I would love to say that I have not updated my blog in so long because I've just been THAT busy, but....that would be a lie. In all honesty, I have done more hammock napping and book reading in the last six months than I have EVER done in my life.
Christmas was lovely and VERY VERY laid back. I went to Phnom Penh with my friend Adrienne and we ate all kinds of Western food that we have been missing for the last three months (Christmas weekend was the first weekend we were allowed to come back to Phnom Penh after Lockdown), revelled in the air conditioning, and basked in the glory of each other's company.
I am blessed to have come this far from home and made such a rock solid friend.
New Years I spent at home with my host family. Global new years isn't such a big deal for Cambodians, since they also celebrate Khmer New Year and Chinese New Year, so on New Year's eve I slept and read until about 11:30 or 11:45pm. My host brother asked me to watch tv with him, so my brother, my mom and I watched a really REALLY bad new year's concerty (live, in Phnom Penh) and then a very anemic fireworks display. I was in bed and asleep by 12:20, I think.
Since then I've been working (a little) and being sick (a lot). I have been plagued by intestinal diseases here, and January was an extreme example of that. I seem to be on the mend now, thanks to my Peace Corps Medical Officer and the miracle of modern science and chemistry.
At training we were told to expect to gain weight...until now I have LOST 60lbs, which is cool and strange at the same time. The mirror I have at my home is about big enough to see my face if I stand in the right place, so when I came to Phnom Penh this week for medical treatment I looked in a big, fully body mirror and didn't recognize myself. That was a trip.
Look for more interesting reading to come soon....I hope.
Hey there.
ReplyDeleteI was a Peace Corps Volunteer from 2005-2008 in Africa and will be travelling with my sister to Cambodia and wanted some PCV inside advice....
1.) How much are cell phones and how much is the SIM card and activation? Also what do calling cards cost?
2.) Do you wear any non-western clothing? If so how much does a typical outfit cost?
3.) Any other advice? We will be in PP, SR, and the Cardamom Mountains and are travelling in from early to mid-June.
Peace,
Mike
The phones themselves range from $25-100 depending on what kind and quality you want to get. I recommend avoiding buying phones from the street vendors....they never work. Sim cards can be anywhere from free to $10, depending on when you get them--there are usually promotions on for free sim cards, though, and they don't charge for activation if you top up with a calling card.
ReplyDeleteCalling cards come in $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, and I *think* $50 denominations.
For my teaching, I am required to wear a traditional Khmer skirt, called a Sampot. It cost about $5.00 for the fabric and $2.00 to have it made. Traditional wedding clothes (as a guest, not a bride) can range in the hundreds of dollars.
As for Phnom Penh, if you plan on staying in hotels or guest houses, I'd recommend the Town View Hotel or the L'Oasis guest house. They are both pretty nice. The Town View is bigger and has free wireless in the lobby, but the Oasis has HOT water for showers, which doesn't sound all that appetizing in a tropical country until you've gone a month without a shower.
I haven't been to SR yet, but obviously you won't want to miss Ankor Wat. It is expensive, from what I've heard, so be prepared to pay the Barang (foreigner) price.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Reading through your blogs is wonderful, Nikki! I pray for you all the time and I'm so excited that a beautiful woman of God like you has given up their time and everything else to bring peace to this world.
ReplyDeleteI love you, miss you, and pray for you.