Mikes Writing

Kampot again

Going to Kampot for a longer time. I've reached the point here where I need to get away. My wife kinda understands I guess. It's been since we have moved here, I've felt I need to get away. I was probably doomed really the last visit to Kampot because I had a really good time with the walking, food, coffee, and some beer every so often.

Given that I had to submit my passport to get a new visa, I won't really be able to go until a few weeks from now. If I had not done that, I would be gone. I had this wonderful walk today. Had coffee out. Stopped for some fresh mango at the market. Realized I had to make some changes sitting alongside highway 6. When I talked with my daughter yesterday, she was pretty focused on telling me I should just go. To do something to get away. They won't come here to visit because of the house. Also though there is friction between mother and daughter. So instead of having to deal with arguments and disagreements, my daughter just will not come over.

She really is the only Khmer person I can talk to with no real concern about things leaking out or being told to others.

what does Kampot offer?

Well nothing. There's really nothing there I am wanting besides to use the entire place as an escape valve. A place to shake free from some of the issues I feel around here. I found a nice guesthouse and swimming pool at a reasonable price for a week. It may be I just stay longer.

Because of the last week spent there, I knew I would have to go back. It's the distance from here. Riding the minivan to Phnom Penh first for the night and then going on. Going to just go. Maybe you can see why I would want to go.

kampot scene

The riverwalk is very popular mornings for walking and running. Also for coffee. Every day there I felt this release. Like the house and issues seemed farther away. Less meaningful. Less real even. I could live there for months. From there one can reach Koh Kong island by a new ferry boat route. Or take the train to Sihanoukville and then to the islands. Getting around when I have no place to really end up is my favorite way of going.

There's still places in Kampot I'd like to eat at. Coffee shops that deserve visits. Little pubs and bars not filled with the usual expat scenes.

It's not that Siem Reap is bad. I just figure we don't live there. We live out where you can buy big wooden furniture and get motos and cars fixed. I don't give a damn about any of those things.

It is also fun to just decide to go. To find the little things I would do. Like that same walk. Just when I do it I feel differently or look at a thing and see it again. But not.

Tomorrow is another walk and coffee day here. Friday I get a haircut. I'm sure my coffee time comes next.

coffee morning down some street

This morning things get started and for this blogpost kinda update with a trip down some street to a coffee place I have not yet decided. I've updated my little app devices to their latest 27 releases. The iPhone 13 has a few little thing and the MacBook Air M1 a few others.

I started shopping guesthouses and hotels in Kampot a bit. There's a few I would not choose again and others for what I like doing would be nice. One has a nice looking swimming pool and its only blocks from the river and downtown. I don't have a lot of needs with hotels. Stairs for me are fine. Never really have cared whether there's an elevator or not. I don't mind being "just that far" from the downtown core area.

I have to admit to you all I have thought about just living for a bit in Kampot. There's this time and place shift to it. This different life with a smaller city atmosphere still with nice coffee and food places. Part of it I think is being alone and not feeling responsible for another. I could like to stay there for months. Its really easy here to just make changes like that. The government here really doesn't care what it is I do on a day. Like I've written, being away from the house here would give this break of things. I have felt that need more lately.

So that's the thing this morning. Next up coffee out and a walk. I need both.