Oliver Twist in Phnom Penh
These children work the tourist area selling bracelets. I was taking photos from a distance and when they spotted me they headed over. I was prepared to buy some of their wares but naively thought they would be like the hundreds of other children I have talked to. I couldn't have been more wrong. I told them I'd buy equal amounts of bracelets from each of them and then the jostling ensued. They surrounded me and one boy started yelling saying I hadn't given him any money. I told him I thought I had but I'd give him back the bracelets ('cause I was out of singles and wasn't going to pull out a twenty dollar bill in front of these ruffians).
The little girl of the group pulled me aside and said, "he cheat you - you give him dollah and he cheat you. So now I tell you, so now you buy more from me when you see me next time sista. Pinky swear yes???"
Well it was sort of cute in a weird way and you can see that they made out alright. Guess what everyone is getting upon my return. After I left I felt I had been in Oliver Twist 2013. Little did I know...
Once I managed to get away from them I noticed my well-worn map was missing from my backpack. Which was odd as that has become my "wooby" (aka security blanket) and therefore I keep pretty good track of it. Then, when I got home I was surprised at how much money I had gone through. Too tired, and fighting off a cold, I didn't work hard to calculate my day's spending. Today, someone told me that these kids are sharp pickpockets soooo - while everyone warned me that Cambodia is dangerous I find it very ironic that the only problem I have run into so far is with a band of children.
I can see the difference in their eyes. So sad for them but it shows me what the Cambodia Children's Fund is accomplishing by giving these children an education, hope, and the chance for a better future...
