Smiling and/or Furry Faces

We have been on the Tonle Sap Lake for seven days. It has been a whirlwind. There were times when our speedy arrival seemed unlikely.

We returned to California, from our Texas/Tennessee tour, and set about finalizing all of our plans. Needless to say, there was more to do than time to do it! Without the help of Jing Jing, Mike and Darlene, Kathy, Monica, Toni, and a host of other friends, we might still be in Oak Park. Oak Park is not a bad place to be – just not where we are supposed to be.

After checking in at the airport, we tearfully bid Reggie goodbye for about 20+ hours. Jing Jing, Leah, and April came and told us goodbye. It was sad to tell them bye, but I am excited because I know they are going to be doing great things!

The flight from LAX to Seoul, on Korean Air, was uneventful. Long, but uneventful. Well, and a bit warm. Evidently, Koreans are more cold-natured than Debbie. We had a two-hour layover in Seoul, so we decided a nice, quiet time in the Korean Air Lounge would do the trick, to prepare us for the next leg of our flight. It was cool, quiet, and relaxing. Just what we ordered!

As we approached our gate, Debbie heard us being paged. Of course, I told her, that wasn’t my name they were calling! It was. The nice gate-girl came and asked if I was Paul. Irritated that Debbie has been right, I told her, “Yes.” Gate-girl told us there was a problem with Reggie. He was fine, but he couldn’t go with us on the plane to Siem Reap. I was not happy, and evidently it was visible. Gate-girl quickly excused herself. Gate-girl returned with a supervisor-like man in a tie. Tie-guy explained that the 737 going to Siem Reap did not have a pressurized or heated hold for Reggie. He asked if we could travel without him. I asked if there would be a different aircraft the next day. Tie-guy told me that the 737 was the only aircraft making that particular flight. So, it seemed to me that splitting us up was of no use.

I tactfully explained to tie-guy that I had everything cleared with Korean Airlines, back in June. Also, there was no mention of a problem when they took my money, at LAX! Tie-guy asked if we had a friend in Seoul. I told him this was no vacation, but we were moving to Cambodia. We couldn’t just leave him with someone in Seoul. He said he understood, and excused himself.

He asked if Reggie was easily controlled. I lied and said, “YES!” Suit-guy mumbled and shuffled, then said that Reggie would be flying in Business Class. AND, we would be joining him. When we boarded the aircraft, Reggie was waiting for us in his kennel, in the first window seat. We settled in, on the same row. The flight was wonderful. I raised my feet, leaned back, and slept (with my blankey), soundly. I love my furry-face friend!

Once we arrived in Siem Reap, we collected our bags – all of them arrived this time! Next, we made our way to Customs. Before we made our way through the basic Customs stop, Full-uniform Officer came from his office and asked Debbie for Reggie’s papers. I knew this would only take a moment because we had exactly what the Embassy of Cambodia website required. Silly me.

Full-uniform Officer spoke little English, or so he let on. Translation was being done by a nice Korean Airlines ground-crew member. He told us that we needed paperwork from a Cambodian veterinarian stating that Reggie “had good healing.” I assured him that was the point of the international travel form issued by the U.S.-approved vet. He would only cock his head and smirk. I told him there had been no mention of a Cambodian form. He would only cock his head and smirk. I asked how we were supposed to get him checked out by a Cambodian vet before we arrived. He would only cock his head and smirk. I had already seen where this was going. I felt confident a little “greasing of the palm” would be necessary. I was going to just offer money. If he came right out and asked for it, I might consider – only because I was tired. I asked him if there was a fee to be paid (knowing he could not admit to a fee; plus, I was going to ask for a receipt – something I had learned from Mr. Bill). Yes, I was just being difficult. I believe passive-aggressive is the term.

Finally, Full-uniform Officer asked if I had a friend waiting for me, outside. I said that I did. He smiled. When I told him my friend was American, Full-uniform Officer frowned. Debbie left to go out and get Bill McDonough. Everyone stood in the office/doorway and looked at the two of us. Full-uniform Officer and I sat there, smirking with our heads cocked. Two can play that game.

As soon as Bill came in, one of the Customs officers smiled even more broadly than he already was. I noticed the man as we walked up, and thought to myself how pleasant he seemed. As he smiled, he called Bill’s name, shook his hand, and began talking with him. It turned out Customs Friend drove a tuk-tuk in Phnom Penh, when Bill and Marie Claire first came to Cambodia. They had used him extensively, and became friends. Customs Friend held onto Bill’s hand and spoke to everyone, in Khmer. I assume he explained they were in the presence of greatness. That had to be it! As soon as Customs Friend finished talking, Full-uniform Officer smirked, folded my U.S. vet form, handed it to me, and pointed me to the door.

We had officially arrived in Cambodia, with all bags and boxes. And, with Reggie, too.

You never know where you are going to get a little help. It could be in the form of a smiling OR furry face. I guess angels come in all shapes and sizes.