08.17.08

081708

So it took us a little less time doing laundry today – so that was nice (only 2 hrs. instead of 3), albeit we didn’t have to wash our sheets this time; those are especially difficult by hand.
Sopeap (host mom) asked us jokingly if we wanted to race her in doing laundry. She does the whole family’s laundry while Will and I each have our own bin to do both of our laundry. We kindly turned her down. She finished all of hers in half the time that we were able to do ours. Ha. Good stuff.

Hrmm… what else to mention….
Oh- gosh- there was a funeral going on yesterday. (well it continued on into today, and will again tomorrow). In Buddhist custom the funeral rituals last 3 days. Part of it consists of really loud Cambodian instrumental music being blasted from the loud speakers at the Wat. I’m talking really loud. Our language lesson was really close to where the music was playing, and it was VERY difficult to concentrate, and not develop a headache. We ended up moving our afternoon session to one of the volunteers’ houses. Much better choice. I guess they play the loud music, so everyone in the community knows of the death; also I believe people then can make offerings if they want to. I guess it makes sense, as there’s no local newspaper and no local news. But seriously, is it necessary to be that loud? We live down the block and can still hear it loud and clear. Oh- and I didn’t mention that it lasts all day long… quits at night- but then starts at 4AM in the morning. Today was the first day that we busted out our ear plugs. We now know why we ended up throwing them in the shopping cart when we were checking things off the packing list back in the states. One wonders what they did prior to loudspeakers and electricity. Hmmm.
Other than that not TOooo much. J It was plain and simply a really busy week. Tomorrow we head back to the hub site to see the rest of the volunteers and more sessions. We’ll all crowd the internet café at break with only 8-spots available and take turns.

AND we will celebrate our 1-Year anniversary! Can hardly believe it has been a year. Truly went very fast…. It’ll be fun to celebrate with the rest of the volunteers. Our host mom gave us an anniversary gift. She gave Will a nice notebook and me a really comfortable pair of pants and shirt to wear around the house. Sopeap had this really light weight looking clothing, and I kept telling her how much I liked it. Lo- and behold she finds a reason to give on to me. Anyhow--- I love them – (they’re tie-died magenta) but everyone rocks the bright colors here; so I fit in pretty well.

Well this is all for the moment. I think I’m going to take a nap on the hammock. There’s only so much you can do at 2:51 in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day.
Until next time,

Stephanie b.