Well hello,
I have been in the Kingdom of Cambodia for almost two weeks,
and boy is it different than Thailand and Nepal.
We are in Poipet,
dusty,
poor,
corrupt,
a smattering of random shops,
shanty slum houses,
and casinos.
Poipet is a town right on the border of Thailand, and gambling is illegal in Thailand, so when you cross the border are these mega-buildings for casinos, and the rest of the city is just shambles. Also, Poipet is a place where many, many Cambodian children get trafficked (smuggled across the border into Thailand for prostitution).
Cambodia is also, in a sense, a "new country", because in 1979, a rebel group called the Khmer Rouge did a mass genicide and killed millions of people out of paranoia and control. Anyone who was educated, a doctor, school teacher, even if you had glasses (because you looked smart), were killed because they might be a threat to the Khmer Rouge.
So now, when you walk the streets, there are no old people here. They died in the massacre.
80% of the population of Cambodia is under 35 years old.
So its a very different atmosphere here spiritually.... lots going on.
But in the midst of all this,
the people are still beautiful,
and the children still manage to have fun, like flying a kite out of a garbage bag they found.
It is ridiculously hot here,
and ridiculously humid!
There is no airconditioning for relief,
and we pretty much have wet, dripping faces, and our clothes soaked in our own sweat.
All the time! Yummy.
But Cambodia is still awesome.
It is the beginning of the rainy season, so around lunchtime everyday, there is a torrential downpour that deafens the ears and makes me stand in awe of how big God is.
Then everything that was dusty, now becomes sludgy mud, and we slip and slide our way back home.
We got caught in the downpour today, it monumentally soaked me through, but I loved it!
We were walking to the internet place, which is 1.5 km away, roughly a 25 minute walk. (There are no taxis in Poipet....you walk.)
We are staying with a cool Christian woman who lives here now, but she's from Australia.
She lives in a house with many rooms and many floors, so it accomdates our team of 9 well.
We eat delicious Cambodian food everyday.... every meal is my favorite meal! I've never experienced so many good flavours, consecutively!
For the last week and a half we have been working under CHO, Cambodian Hope Organization, a Christian non-profit that branches out to help all areas of society here.
We are working hard in the mornings digging an uber-long ditch for homes they are building to house rescued children from the trafficking industry.
This week we'll be helping in an HIV patient hospice. In the afternoons we chill with the families we've met in the slum communities around, and teach English at a nearby church. I really like the hands-on type of ministry we're doing here... its a different pace than Nepal, and really touching.
I still don't think I've grasped the depth of the poverty here, or how dire the corruption is and how poor the majority really is. One sweet lady we met yesterday, asked us to pray that God would provide for her and her 5 children... because sometimes she doesnt have rice to feed them.
What does one do with that reality?
We only have 12 days left, it has been amazing so far,
I am thankful for this place,
and how God is growing me, and softening my heart when I try to keep it shielded.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
One Night in Bangkok
Yesterday I was in Kathmandu, Nepal
Today I am in Bangkok, Thailand
Tomorrow I will be in Poipet, Cambodia.
We got in to Bangkok last night, and driving from the spectacular airport to the YWAM Thailand Base, I was having culture shock.
We were driving on freeways
with dotted lines on the roads
the electricity was still on at night!
People were using their turn signals!
the billboards were lighted,
and the highways were paved.
There was no garbage, no starving/dead dogs,
no car horns used!
It felt like we could be in a big American city.
So strange.
I'm having culture shock in Thailand.Today we spend in Bangkok and tomorrow we're taking a bus ride to Cambodia (about 4-ish hours).
The last days in Nepal were great, we had a SAFE car ride home from Pokhara, and we managed to pack our hiking backpacks closed (sit on them and do the zipper at the same time!), even with all our little things accumulated along the way.
I have sweet memories of Nepal, and much to look forward to in Cambodia.
But today we're going to experience Thailand (on a $7 budget) and all its hotness and humidity!
It is so hot here, the humidity hits you like a wall everytime you come out of somewhere air conditioned.
I'll make sure I eat some good cheap Thai food (lime, coconut, chili.... mmm...)
and maybe bartyr for something at the downtown market
and also listen to the song "One Night in Bangkok" by Murray Head, at least once today.
Thanks for all the comments and emails,
it is so good to hear from all of you.
Saying goodbye from an internet place with leather chairs, fast internet, a Thai rocker with a mullet passed out in his chair beside me, and air conditioning... all for 40 cents an hour.
This is so different than Nepal.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Pokhara
Hello again!
I am in the quaint city of Pokhara today, it's very beautiful and on a clear day (today) you can see the Annapurna Himalaya Mountain Range. It's a nice city by a lake, and is a stop away from trekking and the Annapurna Base Camp. Lake Tilicho (the highest lake in the world) is around here somewhere as well.
It took an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu to get here. It was probably one of the most exciting and eventful rides of my life.
So we got out of Kathmandu's crazy lunchtime traffic, and then we were held up by a communist rally. Hundreds of people on motorcycles with red bandanas waving red communist flags all riding in a big group in front of us. Nepal's government turned communist last year, but there has been a lot of communist stuff lately (especially because the prime minister stepped down from government last week!) going on.
Anyway, after about an hour of this, the communists got tired and took a rest on the side of the road. So we scooted past them, and then the sky turned a strange yellow-grey (like the heavens were turned on dimmer!) and gave everything an eerie greenish glow.
A storm was brewing, you could feel it in the air, and while we were in the calm-before-the-storm, our driver decided to drive extra fast before it started to rain.
All of a sudden it started. The wind picked up, trees were blowing, heavy rains and the sky was so dark! It was only 4 in the afternoon, but it felt like it could have been 8 pm. We just kept going, rounding mountain corners, and plowing through. It started to hail, and it was all very exciting, but there was a point when the storm was in it's darkest moment that I became disturbingly aware of the potential for a terrible accident. I became aware of how vulnerable we were, and how much we had to trust that the driver knew what he was doing.
In the darkest, scariest moment, I asked God for assurance that we would be okay, and within a minute (no joke!) the sky started to lighten, and 20 minutes later it was bright and sunny again. Like nothing ever happened.
When we arrived at a nearby village, we heard that a person had died, and a huge cement truck had over-turned. Then, we saw some Nepali locals shoveling out their little metal carts that had been buried with rocks and gravel from a landslide during the storm. Yikes.
God truly is my protection! He still has big plans for my life, so no worries!
After witnessing the landslide aftermath, we had a cheery, beautiful, scenic drive to Pokhara. All the greenery and sweeping hills were vibrant green, and I was in awe the whole time. Nepal is so pretty. It takes a while to get places, but it sure is gorgeous along the way.
Today is our day off, we're staying in a hotel (a hotel!) for 2 days and we're enjoying the good Nepali food and shopping before we go hard again with ministry for the final 5 days that we are here. 5 days left! It's very peaceful here, laidback, and more touristy. We play "spot the white person" as we walk.
Thankful to be here, and loving Nepal once again.
Next time I write I'll be in Cambodia.
Here is a list of some of my favorite things about Nepal:
baby goats
colourful fabric shops
decorated buses (filled beyond capacity)
the tea
babies fastened to mother's backs with their shawl
the little old mountain ladies
thick strings of beads around the women's necks
red saris
grass brooms
men with Nepali hats
talking with old ladies who don't speak English
the bags of spices
woven baskets
copper water urns
the community well
the way a goat looks at you. (they're so funny.)
Much love!
Fia
I am in the quaint city of Pokhara today, it's very beautiful and on a clear day (today) you can see the Annapurna Himalaya Mountain Range. It's a nice city by a lake, and is a stop away from trekking and the Annapurna Base Camp. Lake Tilicho (the highest lake in the world) is around here somewhere as well.
It took an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu to get here. It was probably one of the most exciting and eventful rides of my life.
So we got out of Kathmandu's crazy lunchtime traffic, and then we were held up by a communist rally. Hundreds of people on motorcycles with red bandanas waving red communist flags all riding in a big group in front of us. Nepal's government turned communist last year, but there has been a lot of communist stuff lately (especially because the prime minister stepped down from government last week!) going on.
Anyway, after about an hour of this, the communists got tired and took a rest on the side of the road. So we scooted past them, and then the sky turned a strange yellow-grey (like the heavens were turned on dimmer!) and gave everything an eerie greenish glow.
A storm was brewing, you could feel it in the air, and while we were in the calm-before-the-storm, our driver decided to drive extra fast before it started to rain.
All of a sudden it started. The wind picked up, trees were blowing, heavy rains and the sky was so dark! It was only 4 in the afternoon, but it felt like it could have been 8 pm. We just kept going, rounding mountain corners, and plowing through. It started to hail, and it was all very exciting, but there was a point when the storm was in it's darkest moment that I became disturbingly aware of the potential for a terrible accident. I became aware of how vulnerable we were, and how much we had to trust that the driver knew what he was doing.
In the darkest, scariest moment, I asked God for assurance that we would be okay, and within a minute (no joke!) the sky started to lighten, and 20 minutes later it was bright and sunny again. Like nothing ever happened.
When we arrived at a nearby village, we heard that a person had died, and a huge cement truck had over-turned. Then, we saw some Nepali locals shoveling out their little metal carts that had been buried with rocks and gravel from a landslide during the storm. Yikes.
God truly is my protection! He still has big plans for my life, so no worries!
After witnessing the landslide aftermath, we had a cheery, beautiful, scenic drive to Pokhara. All the greenery and sweeping hills were vibrant green, and I was in awe the whole time. Nepal is so pretty. It takes a while to get places, but it sure is gorgeous along the way.
Today is our day off, we're staying in a hotel (a hotel!) for 2 days and we're enjoying the good Nepali food and shopping before we go hard again with ministry for the final 5 days that we are here. 5 days left! It's very peaceful here, laidback, and more touristy. We play "spot the white person" as we walk.
Thankful to be here, and loving Nepal once again.
Next time I write I'll be in Cambodia.
Here is a list of some of my favorite things about Nepal:
baby goats
colourful fabric shops
decorated buses (filled beyond capacity)
the tea
babies fastened to mother's backs with their shawl
the little old mountain ladies
thick strings of beads around the women's necks
red saris
grass brooms
men with Nepali hats
talking with old ladies who don't speak English
the bags of spices
woven baskets
copper water urns
the community well
the way a goat looks at you. (they're so funny.)
Much love!
Fia
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Nuwakot, Nepali-style
Home from the mountains, back in good ol' Kathmandu.
The sun is shining, the air is humid, and there's dust on my skin and pollution in my lungs. Ahhh.
I had a 5-day venture to the mountains this week. We were going to go to the Tibetan Border, but, in typical Nepali style, the road to get there was striking and therefore closed.
So, we went to a region called Nuwakot where we had people we knew.
It was amazing!
Totally different than the other mountain village experience, but equally as good.
It started out with a 5 hour ride to a village called Trishuli, we cooked dinner there and stayed the night in a heavily Hindu hotel. We went to a main street, and did some ministry there. I met this sweet little girl and her mom, it was really good.
Then the following day, we had to find a car to take us up another mountainside to the village where we were going to stay. Around noon, a huge monster of a truck, decked out with paint and tassels, rocks up to the hotel. It was a cattle truck, a big open iron box. We chucked all our backpacks, food, water, and ourselves back there, and up the road we went.
We had a mini sound system with us, and it was the most enjoyable ride I've ever taken!
To the tunes of U2, Moby, and John Mayer we crossed a flooded field, drove on steep cliff roads, and wound through terraced lush terrain. This "one hour" ride (we were told) grew to be 2 1/2 hours, but I honestly didn't want it to end! I had a very comfortable seat, propped up by sleeping bags and water jugs, and we could stand up at anytime, hold onto the iron bars above us and look out at the ever-changing scenery. We even saw monkeys!
At one point, we had to all jump out of the truck while it drove under some low power lines, and then about 1 minute later the radiator broke and our car ride was finished. We had not yet reached the village, and had to now carry everything we had by foot. The village was only "10 minutes" hike away.... but that 10 minutes came and went 3 times, and half an hour later we staggered upon the church we were staying at, and were greeted with a "Jai-ma-see" and a sprig of flower.
I was so exhausted, I was most likely dehydrated (probably 30 degrees plus humidity), and still recovering my full strength from the parasite. My nice Swiss leader offered to carry my pack for the last half, for which I am extremely grateful.
We slept in the sweet little one-room church on woven grass mats, and we couldn't be happier. The view was once again stunning, and looked quite Canadian. Lots of birch-looking trees.
I also had the best shower of my life.... a drip of a tap embedded into a cement wall, but I was so in need of one that it just hit the spot.
In the days we went to surrounding houses and danced for them and shared about God's love.
One afternoon we hiked the mountain behind us, (which we were told was "20 minutes" hike, but by now we learned to at least double that estimate) and when we were about 2/3 up we had a time of worship and looked on at the beauty around us. It was really a nice time, much needed for me, and I got to talk some things out with God that had been on my heart. Then, a small group of us went to the very top (took another 30 minutes), and boy am I glad I did!
We met up with these two little old mountain ladies, who would holler to each other in their creaky voices across the slopes. Who knew what they were saying, perhaps the village gossip, or maybe their goat stories.
They would find a little rock and just perch there, waiting for the day to pass and their goats to graze among the bushes.
The very top of the mountain was so steep it was scary if you looked down. We got great pictures, the lighting was beautiful and a mist nestled nicely in between the peaks. Behind one of the mountains directly infront of us... was China!
We cooked dinner over an open fire every night, and one night we had a classic downpour.
Just as we finished dinner, it came. Instantly. Within seconds the sound was deafening as huge droplets and hail hurtled down on the tin roof above us! The girls danced in the rain; part fun, part to "wash" their sweaty punjabis they had on.
I love the rain.
It reminds me of home.
Oh Manitoba summers....
I love prairie storms.
And I got to have one in the mountain valleys of Nepal!
That night we fell asleep to thunder rolls and the loud pit-pat of a good summer storm.
The following day was so good, we got all the community together, and at night we watched the Jesus film. 25 people got saved, including a teenage girl I had talked to at her home the day before! It was a very, very good night.
The next day we ventured back, this time we had the opportunity of sitting ON TOP of the cattle truck, and riding down that way. Ana and I jumped at the chance. That 2 1/2 hour ride became my favorite experience thus far.
All in all, an amazing time,
I'm completely healed from the parasite,
feeling well, and thankful to be back in old faithful Kathmandu. In all its craziness.
Much Love,
Fia
The sun is shining, the air is humid, and there's dust on my skin and pollution in my lungs. Ahhh.
I had a 5-day venture to the mountains this week. We were going to go to the Tibetan Border, but, in typical Nepali style, the road to get there was striking and therefore closed.
So, we went to a region called Nuwakot where we had people we knew.
It was amazing!
Totally different than the other mountain village experience, but equally as good.
It started out with a 5 hour ride to a village called Trishuli, we cooked dinner there and stayed the night in a heavily Hindu hotel. We went to a main street, and did some ministry there. I met this sweet little girl and her mom, it was really good.
Then the following day, we had to find a car to take us up another mountainside to the village where we were going to stay. Around noon, a huge monster of a truck, decked out with paint and tassels, rocks up to the hotel. It was a cattle truck, a big open iron box. We chucked all our backpacks, food, water, and ourselves back there, and up the road we went.
We had a mini sound system with us, and it was the most enjoyable ride I've ever taken!
To the tunes of U2, Moby, and John Mayer we crossed a flooded field, drove on steep cliff roads, and wound through terraced lush terrain. This "one hour" ride (we were told) grew to be 2 1/2 hours, but I honestly didn't want it to end! I had a very comfortable seat, propped up by sleeping bags and water jugs, and we could stand up at anytime, hold onto the iron bars above us and look out at the ever-changing scenery. We even saw monkeys!
At one point, we had to all jump out of the truck while it drove under some low power lines, and then about 1 minute later the radiator broke and our car ride was finished. We had not yet reached the village, and had to now carry everything we had by foot. The village was only "10 minutes" hike away.... but that 10 minutes came and went 3 times, and half an hour later we staggered upon the church we were staying at, and were greeted with a "Jai-ma-see" and a sprig of flower.
I was so exhausted, I was most likely dehydrated (probably 30 degrees plus humidity), and still recovering my full strength from the parasite. My nice Swiss leader offered to carry my pack for the last half, for which I am extremely grateful.
We slept in the sweet little one-room church on woven grass mats, and we couldn't be happier. The view was once again stunning, and looked quite Canadian. Lots of birch-looking trees.
I also had the best shower of my life.... a drip of a tap embedded into a cement wall, but I was so in need of one that it just hit the spot.
In the days we went to surrounding houses and danced for them and shared about God's love.
One afternoon we hiked the mountain behind us, (which we were told was "20 minutes" hike, but by now we learned to at least double that estimate) and when we were about 2/3 up we had a time of worship and looked on at the beauty around us. It was really a nice time, much needed for me, and I got to talk some things out with God that had been on my heart. Then, a small group of us went to the very top (took another 30 minutes), and boy am I glad I did!
We met up with these two little old mountain ladies, who would holler to each other in their creaky voices across the slopes. Who knew what they were saying, perhaps the village gossip, or maybe their goat stories.
They would find a little rock and just perch there, waiting for the day to pass and their goats to graze among the bushes.
The very top of the mountain was so steep it was scary if you looked down. We got great pictures, the lighting was beautiful and a mist nestled nicely in between the peaks. Behind one of the mountains directly infront of us... was China!
We cooked dinner over an open fire every night, and one night we had a classic downpour.
Just as we finished dinner, it came. Instantly. Within seconds the sound was deafening as huge droplets and hail hurtled down on the tin roof above us! The girls danced in the rain; part fun, part to "wash" their sweaty punjabis they had on.
I love the rain.
It reminds me of home.
Oh Manitoba summers....
I love prairie storms.
And I got to have one in the mountain valleys of Nepal!
That night we fell asleep to thunder rolls and the loud pit-pat of a good summer storm.
The following day was so good, we got all the community together, and at night we watched the Jesus film. 25 people got saved, including a teenage girl I had talked to at her home the day before! It was a very, very good night.
The next day we ventured back, this time we had the opportunity of sitting ON TOP of the cattle truck, and riding down that way. Ana and I jumped at the chance. That 2 1/2 hour ride became my favorite experience thus far.
All in all, an amazing time,
I'm completely healed from the parasite,
feeling well, and thankful to be back in old faithful Kathmandu. In all its craziness.
Much Love,
Fia
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