COPS

So far we've been stopped twice by the cops when we were hiring the motorcycles to get around. I admit that perhaps we did violate some traffic rules, but so did many hundreds other locals, yet the foreigners get stopped and demanded for money.

The first time was in Laos, Vientiane. Vientiane has way too many one-way streets. And the signs are obscure and not well visible, add to that locals who ignore them completely and you'd understand that we were just bound to go in the opposite direction on one-way road. When it happened to us we were both tired and exhausted with heat and sun. The young traffic policemen were hiding behind the tree in the shade and when we turned into what turned out to be a one-way road, they promptly stopped us and told us that basically we have three choices: get our passport confiscated or motorcycle or go and pay fine. I'm sure we could've bought them out, but we were so pissed that I'd rather pay an official fine of $10 than pay these little pricks their money. Probably if I was by myself, I'd end up paying the fine, but thanks to Katy we got away. While I went to the room to get my driver's license, Katy started stopping all other locals who were violating exactly the same traffic rule as we did, yet, the little policemen pricks didn't even try to stop the locals and fine them as they did us. And a few that did stop, just smiled at the policemen and drove off. So, when I came out, we just got on our motorcycle and drove off as well. And what do you think? The little policemen-pricks didn't even try to stop us. Little shiats...

The second time almost the same scenario played out yesterday in Pnompenh. Now, Vientiane had some adherence to the traffic rules, Pnompenh on the other hand has none. Everyone goes wherever they want. U-turn wherever they want, go right and left... All you need to do is to beep. And the larger the vehicle is the more rights you have it seems. Also, so many cars are driving around without plates... I think Robin would flip out if he had to drive here... ha~ So, we were following dozens of locals in the street that turned out to be a one-way. This time it was a big-fat prick, who told us to stop and smartly, I must admit, pulled out our key from the motorcycle. Again, Katy saved our butt... Sometimes she acts so surprisingly decisively, when I take time to think the situation over. And quite a few times it saved us nerves and whatever else. So, basically, seeing other locals just driving away as well. She went over to the big-fat prick and pulled out our key from his hands. (The proud moment ^^). Then she came back and said "drive away", which we did. And again the Big-fat prick didn't say anything.

Anyways, we gotta go to the bus station now. We're leaving Pnompenh and going to Siem Reap today. Wait for the pictures of Angkor Wat...