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Published: January 22nd 2011
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Heat along the road was manageable as the morning began but it became more stifling as the day wore on and the day never seemed to end. It was a day spent completely on the paved roads, we've become so weary and tired of all the dust and its not helped Natalie's breathing, still there were trade offs.
As the day progressed Jeff got slower and the swelling in his ankle was not letting up. Taking anything for the swelling and pain were not a real option during the day because of the risks it poses when you combine the meds and possible dehydration. Stumping along was the day for 'hop'a'long....
Finally as the afternoon approached we reached Neak Lueng and the day was coming to the end. However one thing we've learned (but for some reason continue to experience), is that some people's perception of distance is not what it could be. Not that two or three kilometers one way or another is going to really make a difference but when you factor in that we'd been on the road for several hours already, each time we were told the village is 'just one more kilometer maybe' we'd
FREAK in our heads! It seems that the average Cambodian dog understands 'barang' stress, why else would the number of possible attacks increase well beyond what we'd experienced all day. In the end we had our DPR (dog protective response) team deployed in front and behind us so we could focus on each step moving forward and that's exactly what it took for us to complete the day.....
All done for the day we settled into the family home of one of the wonderful staff at Eureka Villas. By far the best and most enjoyable stay yet! We had visits from the local kids, mothers, aunties, and grand mothers!
Every time we are in a situation where there is no food available, Mombo has taken it upon himself to be our chef. He asks what kind of meat we'd like and then heads off to the market to shop. At first we were not sure how this would all turn out but OMG, can he cook! Tonight was a feast like no other. We had soup, chicken, pork BBQ, and rice. He takes so much pride in it that he would not allow any of the women in
the village help or get involved. Imaging telling your Gramma or Mom, 'no, you can't help cook and I don't care if this is your cook pot!' Brave one he is! He explained that he had become familiar with what we needed to eat and how it had to be prepared. If it was done 'wrong' it could mean the end of our run. We were stunned when we found out how he felt about it and very honored that what we as a team were doing had become important to him as well. Many thanks Mombo!!
So while Mombo was cooking a way, the rest of us did as we do every night, time to play Jenga! The game is wonderful for us because it requires little in the way of explanation and the youngest all the way to the older parents can (and do) play. We had towers higher than we've ever been able to build in the past.
Jenga and dinner done it was time for sleep. We cuddled into our little mats on the bench, covered by the mosquito net and fell asleep to the full moon shining through our window.....
Chickens and
dogs...again! It's early morning and no reason to be surprised but honestly, why do the chickens and dogs have to wake up at 3:30 in the morning? Do they have alarm clocks? Geeeezzze!
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