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You no buy, I cry
Entry 5 of 13 | show all | print this entry |
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When you visit Cambodia it's hard to avoid museums and
memorials about the genocide that only finally came to an end in 1998 when the
civil war finished and Pol Pot died. What we've found even
more terrifying is that it was happening in our lifetime so we were pleased to
be able to give something back here by spending two weeks starting the building
work for a new orphanage and teaching English to some of the orphans.
Highlights for the last few weeks include:
- Hiring bikes in Luang Prabang, Laos and taking in the local countryside under our own
steam. Laos really is the most chilled out place we've been and the people
would make someone like Chris Johns/Ollie Cairns look like Mr Busy.
- Getting three massages in one week. Indulgent, yes, but supporting the local economy so
thoroughly justified.
- Seeing Buddhas of every size, shape and position
- Floating down the Mekong River in a rubber ring, soaking up the sun and stopping at bars
to partake in some social drinks and the occasional zip wire.
- Having the guts to walk out of a hotel in Phnom Penh and go to the one next door
because the room wasn't worth the money and there were bed bugs. A life first
for both of us.
- Experiencing the real Cambodia down a potholed mud track where oxen are the only farm
machinery and electricity comes from a generator. This is where we started work
on a new orphanage.
- Seeing the delight on one of the orphans faces when he finally worked out how to write
the letter C
- Being amazed by the shear size and beauty of Angkor Wat but actually preferring it's
smaller and more magical neighbours, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm
- Kamal sweating so profusely as he clears land at the orphanage site that he has to
towel down more regularly than Rafael Nadal. Luckily he hasn't adopted the
picking his pants out of his bum trait. Yet...
- Visiting the floating village on Tonlé Sap where anything and everything can be found on
the water - shops, schools, police and even a basketball court!
- Being amazed at just how much you can get on the back of a pick up truck - animals,
people, mattresses and mopeds, as many as possible and all at the same time.
- You no buy, I cry - the new sales patter of all hawkers while trying to sell you
exactly the same piece of fruit as the person next to them!
Next stop Bangkok and an elephant sanctuary before hitting the beach...
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