Let me share a little bit about living in my house. My room is nice, though when I come in from outside I feel that I am entering a cave due to lack of sufficient light. It is nice for when I sleep because it is nice and dark :)plus if I keep my door closed my room stays nice and cool after I turn my Air Con off. Air Con is what they say here for Air Conditioner and I like the shortened version better.
To get to my room I have to go up stairs, which isn’t something new. I grew up in a house with more stairs but there is one small difference…no carpet and the steps are taller/steeper. Thus as I start to bound up the stairs, as I would at my parents, I have visions of my foot slipping and face planting into the concrete. I imagine trying to put my hands out to stop my face, my knee coming down hard and having to limp around for a couple days.
Now take all of that and let me share about the lights in the house. You turn on the switch, nothing, oh wait it flickers on and then back off. Nothing, oh…second time flickering, a bit more on and off like a strobe light…and then success!! The light is now on. Great process when you turn on the light to walk down the stairs...Never mind that I feel I am in a cheap horror film and close my eyes so I don’t feel ill from the strobe light effect. With each step I pray that I don't face plant and fall down the stairs. I think a video is appropriate for this post :)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Teams, Moto's, and T-shirts
I survived the Cholera outbreak of 2010. But maybe I should wait a few more days to say that. The team kept having people sick, start to dehydrate, go to the clinic for fluids and antibiotics, and then someone else would come down with it. Today as I was with the two members of the team who couldn’t fly out (one was sick and the other was taking care of her) we learned that their symptoms are those of Cholera. Don’t worry I have my fingers crossed that I won’t get it Sadly with the team gone this means no more Banana Grams, begging Erica to do her Hip Hop moves, or calling Nia Nina. I had so much fun with these women and am sad they have to leave. I told them that they have set the bar high for the next team that will come.
On a lighter note I found a T-shirt and helmet I should buy (note my sarcasm). These things made me laugh…The T-shirt said “I’m the single Friend” and the helmet had a picture of a person and it says “Don’t kiss me.” Also I got in a small fender bender but thankfully the fender was not bend and no one was hurt. My Moto driver re-ended someone else, which seemed a common occurrence as we did not stop and the girl he hit did not seem too concerned. Mind you he did ask me if I was ok a couple minutes later…I should have asked if the ride was free.
No pictures this time around...not sure what else to post. Any suggestions?
On a lighter note I found a T-shirt and helmet I should buy (note my sarcasm). These things made me laugh…The T-shirt said “I’m the single Friend” and the helmet had a picture of a person and it says “Don’t kiss me.” Also I got in a small fender bender but thankfully the fender was not bend and no one was hurt. My Moto driver re-ended someone else, which seemed a common occurrence as we did not stop and the girl he hit did not seem too concerned. Mind you he did ask me if I was ok a couple minutes later…I should have asked if the ride was free.
No pictures this time around...not sure what else to post. Any suggestions?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Joy
Things that have brought me joy in the last week...
1. Woman sitting on four bags of rice on a Moto...she was the passenger
2. Hearing words in Kymer and understanding them!
3. Sitting and watching The Office with one of my new friends
4. Getting on a Moto and telling him where I needed to go, thinking to myself...I am getting on a Moto with a guy I don't know, this goes against everything my mother taught me!
5. Playing basketball with woman from different countries, laughing while playing and enjoying the fact that these women are serious about this game even if they aren’t that good. (I'm a bit rusty but only one of 3 Americans that are currently playing...but my 3 point shot is still money!)
6. Learning that in every moment that I choose to trust God and let go He is waiting for me to find rest.
7. Learning that all children collect bugs and are fascinated by fireflies.
8. Praise and worship at Bible Study
9. Finding that in the moments I need God the most He is here.
10. Realizing that I feel confident in this new city.
Here are pictures of the market near my house, a view of my street from our balcony, and people setting up for a wedding...tis the season here.
I don't know if I already talked about weddings but here is some information. Weddings here usually last for a couple days and they will set the tent up in the middle of the street, no permit needed. They also do this for funerals. You can tell the difference by the colors on the tent. They also hang silver spray painted banana's at the entrance to the tent. People here also get very dressed up and look so pretty for these parties. They have singing and dancing which sometimes can last for days. Thankfully they tone it down in the city and stop the music at night...even though it starts up again at 6am.
1. Woman sitting on four bags of rice on a Moto...she was the passenger
2. Hearing words in Kymer and understanding them!
3. Sitting and watching The Office with one of my new friends
4. Getting on a Moto and telling him where I needed to go, thinking to myself...I am getting on a Moto with a guy I don't know, this goes against everything my mother taught me!
5. Playing basketball with woman from different countries, laughing while playing and enjoying the fact that these women are serious about this game even if they aren’t that good. (I'm a bit rusty but only one of 3 Americans that are currently playing...but my 3 point shot is still money!)
6. Learning that in every moment that I choose to trust God and let go He is waiting for me to find rest.
7. Learning that all children collect bugs and are fascinated by fireflies.
8. Praise and worship at Bible Study
9. Finding that in the moments I need God the most He is here.
10. Realizing that I feel confident in this new city.
Here are pictures of the market near my house, a view of my street from our balcony, and people setting up for a wedding...tis the season here.
I don't know if I already talked about weddings but here is some information. Weddings here usually last for a couple days and they will set the tent up in the middle of the street, no permit needed. They also do this for funerals. You can tell the difference by the colors on the tent. They also hang silver spray painted banana's at the entrance to the tent. People here also get very dressed up and look so pretty for these parties. They have singing and dancing which sometimes can last for days. Thankfully they tone it down in the city and stop the music at night...even though it starts up again at 6am.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Night Market
Sunday night (Sunday Morning for you)I went to the Night Market here in Phnom Penh. The night market is down by the river front and is exactly what it sounds like, a market at night :) There is a city square which people set up their booths all around the inside. The booths run mostly along the edge of the square and a few rows in. At the center of the square is a stage set up with singing and some comedy/acting which Kunthea (pronounced koon te-a...who is a Cambodian, said was not funny). At the front or start of the market is a big area where food is set up. These booths also run along the outer rim of the square and make up the food court for the market (or P'za in Khmer for market). Here is the parking area and a picture of some of the booths. 
You go to the different food booths and pick which one you want to eat from one of them (they all have about the same food). After selecting what you want ayou go to the eating area for that booth. The eating area is all woven mats on the ground and you take your shoes off to sit on the ground. They bring your food out and a drink lady comes over to see what you want. They have different kinds of juice such as soy and sugar cane. The Sugar cane juice is pretty good and fun to watch them make. They take and crush the whole stalk through a machine a couple of times and as it goes through the juice gets pressed out. I was quite fascinated as I watched :)Here is some of the food and where we sat to eat. 
The food was very good! I am eating some deep fried shrimp. 
Once we finished eating we walked through the market, listened to the music (which the people were lip syncing to) and then headed to an ice cream (ca-reme) place for desert. It was a lot of fun being out in the city and just being with the Cambodia's. Ra and Kunthea explained things to me and Cath (who is from New Zealand)as we had questions. It was a very cool experience. Tons of people were out and as I was told most people are out on the weekend nights down by the river walking around or sitting in small groups chatting. There were even guys going around selling light up toys and other paraphernalia that you would see at a fair in the evenings. Here is a video of some of the singing...
You go to the different food booths and pick which one you want to eat from one of them (they all have about the same food). After selecting what you want ayou go to the eating area for that booth. The eating area is all woven mats on the ground and you take your shoes off to sit on the ground. They bring your food out and a drink lady comes over to see what you want. They have different kinds of juice such as soy and sugar cane. The Sugar cane juice is pretty good and fun to watch them make. They take and crush the whole stalk through a machine a couple of times and as it goes through the juice gets pressed out. I was quite fascinated as I watched :)Here is some of the food and where we sat to eat. 
The food was very good! I am eating some deep fried shrimp. 
Once we finished eating we walked through the market, listened to the music (which the people were lip syncing to) and then headed to an ice cream (ca-reme) place for desert. It was a lot of fun being out in the city and just being with the Cambodia's. Ra and Kunthea explained things to me and Cath (who is from New Zealand)as we had questions. It was a very cool experience. Tons of people were out and as I was told most people are out on the weekend nights down by the river walking around or sitting in small groups chatting. There were even guys going around selling light up toys and other paraphernalia that you would see at a fair in the evenings. Here is a video of some of the singing...Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Learning a new language
What should I be doing right now? I should be writing down my sentences for Ra in Khmer, but I am not. I am pretty sure my brain is going to explode. It seems to be a steady increase in cranial pressure as I sit and feel like the dumbest person. I don’t understand what they are saying…they speak to me only in Khmer. Sure I recognize the words (well some of them). But then after hearing them I need to translate them into English and I have a list of over 50 words and phrases at this point. Then I look at my teacher and see they are waiting for me to respond but I have forgotten everything…there seems to be a small leak in my brain. Which might mean my head won’t explode but I should maybe get the leak checked out.
To make matters worse I feel like all my Spanish keeps sneaking up on me…and I don’t know that much! I want to pronounce things using Spanish inflections and Khmer is not even close! I know that over time it will get better and I remember the phrases I have to use…but at 4 in the afternoon I just can’t seem to wrap my head around this stuff. Two more days at this time and then I think I am going to switch to an earlier time. I am hoping to post more tomorrow about my Night Market experience and other things I have done this week.
To make matters worse I feel like all my Spanish keeps sneaking up on me…and I don’t know that much! I want to pronounce things using Spanish inflections and Khmer is not even close! I know that over time it will get better and I remember the phrases I have to use…but at 4 in the afternoon I just can’t seem to wrap my head around this stuff. Two more days at this time and then I think I am going to switch to an earlier time. I am hoping to post more tomorrow about my Night Market experience and other things I have done this week.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
weekend adventures
The good news is that even though I am missing home I still have been making myself go out and do things. I really want to enjoy my time here. Even with going out I am still taking time to be by myself and last night I even wrote, colored, and typed out my thoughts :)I felt much better getting my thoughts and emotions out! Part of the fun of living in a house with people is having a whole house full of people to do things with. In the morning Ra took me to get my new helmet so I don't have to worry about my head should I fall off a moto. Though with the way people drive around here I might want to wear it when I walk ;)
We decided to go out for pizza last night, all 6 of us. So 3 people offered to drive their moto's and we were off. I should say that as much as I enjoy riding on a Moto, riding at night is a whole different animal. I feared for my life most of the ride, not because of my driver but because of everyone else. I thought maybe if I didn't look it would be better. If I don't see someone coming to hit my legs or arms it will hurt less right? Yet the longer I rode I did have a chance to relax a bit (and when we were at stop lights, which count down how long you have to wait). At the stop lights I felt a rush of excitement as more Moto's would join the group of us (after weaving through the cars and other transportation). To hear the hum of the engine waiting, rumbling, gearing up as the number count down, and the rush of pulling forward with the wave of noise. To be part of a pack of crazy drivers but knowing that in that moment we are all going to move in the same direction and we are going to make it. I decided that is what it feels like to be part of a Motorcycle ride and can see why people enjoy doing it.
Pizza here was good, not like in the states, but good. We had Canadian Bacon and Barbecue Chicken with cheese crust. It is a thinner crust and tastes almost like a croissant in some ways but isn't flaky. No tomato sauce for these pizza's but still very tasty. Today I had breakfast (Banana Pancakes, which made me think of Jack Johnson and they were soooo good) with my supervisor Kristin. After breakfast she was sweet enough to take me to a few stores for things I needed, which ended in the Market where I am having sheets made for my bed. It is crazy to me and also very cool. You go and pick out your fabric and then go to a Taylor and explain what you want. We took a fitted sheet with us so they know how we wanted it made and what size it needed to be. I also got a DVD for 1.50, which is also crazy to me. It is a pirated copy but that is the only kind I can get here. They even sell entire seasons for shows and you still only pay 1.50 per DVD and can sometimes bargain with them on that(Lost, House, Band of Brothers, 30 Rock, you name it they have it). What DVD did I get? Bride Wars :) I was watching my copy of The Princess Diaries 2 yesterday ( you can judge me all you want, the movie is funny and very good. It makes me think of Marion and living with Aletheia) and realized I really like Anne Hathaway and thought it might be a fun movie to watch as I am thinking about home.
After eating some lunch...fresh papaya and mango as a side :) I went to another work out place and think that if I can I would like to get a membership. I ran for 30 mins and then took a dip in the pool before sitting out and reading a book, it was such good medicine for my heart and soul. I felt that I could relax and find comfort even in this new city. The adventure was riding a Tuk-tuk home! I was excited about this because it was my first time and I even used my Khmer words to give directions on how to find my house! I know you are all so proud :) Tonight is dinner at the house and playing games, it really does help to have things to do. Tomorrow I will check out another church and be picking up my new sheets at the market.
We decided to go out for pizza last night, all 6 of us. So 3 people offered to drive their moto's and we were off. I should say that as much as I enjoy riding on a Moto, riding at night is a whole different animal. I feared for my life most of the ride, not because of my driver but because of everyone else. I thought maybe if I didn't look it would be better. If I don't see someone coming to hit my legs or arms it will hurt less right? Yet the longer I rode I did have a chance to relax a bit (and when we were at stop lights, which count down how long you have to wait). At the stop lights I felt a rush of excitement as more Moto's would join the group of us (after weaving through the cars and other transportation). To hear the hum of the engine waiting, rumbling, gearing up as the number count down, and the rush of pulling forward with the wave of noise. To be part of a pack of crazy drivers but knowing that in that moment we are all going to move in the same direction and we are going to make it. I decided that is what it feels like to be part of a Motorcycle ride and can see why people enjoy doing it.
Pizza here was good, not like in the states, but good. We had Canadian Bacon and Barbecue Chicken with cheese crust. It is a thinner crust and tastes almost like a croissant in some ways but isn't flaky. No tomato sauce for these pizza's but still very tasty. Today I had breakfast (Banana Pancakes, which made me think of Jack Johnson and they were soooo good) with my supervisor Kristin. After breakfast she was sweet enough to take me to a few stores for things I needed, which ended in the Market where I am having sheets made for my bed. It is crazy to me and also very cool. You go and pick out your fabric and then go to a Taylor and explain what you want. We took a fitted sheet with us so they know how we wanted it made and what size it needed to be. I also got a DVD for 1.50, which is also crazy to me. It is a pirated copy but that is the only kind I can get here. They even sell entire seasons for shows and you still only pay 1.50 per DVD and can sometimes bargain with them on that(Lost, House, Band of Brothers, 30 Rock, you name it they have it). What DVD did I get? Bride Wars :) I was watching my copy of The Princess Diaries 2 yesterday ( you can judge me all you want, the movie is funny and very good. It makes me think of Marion and living with Aletheia) and realized I really like Anne Hathaway and thought it might be a fun movie to watch as I am thinking about home.
After eating some lunch...fresh papaya and mango as a side :) I went to another work out place and think that if I can I would like to get a membership. I ran for 30 mins and then took a dip in the pool before sitting out and reading a book, it was such good medicine for my heart and soul. I felt that I could relax and find comfort even in this new city. The adventure was riding a Tuk-tuk home! I was excited about this because it was my first time and I even used my Khmer words to give directions on how to find my house! I know you are all so proud :) Tonight is dinner at the house and playing games, it really does help to have things to do. Tomorrow I will check out another church and be picking up my new sheets at the market.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Home
Well I was going to give myself a couple weeks but it hit me pretty hard this morning. I miss home...home being the people I love, the places I am use to going, and the things I could count on. Thankfully I am not seeing this as Cambodia's fault or am upset with anything here. I am just sad. I have cried many tears, some which my parents saw on Skype this morning, and I'm sure more to come. I just keep hoping no one asks how I am doing because that seems to be when the flood gates open. It doesn't help that I have not been getting good sleep as I am still adjusting or that my body has decided to feel sick the last few days (crazy body, all my past traveling and yet it NOW decides to act up). It really does help to know people are praying for me but I just want someone I know to show up and give me a big hug. But I don't think that will be happening today.
So I accept that I am sad. Nothing more and nothing less. If I cry more today I will cry more. I know it will pass but in the mean time I am trying to occupy my time as I am still being shown the ropes and do not yet have any type of responsibilities or much to do. I am doing my language study but that is only about an hour a day plus the time I spend going over it. I am at my office now to start getting in the habit of coming here but who knows...maybe that won't even be everyday :) Which is fine, I just wish I had a bit more of the details at the moment...but maybe that is what I am suppose to be looking at in my life. How comfortable am I with just "being"? Why does my comfort level have to be based on what I am accomplishing or doing? Why is purpose defined by actions? or lack of actions? Well I have plenty of time to think about them...but I should be looking over my language study:)I have a whole new level of respect for people who learn languages...so many high hopes and yet so much vocabulary and grammar to learn!!
So I accept that I am sad. Nothing more and nothing less. If I cry more today I will cry more. I know it will pass but in the mean time I am trying to occupy my time as I am still being shown the ropes and do not yet have any type of responsibilities or much to do. I am doing my language study but that is only about an hour a day plus the time I spend going over it. I am at my office now to start getting in the habit of coming here but who knows...maybe that won't even be everyday :) Which is fine, I just wish I had a bit more of the details at the moment...but maybe that is what I am suppose to be looking at in my life. How comfortable am I with just "being"? Why does my comfort level have to be based on what I am accomplishing or doing? Why is purpose defined by actions? or lack of actions? Well I have plenty of time to think about them...but I should be looking over my language study:)I have a whole new level of respect for people who learn languages...so many high hopes and yet so much vocabulary and grammar to learn!!
Monday, February 01, 2010
My new house
I thought I would take some time to describe my new home. The set up of the house is similar to a townhouse, tall and skinny (three to one building)but deep. All the houses have a fence gate.
Once inside the gate there is a small court yard type place where people park their moto's, bikes, or cars. You take your shoes off as you enter the doors and all the doors and windows have metal bars covering them (which you will see from the pictures). I am trying not to think I am in prison but at times I wish they didn't cover everything. On the first floor is a living room, kitchen table with chairs, a bedroom and the kitchen.
Before the Kitchen are the stairs, narrow and very unforgiving if you miss a step (not that I have but I really hope I never do) Everything is cement, tile, metal, and glass. The furniture is mostly wicker (which I can't say I really enjoy sitting in for long periods of time) but I know I will adjust. This seems to be the land of the Papasan. Here are some pictures of my Bedroom. My room has a large window but it overlooks the first living room and the side window has a nice view of the house next door. I am hoping to get some better lighting to help brighten the place up.
The floor my room is on is called the mezzanine floor and another woman has a room across the stairs from me. On the second floor is the next living room, another bedroom, and an office type area. This is also where we go to hang out laundry outside to dry, and were we sit to use the Internet. In the picture of the living room look at the back right corner...that is where I sit when I am on-line.
The third floor is a copy of my floor with just two bedrooms and then the stairs lead to the roof. Ra showed me how to get up there and he has a chair up there to sit in sometimes. It gives a lovely view of the area and a wonderful breeze :)Our street is kind of noisy because it goes through to a main road and has become much busier, I have been told, in the last few months. I am only 7 blocks from my Office, 2 blocks from the market, and about 5 blocks from my language school. So I walk everywhere (yes alone :) it is safe during the day). But here the size of your mode of transportation is what matters so I have to watch all the time as I walk around. The Cambodians also keep coming up and saying, "tuk tuk?" or "Moto?" They don't walk anywhere and can't imagine that I would want to walk either :) This makes me smile as I walk knowing I seem like an odd duck to them.
Once inside the gate there is a small court yard type place where people park their moto's, bikes, or cars. You take your shoes off as you enter the doors and all the doors and windows have metal bars covering them (which you will see from the pictures). I am trying not to think I am in prison but at times I wish they didn't cover everything. On the first floor is a living room, kitchen table with chairs, a bedroom and the kitchen.
Before the Kitchen are the stairs, narrow and very unforgiving if you miss a step (not that I have but I really hope I never do) Everything is cement, tile, metal, and glass. The furniture is mostly wicker (which I can't say I really enjoy sitting in for long periods of time) but I know I will adjust. This seems to be the land of the Papasan. Here are some pictures of my Bedroom. My room has a large window but it overlooks the first living room and the side window has a nice view of the house next door. I am hoping to get some better lighting to help brighten the place up.
The floor my room is on is called the mezzanine floor and another woman has a room across the stairs from me. On the second floor is the next living room, another bedroom, and an office type area. This is also where we go to hang out laundry outside to dry, and were we sit to use the Internet. In the picture of the living room look at the back right corner...that is where I sit when I am on-line.
The third floor is a copy of my floor with just two bedrooms and then the stairs lead to the roof. Ra showed me how to get up there and he has a chair up there to sit in sometimes. It gives a lovely view of the area and a wonderful breeze :)Our street is kind of noisy because it goes through to a main road and has become much busier, I have been told, in the last few months. I am only 7 blocks from my Office, 2 blocks from the market, and about 5 blocks from my language school. So I walk everywhere (yes alone :) it is safe during the day). But here the size of your mode of transportation is what matters so I have to watch all the time as I walk around. The Cambodians also keep coming up and saying, "tuk tuk?" or "Moto?" They don't walk anywhere and can't imagine that I would want to walk either :) This makes me smile as I walk knowing I seem like an odd duck to them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)