Yesterday I went to a Cambodian village. Even though it only lies 10 minutes outside of town, we entered an entirely different world. Once we got there, we unloaded, learned how they use plastic water bottles in order to build buildings (way cool!) and then road a cart pulled by two water buffalo out to a rice field. Water buffaloes make the cutest sounds, and are actually very shy and timid creatures despite their size! I wish I had recorded it to show you guys. :) They kind of sound like a frog- that's the best analogy I can offer you guys.
After arriving at the rice fields, we promptly took off our shoes and socks, rolled up our pants or shorts and stepped in to the mud! It was cool, refreshing, and I felt like a little kid! I was being given permission to play in the mud!!! I hadn't done anything like that since elementary school when I went on a mud walk with my class and Dad. Anyways, we were handed bundles of rice to be planted in the mud and shown how to do so properly. Of course, me with my lack of a green thumb was terrible at it, but what can I say? I did the best I could, and hope and pray I didn't end up wasting too many of their plants. It was a lot of work, being bent over, grabbing 4 or 5 stalks of rice, and shoving them into the water, muddy ground. We had to keep the rows neat, and all of the foreigners moved very slow compared to the Cambodian farmers nearby. It was a lot of fun though honestly!
Once finished at the field, we walked barefoot through a few fields to a near by hut to wash our feet off. We made our way slowly through the fields and homes, stopping to see some of the people. I finally tried a coconut actually, and it tasted amazing (though I'd never be able to drink an entire one by myself). You wouldn't believe how rich or sweet a coconut is! Finally we stopped for a lunch at some nearby huts. This wasn't your typical lunch though, so be warned! Our guide chopped up garlic, red peppers, lemon grass, fish paste, sugar, and ants. Yes, ants! They were still alive before he started chopping too . . . We ate this combination with sliced cucumber (it actually wasn't half bad)! I only had a little before he wrapped the rest in a banana leaf and placed it over the fire to be cooked beside the souop. Then we made soup with peppers, garlic, water lily, fish, shrimp, and a few other things. I loved the soup! That was really yummy! And water lily tastes really good. :) We enjoyed all of this with rice, sharing with some of the locals. I had some of the local food and then a sandwich as well. Hey, I'll eat ants, but that taste was strong and I can't eat a lot of it!
After our lunch here, we walked around some more, seeing some of the other homes, how people make their living (either by farming and/or selling products to other locals), walking through a Buddhist monastery, and then ending at a local school.
Let me tell you what. These kids were so freakin' cute, I can't even tell you! They were giggling, laughing, smiling, and when we would pull our cameras out to take photos, they would all pose! It was just downright adorable!!! After I took their pictures, I would show them the photos I had taken, and they would all crowd around me. They would point, laugh, giggle, and just love seeing their picture! I wish there was a way I could send it to them, I bet they would love it! We walked around the school and saw a local classroom. The kids were all outside on the soccer field, or playing with paper planes they had made. You could hear their screams of joy and laughs constantly, and it gave me this sense of happiness and joy to be around. I wish Korean children were more like this, but different countries produce different demeanor's within their people. I watched as they would throw a toy back and forth (similar to dodgeball), screaming and laugh while trying to avoid it. Other kids were out on the field just running around and having fun.
After ending the day, one of the other guys on the tour, an Australian, recommend I come see the local artisan workshops, which is where he was heading. Seeing as how I had nothing else planned, I agreed! A local man showed me around, walking me from room to room. They teach the local people how to create beautiful works of art out of silk, wood, and stone. Some of the workers are also deaf, and I found out that their sign language is the same as American sign language! If I knew more then sorry and thank you, I could have talked with some of the workers, despite our different cultures! How cool would that have been?! Once done, I bought a small thing of ice cream and meandered through the local market. There were fruits of all colors and sizes, curries, and rice everywhere! Tourists were mingling with locals, and haggling for the best prices. I didn't buy anything, I just walked around. But it is always so cool seeing the true local areas in my opinion. At one point I had started to walk into the meat section before I realized it, though I quickly turned around! Sadly I had to walk through the fish section though to get to the goods side of the market. I made it through no problem, but man did Morocco's marketplace (which I visited in high school on a trip through Spain) prepare me for all the sights and smells! I really enjoyed it though, and think I got some fun pictures to show you later.
I honestly could see myself coming back time and again to Cambodia. The people are simply wonderful: they're friendly, kind, and just tons of fun to be around. :) I'm going to miss this country when I leave tomorrow, but I'm so happy I got to spend so much time here as well.
Yes Cambodia, I'll return. I don't know when, but I will. Thank you for all the wonderful memories and beautiful experiences here.
Peaceful and genuinely happy,
Rita
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