It was an early rise today. We woke to the sound of gecko barks (kate swears this is real so we’re going with it) and cicada whispers. After a lovely bucket shower with the rain water from the previous day’s downpour, we moseyed over for a bread and/or noodle breakfast at the Metta Karuna. Then, after packing up our bags, we hopped aboard our bus (to which we have assigned the nomer Sheila), and rode her perfect royal purple interiors across Siem Reap to PEPY. Upon arrival, we removed our shoes and then climbed the stairs with great anticipation toward the classroom in which our pen-pals waited (also with anticipation). We stepped in, sought our penpals, greeted them with our limited Khmai, and then dove into colorful and extensive conversation. After an eventful and exciting morning of exchange with our penpals, we all boarded Sheila once again and headed to a local vegetarian restaurant (maya was elated [she is, indeed, a vegetarian]). Once lunch had been eaten, we drove the penpals (our new friends) back to the PEPY office and bid them adieu (Leah Hery). Then it was time to check into the Frangipani (which we like to call “the frang”). Later that afternoon, we assembled in a heavily air conditioned conference room for a workshop/discussion on poverty and privilege lead by our fearless leaders, Untac and Tana. ‘Twas very interesting. We enjoyed. Then we Tuk Tuked to dinner before the circus. The circus was absolutely crackers (to borrow the phrase from Sister Denise of the Metta Karuna). The name of the circus was “White Gold,” and it was about the significance of rice in the Cambodian diet as well as about the consequences of materialism. We then tuk tuked home to the Frang where we now sit in the lobby writing to you lads. Next stop room 108 where Kate will cry about the fact that she does not have enough Malaria medication to ensure that she does not contract the disease (she would like to include that she will probably be fine, and not to worry about it too much) while Maya and Lena secure those meds. We are all sad that this trip is coming to a close. It will be a tearful goodbye when Kate leaves us tomorrow. It’s been a fantastic trip filled with joy, enlightenment, transformation, new friends, and good times. We gotta go, there is a (obscenely large) cricket in the lobby, so we must vacate the premise immediately. Peace and love.
Doctor Nguyen just informed us that “nobody reads our blog,” but, if your happen to be an outlier, thank you for your time. We love you.
PS: Cynthia would like to add that all you “schumcks” who don’t comment have two chances left, so hop on it.
PSS: ask your child about the “poo check” when they get home.
PSSS: we’re gonna miss you Untac and Tana.
