Day 10 - Out in the country

Good evening


OK, well...where to start in this crazy place of Cambodia! And when I say crazy, I really do mean crazy! In a good way of course! All the sights, all the smells, all the people, all the traffic, all the markets, all the street stalls, I don’t think I can actually explain the full content in which this country functions but it somehow works. It’s been quite a touching couple of days for me. Last night, we stayed in one of the villages on the Vietnam boarder. It’s only really hit me now as I’m lying in my bed, with the light on and air con on full, how difficult it really can be for people out in remote areas as we were.


On the way back to Phnom Penh, we stopped off at two other villages along the way. They were very remote and desolate villages surrounded by miles and miles, as far as you could see, of rice paddy fields with the odd palm tree scattered in between. We passed many animals, including cattle, pigs, goats, ducks and water buffalo (which the children would look after). These were all extremely difficult to take pictures of when bouncing around in a mini bus, driving along a raised footpath! This was also quite a hair-raising experience at times. On one occasion, we had to try and pass another vehicle which just seemed impossible, but these crazy Cambodian drivers will go anywhere. I used a typical dad trait here, when I advised everyone to sit on the higher side of the bus to keep it from rolling over. Haha


When entering the villages, when we visited the schools, the children would often be lined up, as if on best behaviour to greet us. They had a look of anticipation and excitement on their faces. The older people were fascinated by the colour of our skin and blonde hair that they would want to touch or stroke our skin. This sounds intimidating but I really didn’t for one minute feel uncomfortable, as they were so humble and gentle. The CFC (Care for Cambodia) leaders would normally start by doing a very simple song with the children. This would include actions that the children had to follow. This was used as an ice breaker activity so that the children felt happier to communicate with us. After this, we played games to get to know the children better. You have no idea how the simplest of things like playing catch would make a child smile so much.
In one of the villages we went to the day previously, one boy was on crutches. I later found out on the way home, his story. When he was younger, he had a fever. His parents didn’t know how to make him better but remembered that the boys’ uncle used to give his pigs an injection when they were ill and it would make them better. So they decided to give their son the same injection as the pigs. This caused the boy to lose his ability to use his legs. This was a very upsetting thing to hear and the bus to the next village was very quiet. Chris said that maybe we could look into raising money to buy the boy a bike, as he said that he would be able to ride it and go to University. Up to now he wasn’t able to go to University.


We gave the children, from the villages on the way home, jelly sweets and bread as a gift from CFC. They were so grateful, their little faces lit up when we gave them their sweets. I personally found them....not nice!


Earlier in the week, I found one of the villages particularly moving. The children just seemed to want to connect to us quicker and in the games and craft activities that they would almost fight to hold our hands. The whole village came to see us. One girl, who was 19, really caught my attention. Every time I turned around, she would be looking at me. One time, Jess and I were cornered by a number of older women and children, all speaking Cammi, touching our faces and our hair. As I looked out over the crowd, the girl, whose name I can’t remember, was looking from a distance. She seemed very shy and very fascinated. I noticed that she was very covered up in clothing and I asked why. Apparently, she wanted to keep her skin as pale as possible, as it is seen as a sign of wealth in Cambodia. I found this so sad as the 19 year old had hardly anything and was living in a little hut with her one year old daughter and her mother in the middle of nowhere. I asked if she would like me to french plat her hair, as i had platted mine that day, but she shook her head. I knew she would have loved to have had it done really but she was obviously too nervous. When we left, I asked if I could have a picture taken with her. After much persuasion from her family, she agreed. I showed her the picture afterwards and she had the biggest smile. It was a very happy moment for her and myself. She had always wanted to be an actress and this for her, was a glimpse of hope.


After leaving the villages, many children would run after the bus. I found the heat in the villages really hard to bear for long periods and getting back on the bus was a very relieving moment. I found the children running slightly awkward for two reasons. One: The children and their families couldn’t escape the heat like we could, and Two: How could they possible want to run in such hot conditions without shoes on their feet!


Woah....OK Sam, Its three minutes to twelve, I think I have to be ready by nine o’clock tomorrow so I better stop babbling now. Over the road in the very posh house the light are off, and right next to the hotel in the slum-like area, I can see out of my window, they have just pulled their piece of plastic sheeting over the window. I assume that this means it’s time for bed.
I wish I could write more and tell you about the craziness of this diverse country, but I have a feeling I would be here all night. I will never forget my experiences I have had in Cambodia. It truly is a very special place with VERY special people.

Sam x