we're quickly stopping for internet in phnom penh before we head into the rural village of kampong plok where we are staying with a host family. not much time to update yall, but oh the stories i have...
our second day in siem reap allowed us to visit the remote stilted village on the edge of tonle sap. tonle sap is a fresh water lake (the largest in all of SE Asia) and is known for it's floating villages and markets, and it's community on stilts. our guide, sarou, lived en route to the lake and so, caving to our pleas, he took us past his house for a surprise visit to see his mom, sister, and home. it was a great experience to just pop in on a typical day of a cambodian family. his mom had had no education and can't write (even in khmer) and cannot speak any english, and yet the hospitality she displayed was easily translated and understandable. their family are farmers and have rice paddies in the back, as well as corn, pigs, chicken, kapok trees and banana palms, as do most other families that live in that village. it was a fabulous impromptu visit (and we were the first and only group he has ever taken there)!
we arrived at the canal leading to tonle sap after having passed many bright green, vermilion rice paddies (which is rare since most of the fields have been arid due to it being the dry season) and boarded our boat. making our way out onto the grand lake, we past locals fishing by cashing large nets (while in the water) and families along the canal mashing dried fish for fish paste. the men were long limbed and sinewy, toned from daily labor and lack of meals. the children were even helping in the daily tasks. because it was early evening the sun was that warm, rich light (i have probably mentioned this quality of light before, but i am obsessed with it-- in any culture!) and the shadows were perfect. the colors were just perfect, if i could call it that. nothing was needed. despite the fact that the water was a muddy brackish color (like lake Shasta or the Chesapeake bay), and the banks the same muddy red/brown, made the colors of their clothes sing in contrast. that, coupled with being on a boat with warm breezes tickling our skin, made the experience surreal. man i loved it. but i guess i just love being on the water!
the sunset from the lake (once we made through the maze of canals) was peaceful and all was right with the world.
coming back we walked through the village. sanitation does not exist, so fires of collected trash that had been swept by families, provided the only illumination for our return.
darnnnnnnnn so much to say! but my bus is leaving NOW! hate to run... i still need to tell you about our bus hitting (and killing) a cow on yesterday's drive, and our experience teaching english on this island only accessible by a bamboo bridge! so i have to go. bridget ran to get me lunch (and for dessert we have a tarantula...! we decided we weren't craving it for breakfast so we've saved it for now)!
ok. now i'm late.
love love!