I really can’t believe I am in Cambodia right now. It really is crazy, and I love it. But before I go into how much I love Cambodia, I really want to tell my Booty Butt that I love him so so so much and I wish so badly that he was here sharing this amazing life changing experience with me. I feel like I will forever look at the world differently after this trip and hope to convey this experience as much as possible through my blogging.
So, I arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital last night (Saturday night at around 10:30pm) Room to Read hired a driver to pick me up from the small airport so even through my flight was delayed and I haven’t had any communication the global office in a few weeks, I was just hoping someone would be their with a sign displaying my name. I was in luck. The San Antonio sign was present, and off I went into someone’s car and off to the Phnom Penh Hotel, a very upscale hotel to Cambodia standards and even to US standards. My roommate, Stephanie was waiting for me in the lobby so after dropping my stuff off at the room, we went down to the lounge and got to know each other better. I couldn’t have been paired up with a better person. Stephanie has traveled all over Southeast Asia and was in Cambodia 8 years ago. It was nice to be with someone who has been here before and can help guide me through it!
This morning we woke up early and decided to do the Lonely Planet’s walking tour of Phnom Penh. We took a tuk tuk (a taxi-like vehicle that entails a motor scooter pulling a carriage) to the starting point, Wat Phonm. From there we walked through the streets of downtown Phnom Penh to the central market, through the French colonial district, by the national library, by all of the embassies, etc. We saw a cycling race just end and awards being given to the first, second and third place finishers. We saw whole families of 5 squish onto 1 motorscooter and ride off into the traffic of Phnom Penh. We walked through the central market and saw local fish and fruit being sold to local people. We also saw monks in their orange robes walking around town or hitching a ride on the back of the
motorscooters. There were elephant rides in the parks, and children asking us if they could shine our shoes (I was wearing flip flops btw), and mothers breastfeeding their babies in front of us asking for spare change. I felt like in the 5 hours we explored the city, we got a good taste of the flavor of the Phnom Penh. And I am so glad we got to see if on our feet and in the mix.
May is the beginning of monsoon season in Cambodia. So in addition to the temperature being high 80’s and about 200% humidity (worse than Florida or any place I have been for that matter), it also has crazy rain and thunderstorms in the early and late afternoons. They are usually actually refreshing since the weather is so hot. And trust me when I say that it is impossible to look cute here. I tried. There really just isn’t any point. It is so hot and you just soak through your clothes that you constantly feel dirty and sticky. RAW. I love it. And, now I know I can sleep in a few minutes longer in the mornings. Booty, you know that makes me happy. Just one more snooze!
The people of Cambodia are extremely beautiful, especially the children. I haven’t seen cuter children anywhere in the world, including the US. Much of this country is corrupt and crime is high, but when walking around the city in daylight, I see the beauty of the country beyond the undeniable poverty. It is a place that is trying to get back on its feet after many years of civil war and deterioration of its political trustworthiness and success. It is a country who needs help to build back up their education system so that children have the ability to know or grow to know their fullest potential, to move forward in life, and make a mark somewhere in the world. We stopped half way through our walk when we ran across a tea lounge that serves refreshments. I ordered a banana milkshake and Steph (my roomie) order coconut juice. And off we continued on our walking journey. Streets are chaotic around here although everyone drives fairly slow. I think its just different that no one follows the line going down the middle of the street. I was getting very hot so I bought a hat in a cute little French artict who has a store/booth in the foreigner section of the city.
Okay, I am exhausted..more later... I am falling asleep and it's an early morning tomorrow!
So, I arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital last night (Saturday night at around 10:30pm) Room to Read hired a driver to pick me up from the small airport so even through my flight was delayed and I haven’t had any communication the global office in a few weeks, I was just hoping someone would be their with a sign displaying my name. I was in luck. The San Antonio sign was present, and off I went into someone’s car and off to the Phnom Penh Hotel, a very upscale hotel to Cambodia standards and even to US standards. My roommate, Stephanie was waiting for me in the lobby so after dropping my stuff off at the room, we went down to the lounge and got to know each other better. I couldn’t have been paired up with a better person. Stephanie has traveled all over Southeast Asia and was in Cambodia 8 years ago. It was nice to be with someone who has been here before and can help guide me through it!
This morning we woke up early and decided to do the Lonely Planet’s walking tour of Phnom Penh. We took a tuk tuk (a taxi-like vehicle that entails a motor scooter pulling a carriage) to the starting point, Wat Phonm. From there we walked through the streets of downtown Phnom Penh to the central market, through the French colonial district, by the national library, by all of the embassies, etc. We saw a cycling race just end and awards being given to the first, second and third place finishers. We saw whole families of 5 squish onto 1 motorscooter and ride off into the traffic of Phnom Penh. We walked through the central market and saw local fish and fruit being sold to local people. We also saw monks in their orange robes walking around town or hitching a ride on the back of the
motorscooters. There were elephant rides in the parks, and children asking us if they could shine our shoes (I was wearing flip flops btw), and mothers breastfeeding their babies in front of us asking for spare change. I felt like in the 5 hours we explored the city, we got a good taste of the flavor of the Phnom Penh. And I am so glad we got to see if on our feet and in the mix.May is the beginning of monsoon season in Cambodia. So in addition to the temperature being high 80’s and about 200% humidity (worse than Florida or any place I have been for that matter), it also has crazy rain and thunderstorms in the early and late afternoons. They are usually actually refreshing since the weather is so hot. And trust me when I say that it is impossible to look cute here. I tried. There really just isn’t any point. It is so hot and you just soak through your clothes that you constantly feel dirty and sticky. RAW. I love it. And, now I know I can sleep in a few minutes longer in the mornings. Booty, you know that makes me happy. Just one more snooze!
The people of Cambodia are extremely beautiful, especially the children. I haven’t seen cuter children anywhere in the world, including the US. Much of this country is corrupt and crime is high, but when walking around the city in daylight, I see the beauty of the country beyond the undeniable poverty. It is a place that is trying to get back on its feet after many years of civil war and deterioration of its political trustworthiness and success. It is a country who needs help to build back up their education system so that children have the ability to know or grow to know their fullest potential, to move forward in life, and make a mark somewhere in the world. We stopped half way through our walk when we ran across a tea lounge that serves refreshments. I ordered a banana milkshake and Steph (my roomie) order coconut juice. And off we continued on our walking journey. Streets are chaotic around here although everyone drives fairly slow. I think its just different that no one follows the line going down the middle of the street. I was getting very hot so I bought a hat in a cute little French artict who has a store/booth in the foreigner section of the city.
Okay, I am exhausted..more later... I am falling asleep and it's an early morning tomorrow!
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