GEEZ!! Lol...I'm sorry to laugh but your writing is so good I can hear you telling this story out loud. I'm sorry your feeling so crappy and out of whack. I can't believe your in Cambodia! How cool is that...I'm still stuck in crappy Ohio...ugh. Well, keep writing, you seem to be very good at that. -Cat
I wish if I lived there Wow I have never seen anything like this in my life!! this picture truly depicts a place which is spiritual and mystical! I love how the tree branches have wrapped themselves around the temple and how the roots flow down, It is very beautiful!
Your New Family Wow, what a cool story. They must have really liked you to include you in such an affair. Good pics too! And hey, glad you're back. Looking forward to more of the story.
Yay! You're back! I am so glad that you are back up and running (or blogging) again. I have missed following your exploits. Can't wait til you post again. And what a wonderful opportunity to experience the Khmer culture through a village wedding!
Sadly, though, it really doesn't have much to do with the sex industry. Prostitution is far, far, far more rampant here than ANYTHING in the United States. Porn comes from all countries, even Asian ones. The real culprit really is our trashy media, portraying women as these crass materialistic sex-addicts. People just assume it's culturally OK to ask me this stuff. I should probably get angrier at people like this guard, in defense of sisterhood and womenhood.
Hilarious!...-ly sad! Wow. What a creepy weirdo. Pretty scary, when you really think about it, huh? Yeah, movies (especially pornos) and TV shows certainly do not help the image of American women, but I bet the huge industry of porn magazines (and websites), massive number of strip clubs, and countless prostitutes are mainly to blame as well. Now you know why everyone stares at you all the time and what they are probably thinking. YUCK! I'm so sorry. This world. SO insane. Pray for their souls!! :)
The Joke's on The Guard I thank Sex in the City sarcastically, because I'm quite certain that wonderful shows such as that one are the reason random Cambodian security guards think they can ask me that as a Western woman.
To top it off, this guy wasn't even good-looking. For God's sake.
You are such a tease! I was certain you were going to say you got some. I occasionally have Chinese women say something similar, but then they want 1500 rmb. And I thought they were interested in me. Damn...
Ilook forward to hearing about the SNOW.
Thanks StewMarg--I'm just grateful that I was not suffering from Malaria or Dengue Fever, both of which are quite prevalent in this country. As a resident, I sort of accept these illnesses as an eventuality. At least with this, I was functional for most of the two weeks I was sick.
Well, I hope you enjoy Angkor Wat; I've never actually been there. I'm glad your coming to visit my favorite country. All the best.
Glad you are better! Sorry you were so sick, but glad you are feeling well now. I had a great get-together holiday party with family and friends and a wonderful Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family (and Dan and his kids) and went up to Toledo with Dan to see his pals on Christmas Day. Can't complain about a thing. Well, Christi, Dan's ex, sent us some mean text messages on Christmas Day but I just let it roll off my back, pitying her, knowing she is just wallowing in her self-pity and misery and trying to start drama. There was nothing we could do about the stuff she was whining about...except pray for her...so that's what we did. Can't wait to hear about the wedding. Hope it was worth all the pain you ended up having to endure as a result! Also, did you get my package yet? I was hoping you'd get it before Christmas and it sounds like you really need it, so I'll pray it gets there soon!
Love, danna
What a relief! Sooo glad you found another job and so quickly! Way to go! I'm also glad you finally get to teach adults and at least get clear directions on what to do. Too bad it isn't close to your apt, but nothing's perfect, right? I'll be praying you don't get harmed on your treks to work. When do you start? Do they have stores that sell bugspray? There are natural ways to deter bugs. Just look it up online. Try "ant repellent" or "grasshopper deterrent". I'm sure you'll find something. Until then, be looking for your package in the mail! It's yellow with polka dots!
"I chose to celebrate by eating at Titanic with an online friend."
This "online friend", while clearly located in another country (but still feeling somewhat peckish), remained uninvited. :(
Want your address! Congrats on the new place. I'll pray the Climate Change poster wasn't another sign ignored! I have some black flip-flops your size I'd love to ship you! Plus, you never know, I may want to come and break in someday, too. (Pregnant women have been known to take desperate measures before, you know.) So, email me your address...and then lock your doors! :)
Be safe! Yanzi,
I'm so sorry to hear about what happened, an unbeliveble tragedy. It was good of you to let your family and friends know right way that you are OK. As soon as I heard about it, I thought of you. I hope the rest of your time there is safe and happy.
Just so you know, I'm now back in China. In fact, I might be here in Beijing for 8 months next year. I never imagined this. But hey, given my new situation, I'm going with the flow right now.
Three things:
I teach English in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
I trained here, then taught in China for six months before returning.
I'M SO GLAD I LEFT CHINA.
ADVENTURE!!... full info
AlDu
Allan
I could add 37 more in just a few minutes -
But One will do for now. The shoving/pushing/incivility of Beijing people in public was the topper for me.