Host Family = Great Decision

It was a bit lonely at first living with a host family, because everyone else I know is together at the guest house. However things are much better now. In the home a is father and mother, 3 daughters (ages 20-25) and a grandmother. The girls speak very good English, however the adults do not speak English. I love talking with the girls, but I wish I could talk to the adults. I feel somewhat rude, because the only words I say to them are simple word that I have learned like please, thank you, and hello. I have learned so much for the girls about culture, language and so much more. They say they are learning from me too, especially being able to practice their English. I have been trying (this is a key word) to help them with their homework since all of them are taking university classes in English. One of the girls is learning about the American Constitution. As we all know my knowledge of this is very limited. All I can say is that is was a very interesting conversation, and I am not sure I was much help to her.

I have attached a few pictures outside of the home but I will add more later. There are some distinct parts of the home I want to take pictures of but I have not had a chance to do this. There are also some pictures of a fun dinner out with the girls and their cousin.

Great dinner out! This soup was amazing, it had everything in it. The only thing I did not like was the octopus (too chewy). I even ate corn on the cob off of a chopstick. This is what they told me to do it was not my idea.

This is the front on the home I am staying in. This is what the average home looks like with a gated garage and the living space behind the garage.

These are pictures from the street I am living on. Street 390, it is very important I know this since getting lost seems to be occurring quite often lately.

Tonight I made a western dinner as they would call it. I had limited options when I went to the store so the final product was spaghetti, bread and homemade apple sauce. I know this is a random combo but I did not have a lot to work with. One of the daughters in the house helped me cook. She was so excited to learn to cook pasta, and can't wait to make it on her own. The parents in the house even liked it, I was a bit worried since rice and meat is the regular meal in the home.They liked it so much they had multiple  neighbors come over to try it. It was a very interesting experience. Something that for me appears so simple and easy was so exciting for them.  The girls in the house have had spaghetti in a restaurant, but had not idea how to make it. I think spaghetti may become a regular meal around their house after I leave. So after this expereince the girls want to learn how to cook more new foods. The next task is a cake, however this is going to be difficult as their ovens are very different here and they don't have cake pans. I will let you all know how it goes.

I will try to post some pictures from my work at the day care soon!

Eye Opening Experience

Yesterday I went to the Tuol Sleng S.21- Genocide Museum and the killing fields.

Tuol Sleng was designed for detention, interrogation, inhuman torture and killing after confessions.

The killing Fields is where people were taken to be killed however people were unaware of this fact as they were being transported.

I learned so much about the horrific experiences this beautiful country has been through. The short version is that the Khmer Rouge took over the country by marching into Phnom Peng on April 17 , 1975 and were in power from 1975-1979. During there time in power the people were worked until they collapsed and died of exhaustion, from disease or starvation, while others were detained and tortured and then later killed. Over four years, the Khmer Rouge killed more than 1.7 million people through work, starvation and torture. Here are a few pictures from my day. Today I saw where people were beaten, locked up and then later killed. If you are interested in the history related to this please do some reading, I am sure there is lots of info online.  I feel like I was totally naive to have had such a limited knowledge related to this topic before I came here.

This picture stood out for me and was heartbreaking. This is a picture of a little girl who as given a number, then tortured and killed.

Every person in Tuol Sleng was numbered and had their picture taken. The Khmer Rouge had very detailed documentation of their horrific acts.

This is the building used to house the detainees when they were not being tortured. Most people spent many months here before they were taken to be killed. It estimated that 17,000 Cambodians were imprisoned here. 

Jail like cells where people were kept with very limited food or water.

This is a picture of the 7 survivors of the Tuol Sleng. I think currently 2 are still alive. 

This is the killing tree that was used as a hard surface to break peoples skulls. This included women and children. I know I am being graphic but this was truly one of the saddest things I have ever seen.

Bones found in the killing fields.

Clothing continues to come to the surface throughout the killing fields. This was on the ground as I walked by. Someone came to this field with these clothes and never left.

                                     
                          One of many mass graves within the killing fields.

I know that this post was really sad and graphic but I wanted to open your eyes to things most people have limited knowledge about. I have more graphic pictures but decided against putting them online. I can admit that I knew almost nothing about this, but I am glad I have opened my eyes to this truly horrible experience of this country. The court case against the high officials of the Khmer Rouge for their acts continues to be in progress right now. I am sure as my trip continues I will have experiences that will open my eyes to events and experiences that will make me think about how lucky I truly am to have my current life.

Joy Day Care

I began my volunteer placement at Joy Day Care today. This day care was created to serve children that currently live within the old Phnom Pehn dump. Families scavenge through the dump to find mental and recyclables to earn money usually only 1 dollar a day. Before this day care children were left alone for the day while the parents were scavenging or they played in the dump along side their parents. I have attached a link that speaks more about the day care. It is not exactly as it is depicted on the video, but it gives you an idea. As you may have guessed the program is not as structured as the video makes it sound.

http://www.transformasia.us/home/other_ministries/day_care

I spent the day with a group of children 3-4 years old today. The day began with bathing the children, a Khmer lesson, a large meal, nap and a English lesson. I have decided I need to learn the words in Khmer  for no hitting and share. It was rough today not knowing how to say these, as this is what most children are trying to learn at this age. Before I began I did not know this was a Christian organization. I was asked about 10 times today by the staff if I was Christian. The children know many Christian songs and are very excited to show me. They even wanted to me say grace in English before eating today.  I am sure none of you will be surprised when I tell you I taught them a song today and look forward to teaching them more English songs. They love to sing. The day care is about 20 minutes away from their homes. I would have to say the most eye opening part of my day was taking the children home. I have never seen poverty as I did today, but I also saw such joy in the children's faces upon returning home. Seeing families living in small shacks among piles of garage is something I will never forget. I will be going back tomorrow but I am sure that this sight will never become normal for me.

I have many other random stories from my adventures but those will have to wait for another day.

Food for Thought

Sua S'dei (hello in Khmer)

All is well in Phnon Penh. I am loving my experience so far. I have met so many amazing people, many of which have the same passion for travel and volunteering as I do. I am really enjoying my experience with the host family. My limited Khmer skills is a struggle for me, but I am doing my best. You all know how I love to talk. I really wish I could speak to the parents and grandmother in the home. One of the older children in the home is great to talk to. It is a great trade off she is helping me with Khmer and I am helping her with her English.

So let me recap my crazy food day!

I eat breakfast and most other meals with my host family unless I decide to go out. My day started out with a sandwich like thing for breakfast with lettuce, chicken and what I think was mayonnaise and honey (not sure this is true but this is what it tasted like). In my opinion a very odd combination. All I can say I was pretty hungry most of the morning. Then lunch happened.

My lunch experience was two fold. We were in the central market and I order something for which I had no idea what it was. From what I could see I think it noddles and pork. However, when I got it, it had pork liver, pork that still had the skin on it, tofu, and two other things that I was unable to identify. See picture above. However my lunch took another turn when throughout my lunch an elderly woman continued to tap me on the shoulder begging for money. Randomly she did not ask my friend sitting right beside me. I attempted to use Khmer to tell her no, sorry but it was not a success. We were told not to give money so I followed this rule,  this is especially true for children who are begging because giving them money only motivates their parents to keep them out of school to earn money for the family. So the elderly woman continued to try to get money until she pointed at my food. I did not really say yes, but before I knew it she had taken my food, even stopping to add hot chilies to it. I was not finished with the food even though I was just picking at it. However if she needed food that badly I was glad to give it to her. It was an eventful meal, but one I will never forget. It really made me think about how much I take for granted. I may not have liked my meal but how often do we all take for granted the opportunity we have to feel full.

My next random eating experience today was eating a fried cricket. It kind of tasted like nothing just a bit crunchy. I would eat it again. I can add this to my list of random life experiences. Sorry if the video does not work it was being difficult.

However my day ended with an amazing Cambodian meal host by our volunteer organization VAC.

My day of random food experience really made me think how thankful I should be that I am never really hungry in the true sense of the word. This fact is untrue for many people in the world.

I can't wait until tomorrow when I begin my volunteer placement. I am placed at Joy Day Care. I know very little about it but I am so excited to begin the work I came here to do.

The adventure begins!!!

So the adventure has begun! I can't believe I have six months on my own, as you all know how social I am. However  I am so excited to meet new people along the way! I sit here writing this on my flight to Seoul, I then fly to Phnom Phen after a short lay over. I am posting during my lay over. I feel like I have not been in one spot for this long in forever let alone sitting the whole time. Anyone that has seen me over the last month knows I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. 14 hours is a long time and now I have a 5 hour flight to Phnom Phen. However I did catch up on lots of movies. I think I can finally feel the excitement. I can't wait to start volunteering. I know when I see the first child's face all of the stress I have been feeling over the last few months will be worth it. I am so ready to see where this journey takes me. I am ready to change and grow, so bring it on world!!!!

In this post I want to thank each and every one of you for your overwhelming support. I know I could not be going on this adventure and living this dream without all of your support. I don't know how I got so lucky in life to have such an amazing support network. I hope I can keep this blog updated so each of you can share this trip with me, as you are all a big part of making this possible for me!!!

I am not sure what kind of Internet access I will have while I am volunteering, but I will definitely post again when I am on my own in Asia at the beginning of November. I hope to have lots of great pictures to post.

My current motto is "walk with purpose even if you have no idea where you are going". I think this may be my motto my entire trip!

The Count Down- 2 more weeks

I am not very good at this blog thing so you are going to have bare with me as I learn. I am very excited to use this blog to keep everyone updated on my adventures. I will do my best to keep it updated but I make no promises. I hope you enjoy all of my random thoughts!

The count down is on, as I leave for my adventure in two weeks. I am full of emotions as I say goodbye to so many people in Cincinnati with a still no clear decision if I am coming here to live when I get back. Not sure how is has happened but Cincinnati has become my home away from home. I am looking forward to spending the next week embracing everything that is Cincinnati and that means especially my amazing friends and a few of my favorite foods! Then I will head back to Canada for a week to say goodbye to everyone there. It is going to be an eventful two weeks. I hope I can find some time to pack between all of my social engagements.

I am so lucky to have an opportunity to do so many of my favorite things all at once. Volunteering and travel are two of my passions and now I have the chance to do both of them. I am full of emotions about all of the change that is about to happen, but I know all of these emotions are going to make this trip even more meaningful. I continue to get the question "where are you going" so here is. It is rough plan but it will give you the idea.

Cambodia: Oct.15- Nov. 11
South East Asia (no exact plans): Nov.12 - Nov. 30
Ghana: Dec. 1 - Jan. 6
United Arab Emirates: Jan. 7- Feb. 3
Europe (no exact plans): Feb. 4 - April 11