Friday night through Sunday was filled with really fun Cambodian traditions and relaxation!! Friday night a big group of us went to take "glamor shots." We were dressed in authentic Cambodian clothes, and had our make-up and hair done too. It was really a funny experience.
Saturday morning we were invited to Vibol's (our Tuk Tuk driver) daughter's dance recital at the Cambodian Christian Arts Ministry. It was authentic Khmer dancing and music with a touch of adorable preschoolers, it was beautiful. I was really thankful we were able to go and share in this experience. Vibol was such a proud dad :)
After the recital we left for Kep, which is about a 3 hour drive to the beach. Our bus driver (for lack of really knowing lets just call him Seth) was quite the experience. Before we were even on the road to Kep we got lost going back to our house and that was just the start of it. Three hours later, after experiencing some CRAZY driving and constant, unneeded honking, and some Avril Lavigne we made it safely to our hotel, Vanna Hills. Ji Hae's friend, Ling, came to meet up with us and "Oh my stars" she is fantastic!!
Ling has an amazing story. She was in her early 20's, married, with 2 children when the Khmer Rouge hit. Her husband, both her sons, and most of her family were killed during this time. Skin and bones she survived, went to California and remarried a French man and restarted her life. At a refugee camp she was able to find Jesus which gave her such hope and peace. In 1991, she moved back to Cambodia where she lives in the most beautiful house I have ever seen; Bonnie described it as a little piece of heaven. Ling, so cute, cracked me up! She said, "I survived the Khmer Rouge, now menopause!! WHY THIS?!" haha. She took us to a great seafood restaurant where I got chicken :) and then we walked around Kep and the national park. Kep is absolutely beautiful with fresh, cooler, air, friendly faces, and STARS. It was so nice to get away from the crazy city.
Sunday we were going to travel to Bokor Mountain but first breakfast! At breakfast we met on of Ling's neighbors, Andi. Andi has lived in Cambodia for about three years now and just recently began to foster 6 kids under the age of 18, as well as her own 7 year old daughter. Her story really tugged on my heart and I am so thankful for people like Andi who are willing to give completely of themselves!
We traveled up the winding roads of Bokor Mountain, of course "Seth" kept us on our toes the whole ride, and it was really pretty. The mountain was really random with a giant statue of Buddha at the top, old run down churches, and a mega resort all in one. It was something to see so I'm glad we made the trip. The rest of the day consisted of lunch, ice cream (of course) and another crazy ride home. There was an accident which turned into quite the delay. Women were grabbing their purses and walking haha and this only made "Seth" more antsy. We spent the rest of the car ride passing vehicles that were also trying to pass vehicles, playing chicken with oncoming traffic, and a blinker that was left on the entire way home because really it was only a matter of moments before we passed something new. Home safe!
"Have low expectations, high hope, and trust, trust, trust!" -Ling
Wow is all I can say, Katrina! I love all the different experiences that you are having...and getting to see different locations and such! I love when you share about specific people...I love how you have fallen in love with them all! AND I love the quote at the end of this day! Love you!
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