Should I have been more impressed by Angkor Wat? Probably!
Well, Rich (the australian I met in Phnom Penh) and I made our way EARLY (445 am) to get our tickets and the 'best' location to watch the sunrise. Like everyother major structure in the world when I visit, its under repair. That said, it impaired the picture and didn't make for such a grand pic. Bummer. Well, we didn't end up waiting for the sun to rise before we went inside. Its huge, and would've been amazing to see in its time... moats, water, tress, etc! It started getting more crowded once the sun was up and we headed out to Bayon. That one was cool! I knew I'd enjoy it just from seeing all the pics. I tried to take a bunch of awesome and fun pics but none turned out the way I had visioned... and again, I didn't get that perfect shot! Oh well, the faces were great! Then it was on to the Tomb Raider temple! That temple is completely falling apart and has been taken over by the jungle! It was pretty neat... but a lot of it is being retrofitted for safetly reasons, i would assume, and thus not accesible. Oh well, it was cool. Wel, at this point it was only 1030 so we headed into town to the market to get a cheap .50 fruit smoothie! They are totally addicting.
By chance I noticed the one bus company went to Battambang in the afternoon and that we wouldn't have to wait til the next morning so we packed and caught the afternoon bus. Battambang is pretty much like every other nonhuge city I've ever been to. Lots of little shops. I found a place with steamed corn at the market and for under $1 I had to things of corn and some rice for dinner... what a bargain!!
The next morning we headed out to three different temple sites. One was modern temples on a big hill. Another was ruins on a hill with a cool cave as the reward for scrambling down the back side (ok, we could've walked down the steps and then around the hill... but what fun is that!). The last was a modern temple in front of ruins. We also saw rice paper (that are used to make spring rolls) being made... thats quite the time consuming process!! Next we went on the bamboo train. Its this old train that locals use to get around (it goes in a straight line for about 7-10 kms). The rule of thumb is... which ever '"car" has the least amount of people, stuff (or no motos, etc) has to get off the track and disssemble their car. Its pretty cool.. and I got to drive it. It sounds like they are overhauling the trains in Cambodia to do international routes and this lovely piece of local life will die in the next year. As obviously a tiny bamboo one car train can't compete with huge trains! Google it...sorry i'm not in a descriptive mood currently!
The next morning we went to an even smaller town. We saw a floating village... its crazy. Everything floats.... schools, shops, industrial bits, houses, etc. The water does not look nice and they swim in it, bath in it, drink it, wash dishes in it and I'm assuming go to the toilet in it. Imagine that.
The next morning was Easter... and I celebrated by waiting for the bus for 3 1/2 hours... then sitting on a bus for 2 1/2 hours... walking around Phnom Penh for 1 1/2 hours cuz we were cheap and looking for the cheapest Guest house. But I did get Mexican twice! I'm pretty sick of rice.. and really my only other option is curry... and that involves rice!! I went back to my favorite coffee spot... where the guy remembered me. I only went three times... and that was over 2 weeks ago! It was great, I enjoyed 2 coffees, reading and talking to him on and off for awhile.
Today is about taking care of business. Printing CVs and Cover letters, getting passport photos (and to attach to the CV), applying for the Laos Visa, scan/emailing tax forms for NZ, etc, etc. This afternoon I'm off to different language schools. I can't decide: travel (as many schools are closed this week and for Khmer New Year next week) or stay and look for job??
Ok, well, sorry I'm not writing anything too exciting... but eh, its hot and I've got no energy! Oh, I slept MISERABLY last night. Part of being cheap is having a fan and not an AC and its is SOOOO hot in our room. UGH. Hopefully I'll crash tonight and sleep through the heat!
Showing posts with label Siem Reap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Siem Reap. Show all posts
Monday, April 05, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Western Day
Tuesday 23 March
I slept in today after spending so many hours yesterday running around looking at places. It sounds really strange, but I’m REALLY overwhelmed in my decision. Its not that hard, right? Especially when so many places need help! Well, in reality one has to take into account so many little things… that I never realized!
Well, after enjoying my lie in, having moved to a much quieter dorm part that allowed me some sleep, I found an indoors coffee shop with wifi. My $1 coffee bought me 2 hours on the internet and I could’ve stayed for longer but had to go and meet some people. I met with some young guys (maybe 18-25… its so hard to tell here!) that organize a village homestay. It sounds pretty cool but really seems like a way for them to get a bit of money, donations, and just outside influx. Great and totally needed but I think I want something a bit more structured where I know what I can give, besides an obvious financial donation, is making a difference. I did think that going out during the Khmer new year and spending it in the Countryside in a village would be awesome though and told them I’d be in contact.
I had a meeting at 4 to meet with someone from a flyer I’d seen around town. He was late but eventually got here. Hey, he did ride an hour just to talk to me for a few minutes!! His English isn’t so great but what he offers sounds amazing. He’s a director of a school about 30 kms outside the city. (The other one I liked was about 14 kms… that I’d have to bike to every day!)) I could live at the school and only pay $4 a day for food and a place to sleep. (Which in itself is probably raising them money.) Not exactly sure if its my own room or if I am sharing with the other volunteer there...but that’s not important. It sounds like classes are 7-9, 11-12, 1-3, 5-7… not sure if its split up for ages or what. But I’ll be teaching English, hanging out with the kids (aged 5 to adults) and just chilling. The school is run on a generator so it sounds exactly like what I wanted….a chance to really experience the Khmer culture and way of life. (from what he said other volunteers have stayed for 1 week to 8 months.) I believe school is 6 days a week and that I’ll be able to get a ride into town on Sundays.
Sooo…after starting to feel like maybe I was being too picky…I’m jumping in! I am being picked up at 10 on Thursday and will probably start teaching as soon as I get there (strange, eh!). I’m going to buy a weeks worth a breakfast foods to take, a book or two and dive in to unknown! (I’m thinking I’ll buy one big book as well. Then, if I need more I can get more when I’m in town on Sunday not having to take my big bag on the back of a moto!) I’m excited!!!
Oh, I named this blog ‘Western Day’ because I’m eating out every meal today. I had a coffee ($1), 2 eggs for lunch (.50), chips and salsa (1.50), a tostada (2), and a drink (2)… all in the effort to get free internet. I don’t feel guilty as I’ve had a bowl of white rice for dinner three nights running (.50)! I know its living ‘lavishly’ but I figure its allowed every now and then!!
Tomorrow I’m setting out to get my shorts taken in. I bought them in Nov/Dec and they will barely stay up now.. and I mean even with my belt in the smallest hole I can almost pull them down!! Its exciting to know I’ve lost so much weight but annoying cuz I should’ve bought new shorts before leaving Aus but I’d read you could get stuff dirt cheap here. Well, you can if you’re a man or a female that wants gypsy/hobo style clothes. That style doesn’t suit my personality, style or turn out the least bit flattering on me! Even though I’m not a fan.. I think I’ll cave and buy some. I know I’m going to buy a couple shirts as mine are again too big and I need something to cover my shoulders. Really, I could just use a trip to Gap for some of my tanktops, and old navy for a pair or shorts, and then to top it off REI for a pair of travel pant (with the zip off shorts)! I suppose I’ll make do without though!
Well, I wrote this blog during dinner. Not sure WHAT they used in their Mexican food… but it had gluten in it! Its killing me and straight away I can notice it turning my stomach and making me bloated and will probably go straight through me. Oh, I love this gluten intolerance. Every now and then I can tell I get traces of it... and I can tell within minutes, usually! Yay for living healthy!!
Oh, I realize my blog doens't match. Its been 2 years since i played with the backgrounds... and now I can't remember how! oops! I'll figure it out tomorrow! I'm over it today!
I slept in today after spending so many hours yesterday running around looking at places. It sounds really strange, but I’m REALLY overwhelmed in my decision. Its not that hard, right? Especially when so many places need help! Well, in reality one has to take into account so many little things… that I never realized!
Well, after enjoying my lie in, having moved to a much quieter dorm part that allowed me some sleep, I found an indoors coffee shop with wifi. My $1 coffee bought me 2 hours on the internet and I could’ve stayed for longer but had to go and meet some people. I met with some young guys (maybe 18-25… its so hard to tell here!) that organize a village homestay. It sounds pretty cool but really seems like a way for them to get a bit of money, donations, and just outside influx. Great and totally needed but I think I want something a bit more structured where I know what I can give, besides an obvious financial donation, is making a difference. I did think that going out during the Khmer new year and spending it in the Countryside in a village would be awesome though and told them I’d be in contact.
I had a meeting at 4 to meet with someone from a flyer I’d seen around town. He was late but eventually got here. Hey, he did ride an hour just to talk to me for a few minutes!! His English isn’t so great but what he offers sounds amazing. He’s a director of a school about 30 kms outside the city. (The other one I liked was about 14 kms… that I’d have to bike to every day!)) I could live at the school and only pay $4 a day for food and a place to sleep. (Which in itself is probably raising them money.) Not exactly sure if its my own room or if I am sharing with the other volunteer there...but that’s not important. It sounds like classes are 7-9, 11-12, 1-3, 5-7… not sure if its split up for ages or what. But I’ll be teaching English, hanging out with the kids (aged 5 to adults) and just chilling. The school is run on a generator so it sounds exactly like what I wanted….a chance to really experience the Khmer culture and way of life. (from what he said other volunteers have stayed for 1 week to 8 months.) I believe school is 6 days a week and that I’ll be able to get a ride into town on Sundays.
Sooo…after starting to feel like maybe I was being too picky…I’m jumping in! I am being picked up at 10 on Thursday and will probably start teaching as soon as I get there (strange, eh!). I’m going to buy a weeks worth a breakfast foods to take, a book or two and dive in to unknown! (I’m thinking I’ll buy one big book as well. Then, if I need more I can get more when I’m in town on Sunday not having to take my big bag on the back of a moto!) I’m excited!!!
Oh, I named this blog ‘Western Day’ because I’m eating out every meal today. I had a coffee ($1), 2 eggs for lunch (.50), chips and salsa (1.50), a tostada (2), and a drink (2)… all in the effort to get free internet. I don’t feel guilty as I’ve had a bowl of white rice for dinner three nights running (.50)! I know its living ‘lavishly’ but I figure its allowed every now and then!!
Tomorrow I’m setting out to get my shorts taken in. I bought them in Nov/Dec and they will barely stay up now.. and I mean even with my belt in the smallest hole I can almost pull them down!! Its exciting to know I’ve lost so much weight but annoying cuz I should’ve bought new shorts before leaving Aus but I’d read you could get stuff dirt cheap here. Well, you can if you’re a man or a female that wants gypsy/hobo style clothes. That style doesn’t suit my personality, style or turn out the least bit flattering on me! Even though I’m not a fan.. I think I’ll cave and buy some. I know I’m going to buy a couple shirts as mine are again too big and I need something to cover my shoulders. Really, I could just use a trip to Gap for some of my tanktops, and old navy for a pair or shorts, and then to top it off REI for a pair of travel pant (with the zip off shorts)! I suppose I’ll make do without though!
Well, I wrote this blog during dinner. Not sure WHAT they used in their Mexican food… but it had gluten in it! Its killing me and straight away I can notice it turning my stomach and making me bloated and will probably go straight through me. Oh, I love this gluten intolerance. Every now and then I can tell I get traces of it... and I can tell within minutes, usually! Yay for living healthy!!
Oh, I realize my blog doens't match. Its been 2 years since i played with the backgrounds... and now I can't remember how! oops! I'll figure it out tomorrow! I'm over it today!
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