Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Kep, Cambodia


We went to Kep on June 10 to stay and visit the surrounding areas for 3 days. On the first day we got there around lunch time so we went down to the crab market for our first lunch. That lunch we all had crab for lunch with Kampot pepper. To me the crab wasn’t worth it because it took to much work to get the meat out. So I never had crab again. Then we went to the pool at the hotel to swim for the rest of the day.

For supper that night we went down back to the crab market. For supper we went to a tapa place for supper, but only Acacia ordered the tapas. For supper Janaya, Mom, and Dad had mee cha (fried noodles) with seafood and I had a whole fish (I literally mean the whole fish, eyes included) with veggies for supper.

The next day we took a early boat down to Rabbit Island after breakfast for the day. Rabbit Island is so called the best beach in Cambodia (which isn’t really much). The stay there was to be a relaxful and peaceful time to rest. There Acacia and I got snorkels to snorkel and Janaya got a innertube. For lunch Acacia had a pancake (Crepe) with banana and chocolate while the rest of us got seafood again.

The next day we were going to go to the caves outside of Kampot and for lunch to the “The Rusty Keyhole.” The “Rusty Keyhole” in most western food reviews is said to have the best ribs in Cambodia. The caves weren’t the best and were covered with the smell of incense and Buddhist shrines so they didn’t turn out as expected. So we left for Kampot. When we got to the river in Kampot where it was supposed to be, we found out that the restaurant had moved farther out of the city. So we went on and found it open and had lunch there. The rest of the day we swam at the pool. - Austin

Favorite things in Cambodia

What I will miss about Cambodia:

Tropical fruit
Riding in a tuk-tuk
Riding on a moto
Sugar cane
Cheap food

Austin

What I will miss about Cambodia:

My most recent pet, a kitten
Nice people
Tropical fruits
Tuk-tuks and motos

Acacia

Monday, June 21, 2010

Weekend in Prey Veng


Two weekends ago we went out to the province to see friends in the town of Prey Veng. I like going to Prey Veng because it is very quiet there, except for the dogs that bark at night. Our friends have two cats and a dog. I liked the dog the most because I’ve never had a dog. My friends are lucky because they have a yard to play in.

When we were there, they borrowed bikes from friends so we could all bike together. One night we went out to monkey island, where we saw five monkeys, and a duck farm.One morning we got up early and biked a very pretty road that had trees on both sides. We biked to the riverside, which is not filled with water right now, because rainy season has only just begun. During rainy season, all the people that live on the river have to move up to the sidewalk along the road.

One night other MCC workers joined us for a wiener roast. We also had some fireworks to set off. On Sunday we made pizza, and I helped Ruth cook. I would have liked to live in the province except I do not think I would have had as many friends.

by Acacia

Friday, June 18, 2010

What I will miss about Cambodia?


What I will miss about Cambodia?

Big smiles of the Cambodian people

The group of tuk-tuk drivers that greet me every morning as I bike past “their corner”

9 Hours of sleep every night

Cucumbers all year long that taste like they are from your own garden

Mangosteens – my favorite tropical fruit

Meeting and talking with people from all over the world

Family home together most every evening

Unexpected holidays when the administration cancels classes for odd reasons

Sunny blue skies every morning

Geckos on the walls

My Cambodian students

Lunch on the roof at MCC with new friends

Bicycle repair a half block from my house (Ron will really miss that...)

Afternoon downpours during rainy season


Okay - and a few things I will not miss...

Looking like I wet my pants every day

Traffic in Phnom Penh

Rewriting your syllabus every time the administration cancels classes

Trash everywhere

Mice in the house

Not being able to find the simplest of supplies in the chemistry department


Roseann