Wrapping it all up

Looks like Vyda might've neglected to turn the flash on for the traditional Cambodian dancing photos. Oh well, that was the only blemish on her otherwise superb photography exhibit. This is how I'd describe Cambodia: the people here compensate extremely well for the challenging living conditions. I've experienced Japanese and Koreans extensively, and had a small taste of Vietnamese during our month in Vietnam leading up to the Cambodia trip (I'll get another month since we're going back there tomorrow). There's something that charmed me about Cambodians. I just really liked them. And I wish Vyda spoke more Cambodian (she's far better at Vietnamese) because she sounds and looks really cute when she's speaking Cambodian, even though I hardly understand anything she's saying. If I'm fortunate enough to make it into the foreign service, Cambodia would be at the top of my wish list! Vyda's too, I believe. That's how much we liked the people here. Hopefully, the good-bye we're bidding to Cambodia tomorrow won't last too long!

Traditional Cambodian Dancing

This was my favorite "touristy" moment, hands down. I liked how the dances told a story, like an opera, except through motion instead of song. My favorite was probably the "monkey dance," where a man with a monkey mask danced like, you guessed it, a monkey (unfortunately Vyda didn't get a picture of the monkey dancer). My first coworker when I started teaching in English in August 2005 advised me that I was a "dancing white monkey," which might explain some of the connection I felt with the dance. Too bad I hadn't seen it before August 2005, some of those moves might've come in handy!

Angkor Wat

I'll let one of the seven wonders of the world speak for itself. Well, almost. I was glad to see it and all--it would've been a shame to come all the way to Cambodia and not--but I wasn't buzzing about my Angkor Wat experience per say. More than the ruins of a once great structure that 'moths corrupted and thieves broke through and plundered'--sorry to go all biblical there but that was one of my thoughts-- I enjoyed how clean the premises were. Thank you UNESCO! It felt like we were in first world conditions for a few hours. Especially in the bathroom. I enjoyed the nature surrounding the temple ruins. And the cool breeze we felt while being carted around in our motorbike powered carriage and passing through roads flanked by groves of trees on both sides.

Can you handle the heat that Cambodia's bringing?

On this day the answer was no for Arielle, and for the rest of us for that matter (although Arielle's answer was a little more conspicuous). I've been dictatorial about our kids drinking water constantly. We've been good business for the bottled water industry here.

Vyda's birthplace

Where it all started for Vyda(not counting her nine months in utero of course)
It was strange feeling, in a good way, to set foot in the hospital where Vyda entered the world 27 years ago. I wondered why her life assignment included the first seven years to be spent in Cambodia. It was just hard to fathom that this city was where Vyda had originated.

Execution Barracks

I figured since I was in Cambodia I should visit some site to do with Polpot. This wasn't the killing fields, but apparently a site where thousands of Cambodians were infamously interrogated, tortured, and ultimately murdered. The really sick thing was that the Polpot regime went to the trouble to photograph each victim shortly before the execution. Seeing all those faces who where the victims of probably the most dastardly type of deed known to mankind was disturbing to say the least. After about fifteen minutes I'd had enough. Humans are capable of far greater things than animals, and at the same time, far worse........................

Caption pending consultation with Vyda

Have to check with Vyda about what this was!

How Cambodians "roll"

Vyda took this picture out of our motorbike pulled carriage (Word on the street is one advantage of motorbike pulled carriages over horse pulled ones is you don't turn into a pumpkin if you stay out past 12:00). It wasn't a bad way to tour the city, as it turned out. And $10 for five hours is hard to beat. I wish Vyda could've gotten a shot that does justice to what rush hour looks like when the street is convoluted with motor bikes, cars, carriages, bicycle powered carts, and even the occasional 'beast of burden,' which included one elephant sighting. Seeing an elephant in person must be what it's like to see Shag in person: blown away by how t.v. doesn't accurately convey the actual hugeness.

Pictures from Cambodia

This is a rough draft posting. I'll give more detailed commentary soon. This picture is easy to explain though. Vyda lived here (on the first floor) from age 0-7. At age 7 she left Cambodia and didn't return until one week ago.