Appearances in SE Asia, after eight months of travel, are what I've found can be most deceiving. What started out as a good stay became one of worry and annoyance. I came to Siem Reap to volunteer for 2 weeks with a local organization. Earthwalkers was recommended by them, and the hotel gave me a discount for staying so long. So, I thought well that sounds great. And it was. Until I discovered someone had GONE THROUGH MY THINGS to the very bottom of my bag into my tennis shoe and took fifty dollars I had stashed in there. The ironic part of this -- it was the money I had put aside to pay for the hotel at the end of my stay. I quietly spoke with the manager, a woman who had befriended me from the start, hoping to just get my money back and for her to speak to her staff on her own. Of course she was mortified and said she would give me the money back, but then she came to my door with her staff demanding I tell her who did it so she could send them to jail. I refused, I had no idea who had done it nor was it my responsibility to make that call. After that, there was animosity from the staff and the rest of my stay was awkward and uncomfortable.
Now, I know that you shouldn't leave valuable unattended. But this guest house is ran by a family who welcomed me in with open arms and I was highly recommended. I felt safe. The money wasn't out in the open. It was at the bottom of my bag in a shoe. My security was violated and the trust I had for anyone, even the lovely manager, was gone. Please don't stay here. I wouldn't want the same to happen to you.
