Markets and Stores

Today has been quite the day. I was feeling kind of down today, it seems overwhelming to have to start all over with building relationships here. I am optimistic but my little Introvert needed some time to process this. I also realized I want to get started and jump into things and right now I have to wait. So I did my own thing most of the morning and had a chance to chat with one of the people living in my house. His name is Ra and he teaches English and is going to school. It was nice to have a chance to chat a little bit. After lunch Judith was around and she took me to a mall where they have a grocery store.

The choice to go to the store was made after Judith listened to my list and told me what things are cheaper at the market and they usually just go and buy it the same day when they need it (the market is 2 blocks from my house, very easy to walk to). Now, how does one get around in Cambodia? Good question! They have bikes called Moto's, cars, and regular bikes. Judith had a Moto so after donning our helmets we were off. Thanks to my brother-in-law I have ridden a motorcycle so I was familiar with sitting on the back of a bike and not having to hold on. Granted some of the streets were missing sections or had big pot holes, but I'm proud to say I didn't scream and grab onto Judith but simple put my hand up on her shoulder for a moment of security. The street laws are a little bit different here. With the "street rules" as I will call them it is very simple: you go until you can't go anymore...meaning if you are turning left and that means crossing traffic you turn and drive in the wrong lane facing oncoming traffic until you get over. This also means "Michigan Stops" at most every corner, pulling out in front of people to cross a street, etc. This might seem unsafe, and I won't want to drive anything motorized here, but no one is really driving over 30 I would guess. Judith also said you are good to pull out etc. as long as you make eye contact. It is when the person coming at you isn't looking that you need to watch out :)

After the store we had some ice cream, a waffle cone with 2 scoops for .90 cents. We arrived home, which meant me holding onto my two bags of food in front of me, and then headed to our market. I was able to buy fresh Gala Apples!! (kind of expensive but I love them), carrots, potatoes, zucchini, oranges, and some of their native fruit. Oh...and for my brother...the fruit you asked about Dariun I think, yeah I had it last time. You can't even open in the house it smells so bad because it smells like rotten eggs. I tried some and it was the consistency of custard, and not very good.

In the market I was looking for skirts that I can wear here. I didn't think my wool lined skirt or thick denim would make the cut in this heat. I found a dress ($5) two skirts ($10) and a little thin jacket to go over my dress to cover my shoulders ($2.50). The tag on one of my skirts shows retail price of $40. The one skirt had to be shortened (it went past my feet) and the thin jacket was long sleeve and I wanted short sleeves. So for $1.50 I had my skirt and jacket done...and in less then 10 Min's mind you. As we were leaving I heard a Michael Buble song playing and smiled to myself. That guy does get around :)

Tonight will be dinner at another girls place who I met today. Tomorrow is the first day of checking out some of the different churches. But it was good to get out of the house and start getting around to get the things I needed. Oh...at the grocery story it was over $7 for a box of Special K fruit and yogurt cereal, yeah I passed on that one. But I did buy fabric softener in a bag...which also made me smile :)