The Day I Threw A Grenade

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I threw a grenade on one of my last days in Cambodia. It was something I would have never thought of doing, but the person I was travelling with at the time was very keen to do it. Once I got there, it was one of those when-will-I-ever-do-this-again kind of situations (much like when I shot guns in Latvia), so I decided to just go for it! I was extremely nervous before throwing it but it really did provide an adrenaline rush (despite the relatively small explosion). The “little click” I’m referring to at the end occurs at 45 seconds, which is when the safety was released. Note that my training was simply throwing a rock into the pond… and that I insisted on doing it twice (the first was off-camera).

From that day in May until very recently, I wore the pin from the grenade around my neck, a reminder of my days on the road and of the unexpected events that take place when you travel. Whether it be a dish you’ve never tried before, a conversation with a stranger, or throwing a grenade into a small Cambodian pond, I always look forward to those little surprises that travel (and life in general) holds in store… if, of course, you are open to them.

By the way, I would like to point out to my mother that yes, I also wish I would have stood up straighter.