A girl looks out of the window of the bus that took me from Phnom Penh to Kep on the Cambodian coast. She was in the seat behind me and as I watched the beautiful Cambodian countryside pass by I caught sight of her reflection as she aimlessly gazed out of the window.

Of course, I have no idea what she was thinking, but my imagination wove tales of love and leaving, endings and beginnings. She didn’t look all that happy to me, but then who really looks out of a window of a bus smiling to themselves?

Now that I think about it, though, I suppose I was smiling to myself. After all, this bus ride took us through some beautiful parts of rural Cambodia. For me every turn, every village, every rice paddy, and every stop was never before seen uncharted territory. I waved at strangers who smiled and waved back as our paths momentarily crossed. It felt good to be on the road again.