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Published: July 16th 2008
I'm becoming Cambodian! Okay, let me slow down and start from the beginning.
The bus did indeed pick us up in front our guesthouse at 7AM. We were on the bus for about 5 hours before we reached the border. We then had to wait for our visas, get approval and then get on another bus. From this bus we took a three hour cab ride on roads that are not really roads, they are, well, just earth. This is where the roller coaster like hand gestures came from. We were so tired and sweating through our clothes, but the sights were enough to keep us from even taking our eyes away from the window for a second. See pictures for details.
We arrived at the Sawasdee Angkor Inn and immediately fell in love with the people. Finally, someone to sit down with and talk and listen and learn from. With our shoes left at the door (custom), we embraced our hosts and vice versa. We ate dinner with our waiter and he asked us to teach him some of our language, so we chose the word "wicked" to begin with. After a long explanation with many examples we
realized he had never heard the word "nice" before and thought we should take it a bit slower. He has been a great way to learn a bit about how Cambodian people live in this area (Seim Reap). He works every day of the year from 6:30AM- 10:30PM and lives in the hotel. He went to school but does not have the money to continue to the university. As strange as this may seem, he is one of the lucky Cambodian people.
Today we woke up at 6AM, ate breakfast and spent all day at Angkor Wat and were speechless through most of it. It rained for the last part of the day, but it felt so good to be cooled off. When is the last time you played in the rain?
We hope to spend time at the orphanage tomorrow, but are unsure if they will accept our help. There are huge problems here with children being used for sex, so they may not allow us to enter.
Thank you all so much for the comments. They are so exciting to read and I wish I could respond to all of them.
~Thai Kho
PS I smell really bad! We had tons of water and never even had to go to the bathroom b/c we sweat it all out. Add on top of that some heavy duty bug lotion, sunblock, and Cambodian rain.
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Nicole (sister)
non-member comment
Another sigh of relief
It is good to hear from you. I've wondered where in the world, literally, you have been and what you are experiencing the last couple days. All is well here. You sound wonderful so that is another sigh of relief for all of us on this side of your vacation. Jaclyn is already calling for Auuunntieeeee so beware! I think I am too!!! We miss and love you, God Bless and be safe.