Cambodia, day 5
Cambodia Day 5
Hey Guys!
If I wasn't clear before, basically Phnom Penh is around 105 degrees by noon. It's pretty sweltering, and sticky with humidity. Today we went to the Russian Market before work-- and good lord it was even hotter in there. It's an enclosed space, but still somewhat open-- the tarps over the booths still show sunlight. I was sweating so effing bad, that I almost sweated onto my silk scarves! I bought about 18 scarves for under $80. I know some people would have bargained for less, but I bought some really nice quality scarves, larger scarves and raw silk scarves. And besides, these merchants need my money more than I do. Serriously-- bargaining a $3 scarf donw to $1 is just unneccesary. And I'm positive I have one for everyone on my list. I was going to get earrings for everyone (girls obviously) but fashion can be so subjective to the person, so i thought scarves would be best. Who doesn't want a nice, soft colorful scarf?
I also bought 2 fans in preparation for my trip to Angkor Wat-- they're wood, one natural & red (pictured), and another in yellow. I tried to buy a portion of cobolt blue dupioni silk (7.8 meters worth)-- but she was charging me 3.5 a meter (a VERY good price, considering US prices) so it was around $27, but I just couldn't afford it. All I have left are $1 bills, and I still have another week's worth of tips to give. Sigh. I think Corinne and I will be going back to the Russian Market next week hopefully for longer.
Now that I think about it, I want that silk fabric so bad to make a Duvet for my comforter-- but I guess I really don't need it. It really turns into a competition when you get in there-- and I totally lost track of what i really needed. The only thing I don't have for my trip to Angkor Wat is a hat. The whole damn market had NO hats! I asked, and no one had 'em. As we drove away to the factory, literally 5 minutes after we left, I saw a stand full of hats-- but we were already late for work so I didn't even ask to stop. Of what I want... but don't really need are: A woven/rattan handbag, maybe a bracelet or set of earrings, look at cooking utensils, and a watch for Ben.
So last night was particularly funny. I went over to the Cashier at the Hotel to see if they could let me withdraw money-- a service they no longer offer I found out-- and as I was walking over there I was going down the stairs and the smallest lizard lost its grip and fell of the banister onto the stairs next to my feet. I freaked a little and the poor thing freaked out even more and scurried in circles until he got up the stairs. Poor thing must have died within seconds of getting away I scared him so bad. As I walked out near the pools to walk over to the front desks- the CRAZIEST bird call-- and I literally bent down a little and ran to the desk. It was NOT a mating call. Man, I was actually a little scared.
I got room service again last night... and watched National Geographic channel like always. I went to bed fairly early to get up early to go to the market. My nightlife is pretty boring here, but I don't mind at all. One of our partners from Hong Kong, Jenny has actually moved here to Cambodia-- and has offered to take me to the Intercontinental's Bar to see the band that plays there nightly. I think once I get a little bit more settled with the time change, and can stay up later-- I'll be all about it. Jenny actually live at the Intercontinental, as does Jack and Toto. It costs the same to live in a apartment here in Phnom Penh as it does to live in a 4-5 star hotel. I think Jenny chose wisely :]
I think the most important thing I've taken away from this trip is the importance of a laptop. I've always had desktop computers-- and having to borrow the one I'm typing on right now-- is quite a nuisence. I don't have all my regular files, or programs. I'm pretty frustrated that I can't even use this computer at the hotel because it doesn't have wifi-- and I can't use it on the plane because the battery life is like an hour. While not having computer access all the time is forcing me to see more of cambodian (if not cambodian tv)... I still feel really out of touch with life back home. My phone calls with Ben are rushed-- and I can't really afford the time to write more personal emails to people because I still need to work during these hours too. My MAC at home is over 8 years old (how crazy is it that it still is more up to date than a standard Dell?) and is ready to bite the dust anyday now. Ben's computer, despite being new-- doesn't support any of the software he needs, and as far as viruses are concerned it's pretty vulnerable because its a PC. Don't know how I'm going to afford it, but I'll have to get a new computer soon I guess.
Going back to food-- the keystone of life it seems here-- we went to a Northern Indian cuisine place called Shiva Shakti-- and I had Chicken Biryani (Bushra, thanks for the suggestion! it was tasty!)... Apparently Angelina Jolie frequents the place when she's in the city...however, I only got to take a photo of her picture with Billy Bob. Hope Brad doesn't get too bummed. I also had a banana lassie-- what a suprise! I've only had strawberry before. Almost neccessary with the heat!
Anyways... not much else to update on. Love to all of you!
LOTS of photos: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v158/quitwhining/Cambodia/
p.s. I've included photos that Peter took of kids in Cambodia at the market (All photos of people are by Peter Stolz, SF, CA)
p.p.s. that bike is technically called a "Cyclo"... a reverse rickshaw bike. How handy?!
p.p.p.s. All the photos of the flowers are from around the hotel-- for anyone who's curious about local flowers/plants
p.p.p.p.s. my favorite photo? All the people on the Moped or top of the Van.... and of course the kids.
Hey Guys!
If I wasn't clear before, basically Phnom Penh is around 105 degrees by noon. It's pretty sweltering, and sticky with humidity. Today we went to the Russian Market before work-- and good lord it was even hotter in there. It's an enclosed space, but still somewhat open-- the tarps over the booths still show sunlight. I was sweating so effing bad, that I almost sweated onto my silk scarves! I bought about 18 scarves for under $80. I know some people would have bargained for less, but I bought some really nice quality scarves, larger scarves and raw silk scarves. And besides, these merchants need my money more than I do. Serriously-- bargaining a $3 scarf donw to $1 is just unneccesary. And I'm positive I have one for everyone on my list. I was going to get earrings for everyone (girls obviously) but fashion can be so subjective to the person, so i thought scarves would be best. Who doesn't want a nice, soft colorful scarf?
I also bought 2 fans in preparation for my trip to Angkor Wat-- they're wood, one natural & red (pictured), and another in yellow. I tried to buy a portion of cobolt blue dupioni silk (7.8 meters worth)-- but she was charging me 3.5 a meter (a VERY good price, considering US prices) so it was around $27, but I just couldn't afford it. All I have left are $1 bills, and I still have another week's worth of tips to give. Sigh. I think Corinne and I will be going back to the Russian Market next week hopefully for longer.
Now that I think about it, I want that silk fabric so bad to make a Duvet for my comforter-- but I guess I really don't need it. It really turns into a competition when you get in there-- and I totally lost track of what i really needed. The only thing I don't have for my trip to Angkor Wat is a hat. The whole damn market had NO hats! I asked, and no one had 'em. As we drove away to the factory, literally 5 minutes after we left, I saw a stand full of hats-- but we were already late for work so I didn't even ask to stop. Of what I want... but don't really need are: A woven/rattan handbag, maybe a bracelet or set of earrings, look at cooking utensils, and a watch for Ben.
So last night was particularly funny. I went over to the Cashier at the Hotel to see if they could let me withdraw money-- a service they no longer offer I found out-- and as I was walking over there I was going down the stairs and the smallest lizard lost its grip and fell of the banister onto the stairs next to my feet. I freaked a little and the poor thing freaked out even more and scurried in circles until he got up the stairs. Poor thing must have died within seconds of getting away I scared him so bad. As I walked out near the pools to walk over to the front desks- the CRAZIEST bird call-- and I literally bent down a little and ran to the desk. It was NOT a mating call. Man, I was actually a little scared.
I got room service again last night... and watched National Geographic channel like always. I went to bed fairly early to get up early to go to the market. My nightlife is pretty boring here, but I don't mind at all. One of our partners from Hong Kong, Jenny has actually moved here to Cambodia-- and has offered to take me to the Intercontinental's Bar to see the band that plays there nightly. I think once I get a little bit more settled with the time change, and can stay up later-- I'll be all about it. Jenny actually live at the Intercontinental, as does Jack and Toto. It costs the same to live in a apartment here in Phnom Penh as it does to live in a 4-5 star hotel. I think Jenny chose wisely :]
I think the most important thing I've taken away from this trip is the importance of a laptop. I've always had desktop computers-- and having to borrow the one I'm typing on right now-- is quite a nuisence. I don't have all my regular files, or programs. I'm pretty frustrated that I can't even use this computer at the hotel because it doesn't have wifi-- and I can't use it on the plane because the battery life is like an hour. While not having computer access all the time is forcing me to see more of cambodian (if not cambodian tv)... I still feel really out of touch with life back home. My phone calls with Ben are rushed-- and I can't really afford the time to write more personal emails to people because I still need to work during these hours too. My MAC at home is over 8 years old (how crazy is it that it still is more up to date than a standard Dell?) and is ready to bite the dust anyday now. Ben's computer, despite being new-- doesn't support any of the software he needs, and as far as viruses are concerned it's pretty vulnerable because its a PC. Don't know how I'm going to afford it, but I'll have to get a new computer soon I guess.
Going back to food-- the keystone of life it seems here-- we went to a Northern Indian cuisine place called Shiva Shakti-- and I had Chicken Biryani (Bushra, thanks for the suggestion! it was tasty!)... Apparently Angelina Jolie frequents the place when she's in the city...however, I only got to take a photo of her picture with Billy Bob. Hope Brad doesn't get too bummed. I also had a banana lassie-- what a suprise! I've only had strawberry before. Almost neccessary with the heat!
Anyways... not much else to update on. Love to all of you!
LOTS of photos: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v158/quitwhining/Cambodia/
p.s. I've included photos that Peter took of kids in Cambodia at the market (All photos of people are by Peter Stolz, SF, CA)
p.p.s. that bike is technically called a "Cyclo"... a reverse rickshaw bike. How handy?!
p.p.p.s. All the photos of the flowers are from around the hotel-- for anyone who's curious about local flowers/plants
p.p.p.p.s. my favorite photo? All the people on the Moped or top of the Van.... and of course the kids.