Mozzeenet

Had a good few days off - a couple of times I was at a bit of a loose end because the city closes down - still people around but much quieter. Lots of things not open and no TV of course!!

Had a great day on Tuesday. I went with Theavy, a friend from work, and her boyfriend, Dinaa, and 2 other of her friends to Tonle Bati. It is about 35km south-west in Takeo Province.

We saw ancient ruins there which have Buddhist altars and statues. There were lots of people there due to the holiday. We lit some incense. The temple was built by King Jayavarman II who was pretty big round here during the Angkor Empire. Some detailed stone carvings which were interesting.

Dinaa was telling me about robberies of the precious artefacts - there is lots of money to be made, selling them in Thailand. Some of the pieces have been secured in the museum in Phnom Penh.

After we saw the ruins, we spent the day on a woven hut built out over the Tonle River. Very relaxing…we basically ate lots of fruit all day and chicken and fish. Had fun trying to learn some more Khmer.

You walk out to the hut on a thin wooden pole. Some people were swimming and floating in rubber tyres. I didn’t venture in though.

Toilets consisted of a shower receptacle and of course the big trough at the back with the container for pouring water after you’re done. 500 riels for the experience (10 cents US).

The road was really muddy because it had rained in the morning. Saw heaps of muddy people on motos on the way back - we were in the luxury of a car (Dinaa’s).

Saw a few motos tip over in the mud with the driver and all their cargo - saw one with an enormous mound of vegetables. It’s amazing what they carry on motos here. Sometimes you see the driver squashed right up to the front of the bike with his back bent backwards and a whole tonne of stuff behind him - people carrying sheets of glass, 3 babies, even saw a pig the other day!

On Wednesday morning, Theavy took me to the pagoda at the end of our street, Wat Toul Tom Poung. Heaps of people there for Khmer New Year. We went in and gave some fruit and food to the monks. They bless it then we went out and put a bag of rice on a big mound - symbolises something and dirt in another mound (covers up any problems you’ve had that year). Then we gave some money for the temple (monk’s gold is what it’s called apparently).

After that, we burnt some incense and put some flowers in front of a big altar then went to the temple. A monk there splashed us with holy water and we made some more wishes.

There were children looking after the shoes outside the temple and hall. You give 100-300 riels (5 cents) to the children, beggars and for various others things.

I enjoyed it - a pretty typical religious ceremony.

The big Buddha statue had flashing neon lights around him!

Been out the last few nights for dinner - we went to Indian last night - great and good for a bit of variety and had a drink at a bar called Talkin to a Stranger on Thursday night. Really friendly atmosphere, run by an Australian. Met someone Sonia works with there who was interesting. She was a Youth Ambassador before.

Today I had a successful market trip - usually it is a nightmare - so hot and frenetic but today there weren’t many people (probably still away). I managed to get a towel, new cover for my mobile because a pen leaked on the other one, some stationery and lots of fruit and veges. I’ve decided a good approach is to know exactly what you want and if you see what you want, buy it. The concept of shopping around doesn’t work at the market.

Hean, my moto driver has been away for a week for Khmer New Year. Feel lost - it’s so good having a reliable driver.

Ruth e xx
Miss Phnomer in Cambodia