A Day in the Life

So we've gotten some questions from friends and family about what day to day living in Cambodia is like. If I had one word to describe it, it would have to be "entertaining". It seems like every day we are seeing something quirky and new, and it keeps us on our toes. From motos with 6 people on them to every kind of animal you can imagine BBQing on the side of the road (not kidding - frogs, spiders, crickets, catfish, everything), theres always something to see. Well, if there is a typical day, here's whats on the menu:

We get up around 7-7:30, and its already sunny & hot. It never really dips below 85, even in the middle of the night. We usually hop on the internet and get some stuff done before we head off to language school from 9-10. After that, most days we head out to the Shelter where we spend most of the day working in the office or hanging out with the girls. Lots of days we are out running errands for different projects we're working on, so it feels like we're always on the move. By about 2, its up over 100 degrees most days. We get home between 6 and 7 most nights, and its already dark. Sometimes we cook, but most of the time its just too hot! Interestingly enough, Phnom Penh has a ton of great restaurants of every kind imaginable, and at about $3-4 per meal, its usually cheaper than cooking as grocery stores are slightly more expensive than the ones at home. Phnom Penh is a fun city with lots going on, but it can be pretty overwhelming at times to go out and about. You can never walk more than a minute or two before you get hit up to buy something, and sometimes the poverty can be pretty oppressing.

We try to get out and explore the provinces on the weekends. Cambodia is pretty small, but it takes a long time to get anywhere because the roads are small and clogged with all kinds of traffic - cows, motos, tuk-tuks, chickens, trucks, ducks, trailers full of people, the bigger the vehicle, the more right-of-way it has on the road. You never really get going faster than about 35-40mph, even on the "highway". This weekend, we're at Kep, a small seaside town near Cambodia's border with Vietnam. Its beautiful here, and we're excited to try the famous Kep crab for dinner tonight and go snorkeling out by the islands tomorrow.

We love getting to know Cambodian people, and have been so blessed by how friendly and helpful they are. Cambodians have a wonderful sense of humor and are always interested in trying out a little English on us, graciously letting us practice our Khmer, and sharing a smile. Last night, our neighbors invited us over for some Tiger beer and Khmer food - we spent the evening meeting all their family and friends, laughing, and learning about their Khmer New Year traditions. With so many obstacles to overcome, it is such a blessing to see the resourcefulness and positive attitude with which they approach life!