because I made a wee phone call.

Bottom line is, they think we are alone here, and unaware of the law, and they can walk all over us. They need to learn a thing or two. And thankfully the Korean Government is on the side of the little people cause a lot of us have been screwed around in this hell hole.

Here is the letter I sent them about "my concerns"

Dear Mr. XXXXXX and Ms. XXXX;

I spoke to the labor board regarding the discussion Mr. XXXXXX and I had yesterday. I was told that since I began working at your school on February 3rd, this would be considered my official start date. Also, according to Korean Labor law you must pay all statutory holidays from this date on even if it falls one day after the start of the contract period/ start date. Simply, I started my contract on the 3rd and therefore my pay will begin on the third.


As for delaying my pay for two weeks, since my contract states 7days, it must remain 7 days and cannot be changed without written agreement from both parties. I am sure you will understand that this is not agreeable to me.

Please follow any correspondence regarding this matter in writing from this date forward.

I hope this clears up any issues you may have with my pay and or my pay date.
I will expect my pay on the 10th of March, which is today (11th is also acceptable for your convenience).

Thank you in advance;



Katrin Faridani


Now I just have to decide if I want to stay in this HH another few months or go elsewhere.

Seoul is good for the soul

Hi all;

I havent written in a while, and I think those of you who know me, know that lack of communication is often a result of crustiness on the part of yours truly. In other words, if I have nothing good to say, I choose not to say anything at all.

Well Gwangju has been extreemely trying since I went home in September for Phillips funeral. I have often wondered why so many bad things happened to me after that trip, when I clearly went home for the"right reasons" but along the way, some good things have come out of this domino effect of these seemingly unfortunate events. Those of you who would not have been on this email list in September, are a testament to the good that has come of all this madness. You know who you are...wink!

So thanks to Norah Jones, my new friend Kim and I (photos below) made the pilgrimage to Seoul this weekend. On the way there I felt myself getting sick but the Faridani pig-headedness combined with strong-illegal-in-all-countries-except-Korea(and maybe Iran)-over-the-counter-drugs kept me going till late hours in the night.The concert was OK but the venue was not at all appropriate. NJ commented on the echo she could hear on stage and that was due to thefact that the floors were unfinished concrete and we were sitting on LAWN CHAIRS! Yes! Korea style, God love em. But hey as the English saying goes "Hunger is the best sauce" and we were starving for culture. Even if the culture was in the form of a 120 pound hippie-esque singer sitting 15 miles away on a tiny stage. We were happy. But as far as I am concerned the evening didnt even start until we hit Club CALIENTE! And baby was it hot!

I threw caution to the wind (as many of you have seen me do on numerous occasions) and I marched shamelessly and fearlessly onto the dance floor, grabbed a guy and went on to dance. Were the drugs THAT strong you ask? Well yes they were but I was powered by something far stronger. THE NEED TO SALSA!!!!! That's right folks,I found a Salsa club. The music was pumping through my veins andI had to get on it. I did, and man was it hot.

I dragged guy after guy onto the dance floor until all saw that I knew what I was doing and all I wanted to do was dance. Soon I didnt have to drag em anymore but line em up. I am not kidding folks. It was that good. I danced for 2 and a half glorious hours during which neither the flu nor sweat were words I was familiar with.Of course the Columbian, Puerto Rican and Peruvian US Army boys didnt hurt either. LOL

I made a decision. I am giving notice this week and getting a job in Seoul in May. Until then I will go there at least once a month and get out my YaYas!

There is nothing in the world better than dancing, and it lifted my spirits to the point where I was smiling and felt better than I have in a long time.So for those of you who have heard me say "I do not have an addictive personality", I need to make a slight ammendment to that statement. I am addicted to adrenaline and the rhythm of salsa coursing through my veins. Hey if there is one vice in life- I guess dancing till it hurts isnt a bad one. Safe and healthy.Now if I could only kick the Korean drugs mentioned above that make me feel SOOOOOO good! LOL!

And as far as the good fortunes amidst the bad ones go.... last but not least I was not in Puket but in the gulf of Thailand on December26th. A big thanks to God wherever or whoever she may be!Write me folks. I miss yas