encouragement

yesterday I was walking around the border crossing area of Poipet by myself. I was on my way to one of the casinos to meet Mitch and Alyssa for coffee. There were lots of tourists crossing through customs at the time, but I was quite far off from them, as I walked a different direction. Soon two police officers waved me over to them, looking distressed and annoyed. ‘Give me your passport’ one of them said to me, only half in English. In Khmer I told him, “I’m sorry, I don’t have my passport with me.” I wasn’t able to continue before he said, “Why not? Where are you going? Where do you come from?” They fired questions at me, but as they exchanged glances I could see they were less annoyed.
“I don’t have my passport because I live here. I work with an NGO here in Poipet.”
The whole tone of the conversation had changed and they smiled. “Ah! You speak Khmer so much, so well! You work with the NGO. Oh, very good, have a good day, see you later!”

I can’t say this is a typical interaction with the officers at the boarder when I pass through. But yesterday I was so encouraged! They only asked simple questions so I was able to answer them. I had given them the impression I live here, I work here, this is ‘normal’ for me. They didn’t need to know I have only just arrived and I actually know very little…!