Have some faith Cambodia

STELLA MY NEW NIECE !!!  Born April 19th

a volunteer at her Cambodian wedding. She married a local guy in her village. Check out that make up

this taxi is a little crouded

a trip to the meat market! We had a scavenger hunt the first few weeks- thus the silliness and my choice of clothing

 silly photos, I want to do this before I leave

my education area at the health center. I sit here most of the time

some wedding crashers

I had three things happen since coming to Cambodia, where Ive proven to myself and the locals that if you are determined to do something, you really can.  Nothing too big, but still. The first incident was while in the nearest city, 20 mintues away. I can take a bus there in 20 minutes or ride my bike in an hour. I usually stock up on a few things such as oatmeal juice boxes, pumpkin seeds, hair dye and stuff to snack on after a disappointing dinner. This day, I stopped at a road side stall and bought a water, and then hopped on the next van (taxi) that passed me and who agreed to a price- I realized half way home that I had left my bag of snacks !   Ugh, well there goes that I thought at first. But, a few days later I was going back there so I thought I would give it a shot, afterall 3 or 4$ is what I make in a whole day ! I had left a bag of  hairdye oatmeal and sunflower seeds somewhere, but where? I knew I had walked down a side street and turned a few times. So I retraced my steps, and recognized this store( one of 10 on any given street) I noticed my yellow shopping bag right as I approached and the lady knew right away why I was there. My host family just laughed in amazement that I recovered my bag.  The second time something happend, I was in the capital city of Phnom Penh and I had taken my bike to get tuned up, I had a large backpack with my computer and Peace Corps had given us a huge amount of stuff as well, such as posters, games, and brochures for my health center. I had an ordeal trying to get all of that to the bus station to begin with, and then I got on the bus, a large commercial style tour bus for my 2 hour ride home.  When I approached my house, it was already dark, and I had to shout to the bus driver to STOP HERE ! I got off and one of the bus helpers assisted me getting my bike and things from the compartment under the bus, the neighbors whose house I pulled up in front of walked up to help with my bike and bags. The bus hurried away before I could really double check. That night when I went to brush my teeth (bottled water in hand, cant use the rain water) it hit me that I never grabbed my big backpack. I instantly asked my host mom to call the bus station. She did but they said the station was closed and they would have to leave a note for the morning crew. I thought for sure my bag would be gone.    The next morning we called again, and luckily they had the bag. Even so I assumed it would be half empty... but when I got the call, I hopped on a bus to the city next to mine and got the bag. Everything was in it,  I couldnt believe it.
The third occassion happend just this weekend. I went shopping for a few things for my visit home, including a wedding gift for a friend. I figured I wont have much money once I get  home, and who wouldnt want a nice paiting from Cambodia? Well, waiting for my bus, went to buy a water, and once again I left something behind. We were 20 minutes down the road when I realized it., the girl in front of me spoke some English and agreed to help me track this down. She giggled and said basically to forget about it, it would be gone for sure. I insisted that she help me call the bus station, who then connected us to a series of 3 or so people who said the station was closed and they would have someone call us back tomorrow. She kept insisting that I should give up, that the painting was gone. I became angry, and just stared out the window sitting on my broken seat down the bumpiest road Ive had thus far in Cambodia, sitting next to what had to be the largest (fattest) man in Cambodia for 5 1/2 hours. The next morning at 6:30am I got a series of three phone calls, and my Khmer is still iffy but I got the gist of it. They put my painting on the next bus and it would arrive around 2pm.  I was shocked but yet, I sort of knew I would get it back, I just knew I could find it. The girl who helped me on the bus then called to say she also got a call about my painting. I had to ride a bike over to the bus station to pick it up, and pay a fee of 2 $ for the transportation. So, when I lose something, I have to find it, I will find it.

THE DENTIST

  Going to the dentist in a country where most people cheated their way through highschool AND college is not very comforting. It started with a routine check up, teeth cleaning. The dentist and assistants were all men, wearing tight white outfits. The cleaning was fairly normal, but really didnt seem like they were cleaning anything. He kept asking if it hurt, over and over. I kept answering no, it doesnt hurt...meanwhile no English is being spoken. Finally its time to buff / polish my teeth. Usually they dab a little on the polisher and clean little by little, but not this guy. He spread the whole container of gritty polish all over my teeth. It looked like I had eaten a strawberry pie. Then he turns on the 'sand-blaster'and next thing the gritty stuff is being sprayed all over my face. Im thinking, what is this guy doing?  He even asked me to open my eyes and watch the cleaning. I kept saying (with his hands still in my mouth, in Khmer)  I cant open my eyes, theres sand spraying all over my face !
A few weeks later while eating one of my favorite meals, I bit down on a sliver of pork bone and cracked a back molar in half. Ouch. I immediately called the Peace Corps doctor who said to come in as soon as I could and they would take me to the dentist. I packed a few things and flagged down a taxi as usual, for my 2 1/2 hour ride to the capital. The first visit was ok, they numbed my mouth, fitted me for a crown and put on a temporary one. This cracked and fell out within 2 days. My tooth was killing me, meanwhile everyone around me has rotten teeth or are missing half thier teeth, why was it hurting me so much? I am actually really lucky to be able to go to the capital to a dentist and not one of the village dentists. But I disagree.  After what is now the 5th visit to  the dentist to attempt to put a crown in, it still has not been resolved. They considered doing a root canal (in a 3rd world country? No thanks)  then they decided they wanted to save my tooth, then they had to fit me for another crown, and so on... finally I told the PC doctor that I really just didnt have faith in this dentist, it didnt seem like he knew what to do. So she agreed that if I did end up finally needing a root canal that I would be going to Bangkok for it. Bangkok is a hub more great medical care. People come from all over Asia to get healthcare there. Its cheaper and better quality. A few volunteers have gone and said the hospital there is amazing, similar to a shopping mall but instead, a hospital.


and finally, tonights dinner menu

fried pork mostly fat...but delicious
stir fried honey comb, bee larve and all. * I took a courtesy bite

rice.