Flower post! I am in awe of the many beautiful flowers and the variety of colours that I have seen in Cambodia. I can’t stop taking pictures of them.
I still need to get a photo that does justice to the beautiful lotus flowers. So more to come 🙂
Category: Cambodia
Udong Temple, 500 steps to 5000 Buddhas
Today, May 27 was a tourist day for me. My fellow accountant volunteer Stephanie and I took a tuktuk to Udong Mountain outside of Phnom Penh. It is a collection of temples and stupas around the small town of Udong. The highlight is at the top of 507 steps. The beautiful white building above is the first thing you see, and the most amazing 360° view. The older buildings date back hundreds of years.
We also stopped at a couple of other temples, where I found this amazing cobra stair rail. I have many more pictures which I may add after going through them.
My Cambodia Family
This is the family that I am renting my rooms from in Phnom Penh. Vanny and his wife Seyha were both children during the Pol Pot Regime in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. Vanny is very open about his experiences as a child, and his life in some ways tragically mirrors what happened in his country.
Vanny was born in 1969 near the Cambodia/Vietnam border. At that time, the US was bombing this region of Cambodia to target Veit Cong soldiers who may be hiding in Cambodia. Of course, bombs do not discriminate so the local villagers were also bombed. Vanny was actually born under a Buddhist temple as his mother and family hid from the bombs. Somehow, he and his family survived this and later fled to Phnom Penh.
That might have seemed a safe move at the time, but it means that they were in Phnom Penh when it fell on April 17 1975. So a young Vanny and his family were fleeing again, this time back to his home village. The village did not receive them as returning neighbours though. Instead they were seen as city dwelling refugees, outcast and looked down upon.
Vanny does not dwell on these difficulties, but instead presents them as stories of survival and a history to remember. For example, his mother sewed extra pockets hidden into his clothes so he could hide away bits of food. If they had been caught it would have been very bad, but somehow Vanny and most of his family survived. I know that 7 of the 9 children are still alive today (Vanny is one of the youngest), but I am not certain if either of his deceased sisters perished during the regime or at some other time.
He tells of how rice is sacred to his generation and older ones, and even one grain was picked up if dropped on the ground. I feel a small bit of shame each time I am too full to finish the rice they serve me.
Seyha does not speak English so I do not know much of her story. Only that she is from northern Cambodia and lived much of her childhood in refugee camps on the Thai border. I have read an account of these camps from a Canadian nurse who worked in them for 6 months in 1980 and I know this was a very hard childhood. Her education opportunities were limited, but I assure you, she is an astute business woman. I am watching as her coffee and food cart business is growing. She is good!
They are working to provide greater opportunities for their two daughters. The older just finished a level of schooling #1 in English and Cambodian. They are very proud. The younger daughter is also doing well. She is less shy than her sister, and she showed me my first fidget spinner which she bought at the little shop at school.
I am very happy that I chose to pay my rent to this lovely Cambodian family instead of a hotel – not just because I am saving money.
Koh Rong, Sok San Resort
I missed posting this week due to some abdominal issues. Some things I prefer not to over share – haha
It is a long weekend in Cambodia, so with 4 days off I took a trip. I am at the lovely Sok San Resort on Koh Rong Island. Here are a few shots. One from last night and the rest from 6am this morning (now to me)
I am in love with the beauty and simplicity of this island, a true paradise! I originally planned to leave tomorrow to allow me a day back in PP. Pretty sure that today I will be adding a night and heading back Tuesday. I can be tired – it is just a 3 day work week…
The trip between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville was very long for me. I was in the slowest, oldest, most crowded minivan. I will go home by air conditioned bus or at least in a van younger than my daughter (24)
It is possible Sok San Resort may inspire a second post. Perhaps with more details and pictures of my epic? journey here 😊
a lazy Saturday
May 6, 2017. It is my first regular Saturday as a resident of Phnom Penh (last Saturday I arrived jetlagged to the extreme) I slept in, went for an enjoyable “American” breakfast (no rice) and then headed over to the Russian Market. The market was, well, hot and overwhelming, but I am a trooper so I still found some clothes to buy myself 😊
Now I am hanging at home. Did some laundry and reading.
I thought I would share some of the differences between Cambodia and Canada.
1. This contraption is how I charge my phone
2. Toilet paper doesn’t have a roll. Except for the plastic I think this works better than home. TP and kleenex are the same!
3. My washing machine. So glad I have it
4. My dryer. Nothing more is needed
5. My shower. I turn the hot on just before I shower and it is perfect. And yes, that’s the toilet. Nobody can bat an eye if you pee in this shower – hahaha!
Food glorious food
May 5 – Here we have a few of my meals so far. I am definitely enjoying my culinary options.
Top left is an AMAZING red curry made by my hostess Seyha. Served with jasmine rice because Vanny and Seyha prefer it (its what I get at home too)
Top right is a street lunch for under $1US. This bbq pork was delicious. I had walked by a few times and the smell drew me in
Bottom left is Khmer beef with egg and rice. From the Restore One Cafe near my room. This cafe employs local people and proceeds go to their work educating poor children. And yes, delish!! That is in house made ginger beer as well 🙂
Finally, my protein Buddha bowl from Lot 369. Healthy and tasty.
I will likely beceating supper at my hosts, at least during the week. I can’t beat the $2 price tag or Seyha’s delicious cuisine.
Happy Friday from Phnom Penh
My new digs
I have started my volunteer assignment at this amazing organization! Hopefully two months, assuming they need me that long.
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut, STT is an organization dedicated to helping the poor of PP with land security, helping them to help themselves prevent unfair eviction, mapping communities at risk and advocating for this demographic. It is not without risk, as is any advocacy that goes against the interests of making money. The staff is dedicated, friendly and has been very accepting.
Nuances that are different from home – leaving my shoes outside, being very aware of power use – it is very expensive. I need to remember to turn of the air conditioning when I leave the office.
I headed out for lunch a short while ago and one of the ladies on staff stopped and offered me a moto ride. My first of the trip. She is a very competent driver and I made it back safe and sound with the most amazing bbq pork and rice. I hope the smell doesn’t bother my office mates when they return. The lunch room is not air conditioned but I think I will sit there next time.
The blessings of this adventure continue!
May 3 2017
Early wanderings in Phnom Pehn
Some other pictures from May 1st:
Flora I found interesting, some peppers and fish set out to dry on the quiet street (why not harness the heat), fruit I bought on my walk home and my supper – khmer beef with egg and rice – mmmmm
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT)
Today, May 1st, is a national holiday. I set out in the morning to walk to my place of work for the next 2 months. I felt quite accomplished when I made it there and took this photo.
The walk took me about 40 minutes each way. I had to double back in the way there as I went right instead of left once.
I won’t lie, it isn’t a long walk but it is necessary to be alert to traffic as pedestrians, bikes, motos and vehicles share the road. I didn’t feel it was beyond me. I run across any streets I have to cross while locals still saunter (when possible I cross with them because why not) Tomorrow I will walk slower though. I was soaked through when I got back.
I spent much of the day reviewing organizational documents in preparation for tomorrow.
Choeung Ek Genocide Center – Monument to the Killing Fields
Today, April 30, I visited the Choeung Ek Genocide Center, a place all who visit PP should try to see. I didn’t take pictures of the bones or the killing tree as they are easily found online. Instead I am sharing these photos of beautiful flowers that grow there in stark contrast to the brutality of the late 70s.
I think it shows great courage and integrity for a nation to own this horrific past with to goal of respecting those who perished – and those who survived – and remembering is the best way to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
Somehow I only shed tears at the killing tree, while hearing how so many infants were murdered, and at one of the displays of human bones. A recently uncovered jawbone with all the front teeth missing was sitting on top of the box. Teeth probably knocked out by Khmer Rouge soldiers sometime before being murdered. I could not forget that this happened during my happy Canadian childhood.
This center doesn’t soften what happened. And it should not.
A Travelling Accountant 