New Discoveries

1) I recently discovered that I can find Oral B brand toothbrushes in our market. However, they look like perhaps they were donated by some dentist in the US (with a US phone number imprinted on them and everything) but I guess their charities are going twice round, first with the initial donation, secondly by someone smart enough to sell them for profit and make some money off them in our market.


2) If we close our windows to our living room and bedroom during the hot part of the day the temperature DOES stay a bit cooler inside than if we were to keep them open and let the breeze blow through. (The trick of it is that the breeze is usually hotter temperature wise than the actual air inside). Nonetheless, it’s still freakin hot.

3) My new favorite treat is the almost ripe mangoes. The locals dip them in a mixture of sugar, salt, and hot chili peppers all minced up and mixed together. I admit it took a while for me to take to liking, but now I seem to crave the treat. It’s this odd mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spice all into one. My tongue and taste buds hardly know what to do with themselves. It’s like a carnival and rollercoaster in your mouth. I know- it sounds like a bit much; but the combination of each is just perfect and it makes your mouth water with each bite.


4) So prior to picking up my folks at the Siem Reap airport, Will and I had a chance to roam. Most of it was closed down for the night, as their plane didn’t arrive till mid-night. But as we strolled around the complex I came across the all too familiar big red sign with the large white letters of “D” and “Q” in the middle. Yep- that’s right, there’s a Dairy Queen at the Siem Reap airport. We had NO idea! I believe it is the only one in country. I don’t think you know how ecstatic I was to see that they had blizzards and sundaes on their menu. I of course was highly disappointed that it was closed at that particular hour. I think they were too – as they could’ve probably made a decent amount of money off me. Nevertheless, I’m pretty sure…actually quite positive that they’ll see my pocket book at one time or another.


5) I just discovered something else 2 days ago at the snack stands behind the school. REALLY delicious won-tons. Wrapped freshly in front of your eyes, deep fried over a hot fire, put on a plate drizzled with sweet and sour sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves and thinly sliced cucumber. You can get 3 for 500roy (about 12.5 cents). PERFECT 10 o’clock snack.


6) Our host sister that lives in Phnom Penh, is visiting for this week that’s a holiday. She brought some squid that she fried up with fresh black pepper that is still on the vine. It was delicious!! I guess you can only get black pepper on the vine in PP or Siem Reap; or of course down south in Kampot, which is very famous for it.