07.29.08
Okay, so I meant to upload this yesterday- but when I brought my flash drive to copy the word document to the computer I was using, it wouldn’t allow me to open up this version of word. What fun. So anyhow, I thought I’d try and post this. Hrmm… what else happened since I wrote this…. We got our PC bikes, which is actually pretty cool and exciting. We played ‘football’/soccer in the rain this afternoon and then Adrian, Jason and I practiced “The Chestnut Tree” on our respective violin, guitar and my mandolin. I guess it’s a song from the 60s that everyone knows. We practiced it with our Language & Cultural Facilitator’s (local Khmer people) and they sang along. I guess we are performing first thing tomorrow morning at our session. Anyways- it’s time for bed. After tomorrow we won’t be having much access but I’ll write when I can! Okay- back to two days ago:
. . .
So we’ve been here a total of 5 days in country. Wow. Where to even begin!
It’s amazing. It’s HUMID. I can deal with the hot part, but wow – the humidity is what is taking some getting used to. The immediate sweating after you step out of the cool shower. It’s crazyness! I’m glad to already see that Will has taken to the local custom of showering 3 to 4 to even 5 times daily. You almost have to! Your shirt is soaked through with sweat the majority of the time.

Anyhow, we arrived last Wed. around 9:30 in the morning. There was Peace Corps staff at the airport awaiting us, along with many welcome signs held by some of the current volunteers. The first gift we all received was a hand held fan. (A gadget I have become very glad to own!)
It has been good. Busy---they have kept us on the go (I think mostly to get rid of the jet lag) the entire time we’ve been here. Today was our first full day off.

What little I’ve seen of this country is very interesting. I guess it would be interesting to anyone who was new to it. Despite all the trash and litter that is everywhere (the concept of garbage cans to my knowledge doesn’t really exist for the most part) and the poverty there are some really truly amazing views, sites and scenes.

We were on a boat ride the first night headed from the Tonle Sap river to the Mekong, and I sat and looked at the view of the city, from our boat and thought to myself, “yes. We’re definitely in Asia.” It was a good feeling; and an excited feeling… knowing that this is where we’ll be for a while. What an exciting place to explore; and what a BEAUTIFUL place to learn about. From the typical Asian structures, to the ancient Angkorian influences along with the more recent French influences, the architecture is this complex mix of different styles and bold colors all put together. It’s really quite beautiful!

We went to the national museum in Phnom Penh and saw several artifacts and treasures that were found in Angkor Wat (10th-12th centuries). The building itself was beautiful and then to see all of these items of daily use and statues that were either worshipped or decoration that existed in this life thousands of years ago was pretty mind boggling.
The people are beautiful. So many smiles greet you on the street. Countless “Hellooooo’s” from the children.

I think this place is going to be good.

Our training sounds pretty rigorous, but it’s probably a good thing. We’ll be working 6 days a week doing language training and other types of sessions. We’re typically done around 5pm or 6pm (so if you want to call, do so at 7am our time or after 5pm), OR on Sundays. We’ll be at our training site for the next 10 weeks and after that we’ll move to our permanent site. We’ll move in with our training host families next Wednesday. We’re currently in a guest house which is pretty nice (western toilets and running water), electricity (which means we have a fan blowing on us at night in our 84 degree room). But I’m anxiously anticipating what our host family’s place will be like.

Hmm… what else. Mom, you were right, we have rice three times a day including breakfast. (They even have the rice porridge that you made us when we were little!) I’m glad that rice was so much a part of our diet growing up, as I think that’s helping me get accustomed faster than I would have. Although, the French left the Cambodians bread, which is a nice comfort food; I had an omelet with a toasted baguette yesterday morning and French toast this morning for breakfast.

Yesterday we had sessions on basic living such as how to set up your mosquito net, what’s appropriate etiquette for eating meals with families and elders, how to go to the bathroom (yes, squat toilets and rinsing yourself) along with how to bathe bucket shower style and lastly how to do laundry! Will and I did laundry this morning outside. We got water from the big urn and had a soapy bin, and 2 rinse bins and did it all by hand. The clothes aren’t dry and I imagine with the humidity it might take a little while. We need to keep an eye on the clouds so our stuff doesn’t get wet again in the rain.

So yes, this is just the beginning. But if I had to put a forecast on this, I think that it will be amazing. I’ll try to post pictures when I can but I do know that internet access this 1st 10 weeks will be limited.

Anyhow, all for now and I’ll write again when I can. Snail Mail is always welcome!
Peace Corps (PST K2) PO Box 2453, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Over & out with lots of love…

SMB