The journey from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is doable by bus, but is 6+ hours depending on delays at the border. We are required to have pre-approved visas before boarding the bus, and for the first time I had to hand over my passport to the driver. I guess they like a bit of collateral so they know you’re not trying to be shady.

After hours on the bus we stop to “exit” Cambodia. The entire group unloads and waits in line for a border guard to essentially check us out of the country. Following our check-out, we wait in a sort of no-man’s land—a zone between the two countries with not much more than a parking lot and a small restaurant. Looking over my shoulder during lunch, I notice a young white guy about the same age as Luke and me. He makes eye contact a few times and eventually approaches our table. A bit nervously, he explains his name is Jake and he’s traveling with a girl named Becca. They are from the US and unfortunately don’t have any more cash until they get to our destination in Vietnam and can use the ATM. Luke and I look at each other a bit puzzled, wondering what the catch will be, but somehow conclude that this guy is probably genuine and offer him the money. It turns out that the two of them are also from Seattle! What are the chances? Enlightened by our new friendship, we get back on the bus to cross the into the Vietnam border.

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