Cambodia! Day 5--Kampong Cham and Day 6--Rest at home

We got up and going early again. We rented at 15-passenger van to drive us all out to the province Kampong Cham. Kim's friend in their ward, Lyly, was born and raised there. She's married to an American guy, and she let us come and see her home and meet her parents and brother. So Lyly and her husband Blake were with us, as well as another American couple from their ward who also happened to be named Kenny and Lindsay! haha we had a good laugh at the coincidence. Before leaving we stopped at the cute French bakery right next to their apartment complex called "Comme la Maison" and got some pastries for the road. It wasn't long before we found out there were swarms of red ants in the back of the van! Yikes. Only Ty and and Sam were brave enough to sit in the back seat after that :). 

A cool part of getting out to the province is that we had to drive across this bamboo bridge. Every year it washes away during the rainy season, and every year they rebuild it. It sounds and looks really flimsy, but bamboo is incredibly strong even though it's hollow inside. So it was a little nerve-wracking driving all the way across, but we made it safely there and back. :) On the way back we even stopped and all got out to inspect the bridge more up close. 

It was really neat to be out there and see their way of life. Their little house, raised on stilts where they raised 6 children! They grow their own rice and some greens in their garden. They have several banana, mango, and papaya trees. They draw their water out of a well, "shower" on the side of the house by dumping water on their heads. No A/C of any kind, of course. It was so different. But they are happy there, and that is what they know. Lyly is pregnant, and has been sick. Ironically, she feels better physically when she's at home. Even though it seems like the last place in the world I could get comfortable or find physical relief, for her it's still the comfort of home. It was a hot day with nowhere to go potty except a hole in the ground again, and by the time we got back home my ankles/calves were huge swollen. I've never had that problem in any of my pregnancies. But it happened several times on this trip! 

Lyly's mom cooked us all up a big, yummy meal which was so kind of them. We brought some ice, soda, water, fruit, and bread to contribute and thank them. We all sat on the floor in the one main room they have and ate together. Lyly's parents actually ate before we came, I guess they are very shy and don't like to eat with other people. :)

On the way home we made a stop and walked around this big pagoda. I don't know what it was called, or anything about it, but it was still fun to see. Lots more monkeys in the trees!

When we got home we ordered some dinner from the same french place downstairs and didn't end up eating till after 8! It was a very memorable day though, and I loved the new perspective it gave me. For now I think the kids' favorite part was petting the cow, climbing the bamboo, and swinging in the hammock. But maybe as they get older they will recognize how blessed we are to lead lives of relative luxury.

The side of the house where they shower

Looking down the well

The couple (white shirt and red shirt) is Lindsay and Kenny. Funny huh?

This home on the other side of the gate is where many monks live, hence the bright orange robes.

Day 6 was Sunday, Feb. 20th: Thank goodness for the Sabbath day, a day of rest. We all needed a little relaxing. We went to church at 10. It was really fun to go and see their branch and meet some new people. Kenny got to ride with Caleb on his moto to church. After church we had a little lunch and nap. Kim made a delicious big dinner and their home teachers came over for dinner and a lesson. That included the old Branch President, a really neat man. Also a french guy who's engaged to a Cambodian girl. She came with him, and it was so interesting for me to see them together. Neither of them speak each other's languages, and they both are very limited in their English. I'm not sure how they communicate and make it work, as that seems to be such a huge/essential part of marriage. But they're engaged and seem very happy so apparently it works for them. Anyway it was a great night and good food, good company.