Day 12 - Cambodia (30 July 2019)
This morning started awfully early, as we left the resort at 4:30 am to drive to the airport. It was a quiet ride all the way there. After making a pit stop at the restroom, I guess I got in the correct line to check in.
When we arrived at the airport, we knew we needed a Cambodian Visa, but were somehow funneled through the express lane that cost more and took longer. However, we finally made it through the process, collected our passports and luggage, and out on a bus to drive to our hotel.
Our hotel had a covered, but open lobby. It was a nice hotel and felt pleasant as you walked in. There were cats in the dining area, which kicked in my allergies, but it was a pretty place! After breakfast, we set out to visit a preschool.
Siem Reap is a pretty place that has a unique style with extremely kind people. It is the third largest city in Cambodia and had about 450,000 people.
We made it to one of the main schools, and then split into two groups to walk to where the preschools were through the countryside.
The preschool that I went to was a half-enclosed structure with a tin roof. The school is for both the preschool children and their moms, and it’s held once a week. Today’s lesson was on how to not get worms.
We made our way back through the paths and into town for lunch at the market.
It was a cultural experience to walk through the market and be constantly asked to buy something, then bartering to purchase it. In Cambodia, they also accept and use USD. I love all of the colors everywhere too!
After finding ice cream for lunch, we gathered together to go to an art school.
The art school was started by a former high school art teacher from Japan. It was created as a way for students to learn art techniques, all for free. They do some prettty cool stuff with the community too.
We loaded back on the bus and drove over to the National Museum. We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside. However, I was really impressed with learning about some of the earlier history of Cambodia. Specifically from the 8th through 13th centuries, which included information about Angkor Wat.
We made our way back to the hotel for dinner and an evening of relaxation and some laundry washing too.
Somehow, half of the group was stuck in a line that wasn’t moving, and they closed the check in process one hour before the flight left. I went through the two security check points before reaching the gate, and then noticed the rest of our group didn’t make it. So, they had their own adventure for the day before making it to the hotel for the night. Meanwhile, I got to sit by a window for the sunrise!
When we arrived at the airport, we knew we needed a Cambodian Visa, but were somehow funneled through the express lane that cost more and took longer. However, we finally made it through the process, collected our passports and luggage, and out on a bus to drive to our hotel.
Our hotel had a covered, but open lobby. It was a nice hotel and felt pleasant as you walked in. There were cats in the dining area, which kicked in my allergies, but it was a pretty place! After breakfast, we set out to visit a preschool.
Siem Reap is a pretty place that has a unique style with extremely kind people. It is the third largest city in Cambodia and had about 450,000 people.
We made it to one of the main schools, and then split into two groups to walk to where the preschools were through the countryside.
The preschool that I went to was a half-enclosed structure with a tin roof. The school is for both the preschool children and their moms, and it’s held once a week. Today’s lesson was on how to not get worms.
They also had the books purchased with money from donations from our group. It seemed pretty powerful to empower the next generation and their moms with reading materials.
We made our way back through the paths and into town for lunch at the market.
It was a cultural experience to walk through the market and be constantly asked to buy something, then bartering to purchase it. In Cambodia, they also accept and use USD. I love all of the colors everywhere too!
After finding ice cream for lunch, we gathered together to go to an art school.
The art school was started by a former high school art teacher from Japan. It was created as a way for students to learn art techniques, all for free. They do some prettty cool stuff with the community too.
The students also display and sell their art here. Half of the sale goes back to the student, and the other half helps the program with costs and materials.
We had the choice to create either a journal cover or a fan. I’m glad they were willing to help out this Novice!
We loaded back on the bus and drove over to the National Museum. We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside. However, I was really impressed with learning about some of the earlier history of Cambodia. Specifically from the 8th through 13th centuries, which included information about Angkor Wat.
We made our way back to the hotel for dinner and an evening of relaxation and some laundry washing too.
I ordered a Khmer massage for the evening. It’s a stretching massage, and it was unique! They were originally designed for monks. There is no oil used, but they combine some Thai massage techniques, pressure points, reflexology, and loads of intense stretches. I was glad that I had on my pajamas for it.
Cambodia has been full of sites, sounds, smells, and faces that are unique to this country. I am looking forward to the next few days to discover some more about this beautiful country!
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