But this ain't goodbye, this is just where love goes.
I'm back. I miss everything.
I mean finally, it's over. But really I wasn't expecting it to pass all that quickly either. Surprising or not, I actually didn't yearn for home one bit.
Albeit the 10 different types of lotion/ repellent we spam before leaving, the 20 mozzie bites on our arms and legs, the 30 species of bugs accompanying us to bed... I guess you don't really crave for comfort in the night time when you already feel it every minute everywhere.
Yeah, and before Cambodia I've never seen so many kids in a week. At one point I even thought this young mother was a single parent of 12 kids, but really, it's just her neighbours' kids. I mean apart from the times I used to go over to my grandma's to play with the kids or feed them, I've never really seen so many kids at once. And it's not a matter of playing with them or giving them stuff. The very fact that you're there makes them smile, and it makes you want to smile.
Simply put, everyone you smile to in Cambodia will smile back at you. I can't even give a number to the instances that the same will happen in Singapore. Smile at a random stranger on Orchard and you'll probably get wide and dodgy eyed responses, thinking something like "What is wrong with that......"
It's a pity. It's easy to say that you have to cherish what you have and be grateful. Why is it that the poorer the people are, the richer they seem to be?
It's not realistic to wish that they walk out of poverty someday soon. But it's no harm hoping that whatever it is they go through, these people will remain as happy people. We may have given them the physical things that can perhaps last for that long. But what they gave us probably will never wear out.
/Some people search for a fountain that promises forever young.
On a less personal note, thank you ISL 2010 team for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I know you know how to spell, but I just wanted to say that I appreciate every little teeny bit of effort anyone has put in, and for helping me so much along the way, and for helping me to help you! It's an understatement to say I'm glad that all of you had unforgettable takeaways from this trip. Let's go visit Auntie Esther and Theara and Peter together next time yaaaaa? (And go check on the condition of the well, the school and the kitchen too ;D) Thank you for being part of my unforgettable experience. ♥