10-18-2012 - Phenon Penh
LAT Report
Today went to a monastery on a hill quite away from home so got to see a lot of the country side, lots of sad housing ..shacks...lots of garbage everywhere as they don't have a garage removal service. Plastics was introduced into this country in 1983 and the people did not understand that it does not "melt into the ground" like discarded food does so it sits in mounds everywhere. In contrast to the poverty is the monasteries... They are beautiful and often opulent. The monastery we went into this morning was very very beautiful and we took our shoes off (do this in all the monasteries) and went in and it was a great open hall with beautiful paintings on the walls and ceilings and beautiful chandeliers ..and there were three older monks in the middle sitting down on the floor in their orange robes. We were instructed to all sit down on the floor also (on mats), they were going to give us their blessing and chant for us..we were to close our eyes and meditate...I honestly meditated on how the heck I was going to get up off the floor when they were done...during the chant they threw Lotus buds at us..I thought it was raining..but I did not open my eyes! We then wandered around the grounds and left for the next stop. This was a vsmall village where they do silver work, still very poor shacks and they work right at their houses, one of the houses was working on the urn for the king's burial..they were very honored and their urn was beautiful. We then did a shopping opportunity and we did...we are in all villages always followed by young people trying to sell you something of their wares...they always know enough English to ask your name and ask where you are from...some of them have told us their names are Linda also...but we don't really think that is true. Walking in these villages is soooooo hot and muggy...that I could not wait to get back and take a shower and have a nice cold cold beer The afternoon we went for a tuk-tuk ride with Diick, Candy, Ed and Pat. We all hose a place around the city we wanted to see..Linda chose a chocolate store I chose a quilt store. It was wonderful and their quilts are all hand quilted and very very nice ..they were made in the villages to raise money for food and medicine for that village. Ok ok I bought a beautiful king sized red/maroon single fabric quilt with the most beautiful hand quilting design...ii also found two pillow shams with patchwork squares that are reds and dark maroons to match. The quilt cost $218.00 can you believe that? I should have bought more! They had an incredible log cabin that was in browns and tans... One that was fans , one that was kimono's, one with a cute local woman with a native costume...oh my I wish I had bought more...I am having it shipped home so should be there soon after I arrive. It was a fun afternoon!
Had dinner and by that time I am ready for bed!
LMR Report
Left for an hour long us ride --much better bus then yesterday.
Becoming good friends with Dick and Candy from Lake Oswego and Ed andPat from Edmonton area. Having our meals with them and lots of laughs about our foibles.
Sent laundry down anxious to see how much that will be.
First stop today is biggest Buddhist temple in Cambodia, absolutely stunning. We all sat on the floor and meditated while monks prayed for us, very spiritual. Big picture of Sihanouck surrounded by flowers. Population is three million which they expect to triple during seven days of the funeral. Saw the temple with the dead priest that has been preserved..that long ..he looked pretty good..see pictures.
This was the only "happy room" stop and our guide gave us toilet paper before we went in, not quite an out house smell but close! Big tub of water next to toilet with pot to fill toilet for flushing.
Second AM stop small village which specialized in silver, saw a family making the giant urn for the kings ashes after cremation which will not happen for three months.
Lunch at 1pm followed by tuk-tuk ride through town. I want to go to the chocolate store, cannot imagine how that will be in the 90 degree and 95% humidity. Yesterday Lind and I stood outside without an umbrella in the all too brief shower or rain fall..it felt good and we wanted more!
Made it to the chocolate store, candy did not melt on return trip to ship. We stopped at an ATM to get money, at the central market so Pat and Ed could look for granddaughters gifts.
Linda bought a quilt, which I am sure she will talk a out in her blog.
Upon return to ship went to Angkor Gift shop and made some holiday purchases! Then to su deck for wine and drink of the day. Everyone from Group B (our group) in great moods and totally relaxed. Missed the evening lecture on French influence on Cambodia. Dinner - more laughs -- getting table joules going just amongst our little group..we make sure our table is just big enough so no new people can crash!
Tomorrow is the rickshaw ride and killing fields museum. Got my laundry back, good to have all clean clothes.Pics 10-18-2012Pictures 10-18-2012
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