Every budget traveler has been torn on whether he will spend an extra dollar/s for inessential things during travel.
Extra costs such as souvenirs, added convenience to the cheapest transportation option, a dinner in a highly recommended local restaurant or whatnot.
In my case, while walking around the temples of Angkor Wat, I decided to pass on a photo opportunity with local girls wearing traditional costume for $1. I was in a very tight budget and I was trying to keep my daily spending to minimum.
At first I thought it would be great to take their photos but I didn’t wanna pay. And then I thought of a condition, that if they would let me wear one of the hats, I’m willing to spend for the photo ops. I asked but they said no because apparently, In order to wear the costume I must be in full makeup. So it was decided.
The next thing I did –which I’m not very proud of– is take this sneaky shot of the girls from an angle few meters away from them. I saw the person managing them glaring at me so I pretended I was taking a photo of the temple, which I doubt have worked.
I ended up feeling guilty, especially when this stolen shot turned out nice. It was my first travel outside the country so you can imagine the fear to end up empty handed on the remaining days of the trip. But looking back, I should’ve spent that $1 extra because it’s worth it.
I still have a lot to learn.
Locale: Siem Reap Country: Cambodia Year: 2013
Snapshot 02 Middle Class Mortal 01
During that time kasi we were so annoyed every time we hear the kids saying “One dollar’. Yeah fair enough.
I think the girls who were saying ‘One dollar’ repeatedly were those who are selling souvenirs at the parking lot where our tuktuk was in. Not sure though, but they’re also the ones who accepts peso payments 🙂