Cambodia: Day 11
Start at the beginning.It's My Turn
This morning we went Chreybak church. On the way, I was feeling a bit tired and lethargic. I thought it was just remnants from the sleeping pills that I took the night before. But even when I arrived at the church, I was still feeling really lethargic. It wasn't until we sat down to worship that I really felt it.
My joints ached. My head was light. I instantly knew that I had a cold. I am guessing that I got the virus from either Soekna, who was sick the previous day or Mr. Soek, who was sick the previous week. On top of that, I had spent two days driving long distances on the moto and spent two nights in cold AC. It was probably a combination of these different factors that gave me the cold.
I apologized and lied down while they were having worship. I didn't really get a chance to sleep, but it was better than staying up.
After Jeff finished sharing, we excused ourselves and made our way back to Kampong Chnong.
We stopped by a shop to get some noodle soup. We had left so early that we did not have an opportunity to get breakfast. I ordered pork noodle soup and was surprised to get pig intestines and pig liver.
Normally, I probably wouldn't have issue eating these, but being in Cambodia and being sick, I thought it was the better decision to pass. Jeff offered me his beef and beef balls even if I didn't accept. I didn't eat the beef because it looked a little more raw than I would have liked. But I ate the beef ball with glee. After eating, I felt a little better.
We went to drop Lian off at his house. On the way, we ran in to Gentoo and Sun Howee. It was very coincidental that they had just arrived at Gentoo's house. Gentoo had invited me to visit her sometime. I would have been glad to stay, had I not been sick.
It was really interesting during those few minutes. While we were talking, all the neighbors heard us and came out to see the foreigners talking to one of the girls. And even more surprised when they saw it was a Chinese person speaking English with a little bit of Khmer thrown in. We bid Gentoo farewell and went back to the hotel.
We got back to the hotel and I hit the shower, popped some Tylenol, and downed some hot water. We stayed up briefly, watching TV before I decided to sleep. Even though I was out for almost 3 hours, it wasn't good or restful sleep. I kept drifting in and out and getting really hot.
Jeff left to go to Patrick's house. I would have liked to go and just hang out there, but Soekna had invited us over for dinner. I rather rest up and skip Patrick's and go have dinner.Soekna Blesses Us with Dinner
Soekna was very kind to open his home to us. While they were still preparing the food, he showed us the house that he had designed and was building. It's really cool how they build their own houses out here.
Dinner was fantastic. After eating, I felt much better. Of all the food we've had, the best food has always been the homecooked. There's something about a homecooked meal that is always so comforting and invting.
During dinner, I got the opportunity to chat with Patrick a bit and get an idea of full-time missions. Cambodia is definately on my list of possible places to be. Phnong Penh and Cambodia in general is really begining to develop. There is a need for English teachers and programmers and English is such a powerful ministry tool.
It's kind of weird seeing how powerful knowing English is and how many doors it opens. It is a wonderful way to empower the people to break the cycle and get in to positions where they can really do good for the country and its people.Ringsey Teaches Dancing
On the way back to hotel, we picked up Ringsey. He was eager to stay with us and I was eager to learn some Khmer dance from the world champion dancer.
We wanted to wait for some music before we saw his dance, but we were so unfortunate that the TV did not show any. While we were waiting, I taught him how to play Texas Hold'em. I think I taught him too well, because when we played for well, he was playing ultra-aggressive; going all-in on bottom pair. Eventually, he got caught and lost.
We were tired of waiting for the TV to give us Khmer music, so he just began to teach me. Some of it is pretty simple, but combining everything makes it a little difficult. It's hard to believe that this is the dance that they do at the parties and clubs. But Ringsey insists that this is what I would dance with a pretty girl.
posted by w3y at
8/20/2006 11:42:00 PM
