Relaxing Sunday in Cambodia

Breathe some fresh air, right across the river from Phnom Penh!  

Just ten minutes on the ferry (from NagaWorld).

Rent a bike, grab some water, and prepare to hear a thousand and one smiling children call HELLOOOO.

Phnom Penh Riverside

It's a nice afternoon in Phnom Penh. Sisowath Quay is blocked off so it is quiet and peaceful.  

Food exhibit at the riverside!  Enjoy some tasty treats!!!

May all beings be well, happy and peaceful

Found this short piece filed away.  Wrote it soon after arriving in Phnom Penh...
Love when the memories are jogged and you get a taste of what it was like in the beginning!  When sights and sounds could actually be shocking...

Don’t miss Wat Langka during your stay in Cambodia.  This is an excellent opportunity to see a beautiful temple, to get a glimpse of Buddhism, and to experience the serenity and stillness that results from meditation. Wat Langka is very accessible - right at the corner of Sihanouk and Street 51. It is one of the original wats in Phnom Penh not destroyed during the Khmer Rouge era.  

I went and experienced meditation myself on Saturday.   Having grown up in a Western country in a workaholic family this does not come naturally for me, but oh how amazing it was. I cannot wait to return. If you are a beginner, don’t worry!  The small instructional booklet provided was an incredible help.   I understood what meditation was, but I had never actually practiced it.  This assistance for beginners is perfect and very useful.  So I got my mat and my cushion, sat in my half lotus and attempted to focus on every breath.  

And then…Thoughts…Itch on my foot…Thoughts…Having to swallow…Thoughts …Itch on my neck…Thoughts…Strange twitch in my right arm…Thoughts…Biting my cheek…Thoughts…So thirsty…Thoughts

It’s like every fiber of your being is rebelling against this one thing that you want to do --- Focus on your breath.  I mean how hard can that be? It sounds so simple. I inevitably continued to find myself either biting my cheek, having an extreme need to swallow, or getting itches or twitches.  It is so strange how acutely aware you become of these sensations in your body (or thoughts in your head). Things I would never have taken notice of before.  But I followed my instructions and as soon as I found myself doing one of these things I focused entirely on it, it went away, and I returned to focusing on my breathing.

The itch went away, the need to scratch it disappeared.  The need for water also disappeared.  Eventually I could focus on just the breathing… and then WOW. My hands got so heavy, my whole body actually.  I felt completely separate from my body, like I was just looking down on it.  I had to open my eyes a couple times to make sure I was still on my mat in the temple!  It was a peculiar and yet extraordinary experience. 

I have so much to learn and cannot wait to go back.  We focus so much on feeding our bodies and being physically fit and often forget to keep our minds fit.

“May all beings be well, happy and peaceful.” 

- Buddhist Loving-kindness prayer

Phsar Thmey

Phsar Thmey, known as Central Market, is a unique and beautiful structure.  Directly translated from Khmer Phsar Thmey means "new market" but it is locally known as Central Market.

why can't there just be a middle ground?

There is a distinct line when it comes to the issue of trafficking.   It seems you are on one side or the other.  People vehemently defend their chosen side.  Why does this issue have to be so controversial? 

While it is difficult to argue the existence of trafficking, there are still some who would fight even the use of the term.  While many of the statistics surrounding the issue are questionable and thrown around carelessly, it is happening at some level on all continents (um except Antarctica).  It is something that should not be ignored.  Labor trafficking does not seem to arouse quite the amount of passion as “sex trafficking.”  Recently it seems it is sex trafficking that has so much attention and that is what I have been thinking about. 

What I question is not it’s existence. 

What I question is the focus of people’s passion. 

I know I have swung back and forth across ‘the line.’   

But why does it have to be so BLACK & WHITE, CUT & DRIED.  

Why does it seem like I have to choose to be either a Bible thumping missionary or an advocate for legalized prostitution? 

Why do I have to choose between praying for women or paying them for services?

Where is the happy medium?  I have met and respect people on both sides of the (invisible) line.  I just wish some of us could live in the middle without being judged by both. 

Every day I learn something new.  Next year my thoughts on this issue may have made a 180” turn.  I don’t know.  What I know is that I am neither a missionary nor a supporter of paying for sex.  But I’m not an expert.  It is up to you to have your opinion, your beliefs, please let me have mine too.  We have all had different experiences and have a right to our own opinion. 

Let me be free.  Let me revel in the knowledge that there are many, many experts out there doing an amazing job.  There are painstaking research tactics being conducted as I type.  I will continue to read, learn and study.   I will learn from them.  I will continue to meet the actual citizens of this place we all like to “label” and form opinions of.  Continue to learn about their own journeys and challenges.  My own opinions will evolve.  Just like these issues continually evolve. 

But don’t believe that everyone thinks like you.  Don’t even believe that everyone SHOULD think like you.

Why can’t we have meaningful conversations without overheating?  Without excess opinion but with relevant and trustworthy facts. 

Ya, ya I know it’s a “hot topic” and the latest celebrity trend.  I know it’s a sore subject for many.  But we can’t be judging and offending and criticizing the true advocates.  The ones who were there before it was trendy. 

You know what…

I can give out condoms while wishing, hoping and yes praying for the best. 

I can meditate and receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk without “going to hell”. 

I can care for and befriend the girls at the bars, the men at the bars, the ladyboys, pretty much anyone and that is ok too.

I’m not a missionary.  And I am not here to “save” anyone.  Haha as if.  

And I’m not an advocate for the sex industry.  I know it’s always been around.  I know it’s a part of culture and it isn’t my place to change someone else’s culture.

Just trying to figure out how to be in the middle.

How to let people know that not everyone is coming with one or the other.

Money and an agenda or a bible and an agenda.  

A visit to the doctor...

How ironic is it that so many of us from ‘developed’ countries consider ourselves to be more advanced, intelligent, or progressive than those citizens of ‘primitive’ societies.  Maybe we are the ones that are backwards…

Latest story to share…

I have been having some issues and needed to see a doctor but kept putting it off. 

Who likes to go to the doctor anyway…?  Not me, especially after spending thousands of dollars (and yes I had insurance) of my savings on endless tests  in the States in 2010 that really proved nothing.  But maybe I should not hold this against all medical practitioners everywhere.  At least that is what I realized yesterday.

On Thursday I went to see a doctor here in Phnom Penh.  The clinic employs a mixture of both foreign and Khmer doctors.    I walked in and immediately felt the ‘atmosphere’ of Cambodia everywhere, there was a small waiting room with a mix of Cambodians and foreigners.  I walked up to the desk and said I have an appointment with Dr. Galina.  The receptionist said ok follow me and we walked right into the doctors office.  I filled out my paperwork - one half of an 8X11 piece of paper.  I gave my name, birthdate, nationality, address, phone number, and insurance provider.

She then asked me a few questions, figured out what she needed to know and told me what to do next.  She said, tomorrow morning I want you to go (with a full bladder) to Aurora Clinic and ask for an abdominal echography.  So I did it, was a little worried about the cost but I figured hey, it’s a  Khmer clinic, I will figure it out.   Walked into the clinic, no appointment, told the receptionist what I needed, waited about 3 minutes and then followed her into a room.

In the room, I immediately laid on the bed and a doctor asked me how I was feeling, why I was there, and so on.  She took the photographs and showed me each one.  She talked to me the entire time and was very friendly, hiding nothing.  She said everything looks great, please wait for the results.  I waited about four minutes and then was given a nice folder with each of the pictures printed inside (great quality by the way), a detailed description of every organ, and the bill… here is the catch.  

$15

Total

For everything.

It wasn’t dirty.

It didn’t waste an entire morning or afternoon.

It wasn’t primitive.

I didn’t have to wait an hour in the waiting room and then an hour in the room to talk to the doctor and then another hour in the room waiting for the technician.

I didn’t have to fill out 10 pages of paperwork.

The doctor is the one that did everything  Oh and she actually had time J

Best of all – I didn’t have to write a check for a grand.

Went back to the doctor at Naga Clinic (without an appointment might I add), she looked at the results.  Gave me a diagnosis, a prescription and I paid a total of $30.  To see a doctor, TWICE.   Oh and by the way, the pharmacy is IN the clinic so there is no going to a pharmacy and waiting for them to fill the prescription. 

Just thought it would be a fun thing to share.

Especially because I and almost everyone in my family has recently experienced the American medical system in all of it’s FULL and splendid GLORY!!!

And for me it’s that system that is backwards.  Not this one.

Maybe living with parasites in your system is 'normal.'

Maybe taking the time to greet and smile at almost everyone you pass is 'normal.'

Maybe seeing cows roasting on spits all over the city is 'normal.'

I don't really have a 'normal' anymore.

Visiting Villages South of Phnom Penh

Yesterday Mar and I went with a small organization that has been working here for about seven years.  They are very small, but making a difference!  Southwest of Phnom Penh there are some small villages (dirty huts on the side of a muddy road) of displaced people that are living on government land (squatters technically). They can be kicked off at anytime if the road gets expanded (paved) or if anything develops in these areas. Currently these villages are surrounded by rice paddies, but the villagers do not work at the rice paddies. Or anywhere. There is no place for them to work and they have no bicycles or motos or any way to get somewhere else for work.  It's just an impossible situation.  I'm sure you know that there are no 'government handouts' here.  There are really no options for these people, there is nowhere for them to go.

THE RESULT:   No food, no medical care, no sanitation or clean drinking water, no education (thats right, not even kindergarten).   These people are just getting along, day by day, living off of the rice that this organization is bringing them every week.  Recently one of the women had twin babies and was unable to breastfeed them (because she was malnourished) so the organization brought formula for the babies but it was too late for one of them.  There are many, many stories and many perfect faces that go with the stories.  Just letting you know to keep them in your thoughts and in your hearts.

I know that these stories are endless, but Mar and I both know that we want to do everything we can to help, even if it is just one person.  Please be in prayer with us that we will each know the best way to support and help these precious people.

Every Sunday the organization rents a mini bus and goes to these villages bringing them rice and food and sometimes doctors who help with problems and people to play with the children and teach them. The organization has hired a Khmer teacher so they can at least begin to get a basic education. I am not sure where he lives but I think he is teaching the children (all ages) Monday through Friday.  There is not a school, but obviously that isn't what matters :)   At this point they just need the basics!

P.S. Some pics (the lighting wasn't that great so didn't get many photos) on Onelifephotos on facebook.

A day in the life of a normal girl, trying to be anything but normal.

"Hate ends not with more hate but with love.

And from that we take hope. 

Without love and hope our lives would be empty.

Happiness is something we cannot keep, unless we give it away."

quote from a Khmer mother after her life had been uprooted, her loved ones murdered, and her country torn apart by her very own people.

Whew, back to the day...

The day where I get to meet and BE influenced by these incredibly strong, capable, beautiful, and kind people. These people who have had so much taken away and have responded with smiles through their tears. All I pray is that I learn from them and that in some small way I am able to help carry just a tiny piece of this massive, unfathomable burden that they have had for so many years. This will be the ultimate blessing to me, me who was born with EVERYTHING. If you are reading this, thank you for being in my life.

• Most people around here take 3 showers a day… the high temp right now is 88 or 89 I think, but with 100% humidity it is said to feel like high 90’s.  Either way, feels hot to me!  And I love three cool showers in a day!
• Still on the job hunt!  I have three websites I keep up on everyday.  Have applied for some positions, mostly teaching.  Have heard back on a couple, but I am waiting for just the right thing! Hopefully something that leaves time for volunteering and spending time with friends from school where I worked last year and enjoying this earth that the good Lord created to be enjoyed. 
• Another part of the daily routine is CLEANING!  I sweep the place everyday, mop often, take the trash out everyday and ALWAYS wash all of the dishes and keep food in the fridge or tightly sealed!  There are always bugs anywhere you go, and of course it’s also dusty! 
• Psar Toul Tom Pong (Russian Market) is a favorite stop of mine!  I love getting ‘Phnom Penh’s Best Iced Coffee’ from a very sweet man who always has multiple Sampeah’s (Khmer way of greeting, showing respect, saying thank you, etc! always a good thing) for you and his beautiful niece is always there as well.  These people are there 7 days a week, all day.  Never heard of sick days or vacation days J  Have met some super nice people just hanging out drinking coffee (two glasses of the best iced coffee in Phnom Penh for $1).  Today I met Michelle from Mayo, Ireland and Alex from D.C.  They are here for the summer working as law interns for an NGO, had a great time chatting with them!  Also you can find anything you want or need at the markets here, any kind of clothing or a tailor if you want your clothing made.  You can buy all of your food, bathroom and cleaning supplies, office supplies, things for a car or moto including tires and other parts, you can eat lunch, run into people from every country in the world, find any piece of jewelry, books, any cd, dvd, battery, camera part, lol I will stop but you get the point!
• Met a lovely Pakistani woman today named Maria!  She has the cutest son ever! Her husband is here working for Mobitel.  She has been here since May but has to head back home in a couple days.  I got her email though in case I even want to go visit. She lives in Peshawar and could NOT believe that I don’t have Facebook, ha-ha!
• Saw a white woman on a moto with TWO kids in front of her. Both of them had helmets, yea!  So wish I got a picture of that, funny sight and not so common! Six Khmer=fine, Three foreigners(including two kids)=not such a common sight!
• Today I got some groceries (you tend to buy more often and need to use more quickly groceries here because of the heat) and also some dvd’s.   The sun sets at 6 and I usually try to be inside by then, the evenings can get lonely so I usually read but with the TV on. Decided to get some new movies, let me know if anyone has recommendations (you can get any movie that is out, or haha in the theatre).  Anyhow…I guess it pays off hanging out in one place for an hour letting the employees practice their English on you and asking them all about their families, houses, distance to work, how they like their jobs, etc.!  Got six dvd’s for $7.50!  They are usually $1.50 or $2 each (at this high-quality place), even for Khmer ha-ha! Super sweet employee, Dany (English nickname) gave me her phone number.  Last time Mar and I found it is better to receive phone numbers than to give yours ha-ha. As it would not be uncommon for someone to call you ten times a day, even someone you just met! Mar remember Menghorng ahhhhhhh!!!  :)
• Ohhh the monsoons… I usually hide inside in the afternoon either at home or somewhere else.  So anytime between 1 and 4 it usually RAINS like crazy for an hour or two.  And these storms are not just crazy rain; they include extremely high wind, and amazing lightning.  Not so amazing is the fact that more than 90 people have been killed this year. LMore people die in Cambodia from lightning than in any other country, and it’s still early in the wet season. 

Sorry if this is boring, just trying to explain a typical day!  And actually I typed a huge thing and then i somehow lost it, so this is the second time around and not as well written because I got frustated haha.

Much Love! And many Sampeahs!