I turn a corner off Bar Street towards Psar Chas. Two Khmer children – a boy and a girl - lay in my pursuit. A loud Khymer confab is exchanged as the children run towards me. The boy has obviously won as the girl discontinues her pursuit. One often runs into children at street corners trying to sell you souvenirs – bracelets, postcards, photocopied versions of Lonely Planet, t-shirts etc.
“Mister, you waannt my pooostcard”, he spurts out in a singsong Khmer accent.
"I have many pictures Mister, Angkor, Bayon …………"
"You’re from India Mister ?" [I nod]
"If I tell you capital of India – will you buy my postcards Mister ?"
"Captial of India? – New Delhi" [Impressive]
"Capital of Finland ? – Helsinki" [He’s good]
"I don’t need any postcards,” I tell him
"Buy my postcards and I’ll leave you alone Mister" [Blackmail – good touch]
"Do you have a girlfriend Mister ?"
"No", I reply
“May be you get girlfriend if you buy my postcard” [he smiles]
I briskly remove my wallet.
9 comments:
- Unknown said...
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On behalf of all the people of Helsinki, props to the boy.
- July 18, 2007 9:39 PM
- Exotic Gringo said...
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Hahaha - this made my day! Especially the way you've written it. Keep 'em coming and wish u more adventures in Cambodia!
- July 19, 2007 1:49 AM
- Ashu M said...
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As I said elsewhere - be glad he didn't offer to lead you to a 'girlfriend of the day' after that verbal exchange :)
- July 19, 2007 3:42 AM
- Viewer said...
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the kis sounds adorable and u were equally sweet enough to buy the postcard :)
- July 19, 2007 2:13 PM
- Melody said...
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:) Adorable!
Humour works for you, hope to read some more! - July 23, 2007 1:38 PM
- GuNs said...
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Boy, that sounds like a pretty good salesman to me !
Which postcard did you buy? Please put up a photo.
-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNs - July 23, 2007 7:39 PM
- 123456 said...
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hey..nice 1 ! :-)
- August 01, 2007 10:26 PM
- Malaveeka said...
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:)
- August 04, 2007 12:31 AM
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such an endearing story :D
made my day too - August 17, 2007 11:15 PM
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