just what I needed

One year ago I received my invitation for Peace Corps Cambodia, nine months ago I arrived in Cambodia, and I just came home and took my fourth bucket shower of the day by candlelight. Where is the time going?

Holidays so far away from home and in another culture can be hard, I knew that coming in. I have been very lucky and was able to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and my birthday with other PCV’s. For other minor American holidays I honestly forget they are going on so missing them doesn’t seem like such a big deal. What I didn’t realize was how hard Khmer holidays could be. When my host family’s extended family comes over and everyone starts cooking and gathering, that is when I feel most acutely how far from home I am, not only in distance but in language, culture, and everything else.

Khmer New Year was a little bit rough because it is such a major holiday here and I had just returned from vacation and getting back to site but not coming back to a routine is always a little strange. I let myself wallow for a little bit until I got a text from another PCV about a Seder being held in Phnom Penh the following night. I was supposed to go back to work the next day and usually don’t feel comfortable accepting random blanket invitations but I knew it would make me feel better. So I went downstairs told my family I was leaving for a few days, asked my health center director for a few more days off of work (yes, in that order) and packed up a bunch of laundry to go get done while I was gone.

Going to PP was exactly what I needed. I got in with a few hours to spare before the Seder and had time to pick up a package from mom that I had been eagerly awaiting. I also found out that since I was in town I would be having my mid-service medical and dental exam the next day!

The Seder was really nice, the woman hosting works for an NGO here and I had actually met her before at training. There were 3 other families with young kids at the Seder but it was a nice small group. We used a traditional Haggadah, ate matzah ball soup, gefilte fish, roast chicken and potatoes; comfort food.

In a good mood from the Seder the night before I trekked to the dentist the next morning at 8:30 for a cleaning. Yes, the dentist in Cambodia, scary. It really wasn’t so bad and after my cleaning and a quick check I was pronounced cavity free! Then it was back to the Peace Corps office for my physical, where I was also given a clean bill of health. I celebrated with my first pedicure in 9 months (but only because I happened to pass a place that had OPI nail polish!).

The next morning it was time to head back to site and hope that my going home bus curse would be broken. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned any of this but the last two times I’ve ridden the bus home from PP I have not had the best of luck. First, I fell down the stairs of the bus ripping my toe open and having to use a bandana as a makeshift bandage for the remaining 3 hours (now I never travel without band aids), the next ride home the baby sitting directly behind me leaned over and vomited all down the back of my shirt. I was very lucky that it didn’t get in my hair and that I was wearing a tank top because I took that shirt off, used it as a rag and threw it out.

I took my seat and before long spotted a little boy drinking a HUGE carton of whole milk. No bueno. And sure enough, less than an hour into the 6 hour bus ride the seat next to me was completely doused in this little boy’s milky puke. Finally after he threw up for the second time someone switched seats and let him sit in the front of the bus. Maybe my luck is returning because this time the puke didn’t hit me, just a close call. While it does always make getting home just that much sweeter, this is a streak I wouldn’t mind breaking.

Today was my first day back at work in a long time and it’s nice to be getting back into the swing of things. Maybe I can finally tackle the overwhelming amount of laundry in my basket! Below are a few pictures I tried to put into the last post.

Off to my mosquito net!

Xo,

B

50th project

50th project

Thailand

Thailand

Thailand