The Black Van of Phnom Penh"

So, there I was, right in the middle of nowhere, in a country I’d barely known. I mean, I’d read about Cambodia in this off-beat travel blog that my best friend had recommended, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING, had prepared me for what was about to happen.

So, let me back up a bit. It was my gap year. The year I’d decided to backpack across the world, taste the wild and feel the wind in my hair, y’know all that poetic stuff. So, I land in Phnom Penh, the capital city, and I’m chilling, trying to get a feel of the place. I mean, I’d been warned about scams and pickpockets, but I figured as long as I stayed cautious, I’d be okay, right? WRONG.

On my third day, I decide to rent a bike and explore the city on my own. Bad idea. So, I’m riding along and everything’s pretty chill until I feel like I’m being followed. I look back and there’s this big black van following me. I’m like, okay, maybe I’m being paranoid but then the van suddenly speeds up and comes to a screeching halt right in front of me. A couple of burly guys come out and start yelling at me in Khmer, the local language. My heart was pounding like a jackhammer and my brain was screaming, "RUN, YOU IDIOT!"

But, guess what? I did the exact opposite. Yep, I actually went towards them. Smart, right? I figured maybe they were just trying to ask for directions or something. Yeah, I was that naïve. So, they start yelling again and one of them grabs my backpack.

Now, this was no ordinary backpack. It was my life. It had my passport, money, contacts, basically my whole existence in it. So, naturally, I lose my sh*t. I start yelling and flailing my arms around like a mad woman. This obviously attracts the attention of some locals who start gathering around us.

Next thing I know, a policewoman shows up. She speaks some English and explains to me that these guys were part of a local gang who stole from tourists. She got my bag back and gave me a stern lecture about being more careful. I must’ve thanked her a million times and went back to my hostel feeling like the biggest moron on planet earth.

The weird part is, after all the f*ckery, I ended up falling in love with Cambodia. It's a beautiful place with some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. That policewoman especially, she saved my ass and I’ll forever be grateful.

So, moral of the story? Be careful when you’re travelling alone in a foreign country. And if you’re a clueless tourist like I was, please for the love of God, stay away from random black vans.

" " "