This past week we went on what they call "Kampuchea Adventure" where 2-3 of the PCTs (peace corps trainees)go to visit a K2 volunteer at their site. I went with two girls, Kellee (from Olympia also!) and Lisa, to visit a volunteer named Lauren in Dangtung villiage in Kampot province. It was great to not only get to spend a couple of days with someone who has already gone through what we are experiencing now, but also to see what kinds of things are being done at permanent sites. Lauren is really well integrated in her community, everyone knows her, and she speaks Khmer fluently. She is currently working an a womens leadership project and it was great to see how she has networked to make that happen. I had a few favorite parts of the weekend.
1) We had 3 bikes for 4 people and as the smallest person I got to ride on the back of Lisa's bike side saddle. It was not that strange of a sight for people around here who will often ride two or 3 to a bike...but for us it was hilarious.
2) The used clothing section at local markets. The women here more often than not, when not working, wear what I like to call glorified pajamas. They are crop pants generally with a button down shirt in a matching ridiculous print. I found a pair of said pants with smiling happy French vegetables. And I bought them. I intend to wear them often.
3) We were able to go into Kampot provintial town with our K2 and took a 12 seater van there. BY the time we arrived in Kampot there were 34 people in the van, 28 inside and 6 on top. It was horribly uncomfortable but it was hard not to laugh at the situation is we are being smashed by Cambodian grandmas falling asleep on us.
It was just nice to spend a few days visiting a real site so I could start getting an idea of how life will be and the kinds of projects I might be able to pursue.
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Hi Meghan!
ReplyDeleteYour great sense of humor is truly awesome. Goes to show much that would otherwise be bothersome can be manageable and even amusing given the right mindset. Your journal continues to enlighten and make me smile. Take care and God be with you each and every day.
P.S. Re: "van for 12 fitting 28 plus those on top". When I was in high school, in the dark ages, we once got 10.5 (don't ask) people in a VW bug and drove it around Astoria. There were some on top but they fell off before we made it very far. :)
ReplyDeleteare you bringing presents back in may? i would like to request a pair of glorified pajamas. and if you think you will get away without seeing me, you are horribly mistaken. i will hunt you down.
ReplyDeletewe will send you nailpolish and "supplies".
ReplyDeleteLove: A. Diane & Emily
Haha Thanks for all of your comments! Erika: I wouldn't dream of it. Auntie Diane and Emily: That would be very much appreciated! Anne: I am curious about the people who didn't make it on the top! That is impressive.
ReplyDeleteOh and Ekka...I will be in search of some epic glorified pajamas for you... I also might get some wicked khmer wedding clothes made for my dad and Anne's wedding...so be looking forward to that!
ReplyDeleteMeghan,
ReplyDeleteThe people on top of the vw fell off before much acceleration had taken place because there's not much to hold onto on the top of a vw bug! And there were no mind altering chemicals at work, just testosterone. Well, that IS a mind altering chemical as we all know.(Yes, only the boys attempted the top thing, of course). We girls are way too smart for that kind of stunt.
Wicked khemer clother for the wedding? Yikes, I'm afraid! Very afraid! Will the fabric have various wedding cake drawings on it? Awesome!