Two Weeks Since I Left!

The most notable phenomena about being in Asia for two weeks now (or, technically, two weeks since I left the US) is how quickly I've become spoiled. Take today, for instance...We get a 1.5 hour lunch break from class and as we have learned is the custom with Cambodian food, it might take you that long just to get your order of spring rolls. So, when friends of mine mentioned they were going down to the riverside for lunch (a 15 minute walk) and asked if I was interested, initially it was "sure!" Then they mentioned they were planning to take a tuk tuk to conserve on time and I was compelled to renege on the invitation as I did not feel like spending my 50-75 cent portion of the ride. While Cambodia has its own currency, the Riel, it is widely preferred to use the American dollar and you can actually pay in increments of both. Since there are 4000 Riel to the dollar, if something was $6.50, I could pay 16,000 Riel and $2.50. Except they don't like coins, so, it'd have to be 14,000 Riel and 3 bucks. In any case, I went to lunch alone because that extra fifty cents equals my afternoon can of coke, and, hey, I'm living on savings. After a rather vicious bout with travelers diarrhea over the past few days, my first official day back on the eating wagon has been really ambitious. This evening I got the most delicious chicken quesadilla (overpriced, though worth it, at three dollars) and a equally wonderful red margarita, also three bucks. You should've seen my indecision over whether to go for the margarita. Earlier I had sprung $4.50 for a pizza and a garden salad and $10.50 in a day just seemed atrocious. This from the girl who buys $700 shoes...