I sit by the pool with a good book nearby, a ham and cheese crepe in my stomach, and a nice buzz from my cocktail-a Phnom Penh Sling (lots of gin, cointreau, cherry brandy, and passion fruit). Oh, yeah, and MY MOM IS HERE! she arrived on Wednesday night and we have had a wonderful couple of days. Susan and I picked her up with our tuk-tuk driver friend, Dara, and had a few wine coolers called Spy's on the ride back to the flat. Yesterday we hit the Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Pong) and got delicious coffee-iced and with sweet milk. Met up with Susan for fresh fruit smoothies, and got $6, hour-long massages. My school had a New Year party that we went to, including communal soup with all sort of ingredients (odd veggies, bean crackers, meats, rice noodles, egg noodles, and possibly testicles), Angkor beer, and--of course--dancing. Everyone was commenting about how young my mom looked and how she looked like she was my sister...which she loved. We met up with the usual crowd I hang out with at the local bar by my house and my mom was again showered with many compliments in English and Khmer. Today we bought some fabric from the market and went to the tailor to get dresses made. We visited Toul Sleng Museum (S-21) which I have discussed on an earlier blog...it's a school turned into torture/detention camp during 1975-1979 with the terror rule of the Khmer Rouge. An intense morning called for an afternoon at the pool.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Vietnam on a boat along the Mekong River.
Happy Khmer New Year!
And, belatedly, happy Easter!
(you volleyball enthusiasts will be happy to know that I played volleyball in the Mekong river with Susan and some Khmer guys on Easter. Staying true to the tradition of the NorthEast Qualifiers that always took place on Easter and disrupted our family's holiday ham.)
Hi guys! Glad to hear of your escapades. I wish I were there!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear all about Vietnam. Sounds like you entertained your mom well.
ReplyDeleteVal, I don't know if Deb is still w/u but sounds like you've had an awesome experience with her. Its great to read about your adventures! Take care, Rosemarie!
ReplyDeletePride and Prejudice: I've recovered from my 24 hr return trip home and can sum up my trip in these two words.
ReplyDeleteI'm extremely proud of Valerie and her willingness & efforts to make a difference in the lives of Khmer students. After knowing her they'll not only have a better grasp of the English language but a love for American people. She's a great ambassador of good will!
And, I'm 100% prejudiced towards the great USA. The Khmer people are overly kind and warm but the culture and how they live are somewhat unsettling. From random meat sitting out in 100°, open air markets with flies getting their free samples, and trash that piles up on sidewalks without bags or trashcans, to the most insane traffic conditions that Val aptly refers to as "playing frogger". Oh and yes, toilet paper is not routinely used. I thought the travel books were joking.
I had a wonderful time though and am very glad I visited and very grateful to Val for taking good care of me while I was there. We traveled to Vietnam via the Mekong River and toured the Mekong Delta with the floating markets. We were underground in the Cho Chi Tunnels made by the Viet Cong and saw agent orange victims gainfully employed making beautiful lacquered art pieces with paint, mother of pearl, & egg shells. We flew to Siem Reap and watched the sun rise over Angkor Wat. Val exposed me to the Best iced coffee in all of Cambodia, right in the heart of the Russian market. I never thought I'd ever have these experiences so I am extremely thankful and humbled.
This is "the trip" of a lifetime. I'm SO proud of Valerie. I'm glad you made it back home Debbie, nevertheless. I am now living vicariously through Val. I love the postcards and I hope to see more. I only wish I were there as well. I love you ALL!
ReplyDeleteNam Myo ho Renge Kyo
Aunt Linda