Project Cambodia 2

15 Sept '06

Rise and shine in Phnom Penh! Gathering excitedly at the lobby at 0800, we were ready to march towards our breakfast place 2 shops down. So exciting to see what was to be on my breakfast plate! Even dreaming about the food I’ve seen on pushcarts alongside the roads could really make me drool. Hee. Especially the french loaf. Haha. Settled down, took orders, as well as receiving the many peeps by the people around, here comes the food!- Soup Vermicelli with pig organs and bean sprouts, sweet tea, and mini french loaves! Whoa!

Back to the guesthouse, we took our gigantic bags down, checked out, stacked our bags back into the minibus, and boarded the bus. 0900 - Bye Phnom Penh! Not back for Singapore, but towards Kampong Cham. Enjoying the view at the window, I had a clear glimpse on the of the faces of the Cambodians from each of their looks as we passed by the city. Passing by zinc huts, push carts, bridges, “shopping centers”, markets, barreled petrol-top up points and temples as we approached for Spider Town for lunch! I was looking forward to lunch, but “Spider Town” seems to have diffused my hopes. 1130 - Spiders anyone? Yup, 8-legged freaks to be served! GOSH! Can’t believe I’m doing this. Personally, I do hate spiders; even touching it would give me cold feet. Eating it? Never thought of it. But to eat with this bunch of primers beside me made me feel assuring. Many of us was overcoming our fear, planning and thinking which part to go for, while Danny is busy tearing the black, fried 8 legged spider apart, distributing amongst the team. YUCKS! Culture shock for many, and some went into the rejection stage! Goodness! Diverting our mindset away towards for the experience, many of us summoned the courage to hold the spidery parts. Staying side by side with each other around the oblong shaped table, on three, 1, 2, and 3! In it goes, chewing on the lower segment of the spider, it tastes like... BEEF! Huh? Just a little crunchier, that’s all! In goes the whole spider, as several of us attempted the second try. Happily snapping photos, we captured the memorable events. Lunch was then served. Filling our stomachs with spiders, rice and fish and real beef, we continued our journey. YISH (WQ’s fav word)!

Passing the endless greens, we then came to a stop to purchase bottles of distilled water. 22.5 L per bottle, the officers bought close to 20. Packed like sardines, we moved on our journey, coming by bumpy terrain for about 2 hours. From tarred roads to muddy and uneven paths, came by properly clothed Cambodians to half-naked males, we arrived at our destination, “Hope for Orphans” at around 1700. The frolicking group of 19 was so eager to hop off the bus. We were well received by the orphans. What I saw, I couldn’t forget. As our bus made the turn into the orphanage, the orphans lined themselves orderly and neatly and clapped their hands as we entered into the compound. The lot began running behind the bus, excited for our arrival, and greeted us as each of us stepped off the bus. “Sim Rat Su”, with hands together, I had my first impression on the kids that I’m spending with for the next 6 days. Though our actual work hasn’t started, the orphanage had already moved our hearts. The orphanage who are excited for our coming a month before, had prepared a tentage, and 2 rooms for us, a male and a female room. Even the bunk beds within are layed with comfortable newly bought mats. Squeaky clean floors. We were somehow or rather speechless by the grace of the Orphanage and Pastor Im.

Despite the tents we brought, we were invited to use the rooms. A human chain was formed and the bags and bottled water began flooding in the room. After settling down for awhile, we began to decide the sleeping arrangement, and didn’t hesitate to interact with the orphans by hand signs and simple Khmer language. Though there was a language barrier, it didn’t stop us. Sheng long, Vimel, Jun Jie was playing with the kids at the doorstep, while several of us, Kenny, Bernard, Zhi Hao, Chun Yuan and I sang father Abraham to them. All tried to copy what were doing, and then YISSSH! The kids sang their Khmer version! WOW! Cultural exchange! Dinner was served, with clear smiles and warm by the cooks and volunteers. Sumptuous and yummy, so like mum’s cooked food. At 2000, after taking our bathe in the toilets we were inside the boys room drawing up house and construction site rule and regulations. Our day activities ended with a short reflection time on what has happened throughout the day. Much to my surprise, beautiful scenes just keep flowing onto us. During that night, when the kids are asleep, so was several of us, the lights went out. Everywhere was pitch black. As I faced the sky, million and millions of stars revealed themselves, something that I’ve never seen before. I was glued by the beauty of the night sky. Simply unforgettable.


The day was so different from what I’ve thought, from the taste of the spiders, to the attitudes of the Cambodian people, especially those inside the orphanage to the beauty of the Cambodian night sky. Even just a day in the orphanage, I’m starting to feel so much gratitude for them. A third world country, but yet, what makes it beautiful here are, the People. I reluctantly close my eyes, to see a beautiful day go by, but confident of opening my eyes into one.



Edwin

Bernard