So, last night arriving from the airport through backroads in the late evening, I was fooled into thinking Phnom Penh was a bit less hectic than Thailand. WRONG! The street my temporary hostel is on is quiet and quaint and the hosts are the kindest people I think I have ever met. But, the city overall is super busy and crowded. I can officially support the stereotype that Asians CANNOT drive. Yeesh. But, I am told that I will love Pursat, which is much more rural, remote, and quiet. Phew. I can't handle city-living for long. It has really put the notion of overpopulation in my face, impossible to ignore ... scarey.
There is a seemingly more distinct culture here and more modesty so far. Buddhism is more prominent I think. It has been getting dark around 6pm and then everything sort of shuts down and people go into evening relaxation mode ... I dig. I also very much dig the insistance upon shoelessness everywhere. Plus, delicious fruits! I had a paw-paw-esk commodity called 'milkfruit' today and tried jackfruit for the first time. It's like a banana/pineapple combo.
Riels are wierd to get accustomed to; $1 = $4,000 riels ... not used to paying 15,000 of anything for lunch. They do accept American dollars ... way easier on my brain, good knowledge for the future.
I have a welcome dinner tomorrow then one more night in Phnom Penh before heading to my permanent home-stay accomodation in Pursat. I will be living with a family of 6 women and three other interns will be living with the family as well; Nadia from Switzerland, Katherine from Australia (95% of the 15+ish volunteers at orientation today were Aussies) and some guy we have yet to meet.
Tomorrow should be good. Oh! And I just had the most amazing fish curry!! I am going to come home with lots of recipie ideas so, look out; My taste has taken a drastic turn of preference towards spicey.
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