My visit with Khon Orn: Entry 6

Today Khon told me that her and her husband were going to pray at a buddhist temple. She said that I could come if I would like, but she didn't want me feel uncomfortable. I told her that was very considerate, but I would go anyways so I can experience her culture. So, off we went.

The temple was very beautiful and elaborately designed. 

We went inside and Khon and her husband knelt down and prayed to a colorful goddess (god) statue.

I found the whole process very intriguing and interesting. Afterwards I asked Khon about it and she told me stories of Cambodian worship and religions. We went home and had an amazing dinner of  Cambodian grilled corn. It was so good that I asked Khon for the recipe. 

Here it is: Grilled corn recipe

My visit with Khon Orn: Entry 5

Here is the Cambodian flag

This morning I awoke to the  smell of something yummy cooking. I got out of bed and walked to the stove. Khon opened the front door and walked in. "Good morning," she said cheerfully. "I was just outside picking some vegetables to go in the amok." She told me that amok is a cambodian dish with cocoanut milk, tofu, vegetables and different spices all wrapped in a banana leaf. It smells delicious!

Here is Amok

After we ate our delicious breakfast, Khon told me that we were  going to go pick vegetables and lotuses from her garden and later sell them at the market. We headed out the door, and over to Khon's small garden. We picked for two whole hours, and I have to say, it was really hard work! I don't know how Khon can do that every day! 

This is a picture of Khon's garden with one of her sons in the background. Later we took all the vegetables and lotuses to the market on Khon's new motorbike. I was very proud because I had helped loan money to Khon so that she could buy the motorbike. At the market, I saw many differences between back home and here. Today Khon was very happy because she had sold all of her products. 
                      "What a happy way to start a visit," I thought.

My visit with Khon Orn: Entry 4

I step onto the small van that will take me to Khon's house. I look out the window and see fields of rice everywhere. It is enchanting to see the difference in scenery between Cambodia and California.
      I fall asleep for awhile, and before I know it, the driver is telling me that we are there. I thank him and step off. I walk up to Khon's house and I see a small lady open the front door. That must be Khon, I think.

                                                 


"Suosday," she says excitedly. I remember that 'suosday' means hello in Cambodian. She walks over to me and embraces me in a big hug. I see the lines of weariness and hard work hidden in her face. Her eyes reflect the many years of working in the fields and I can tell that she has struggled a lot. Even so, she is very friendly and makes me feel right at home. She introduces me to her  husband and tells me that her two children are at college right now. We walk inside her small house and she shows me around. She has two small beds and a stove. I ask where the bathroom is, and she tells that there is an outhouse outside. It interesting to me to see the difference in our lives. I am feeling pretty tired so Khon brings mew to one of the beds. I lay down and I let the warmth surround me.  "Good night," Khon says. "Good night, Khon," I say. 

My visit with Khon Orn: Entry 3

After a long flight, I finally reached the airport in Cambodia. I was feeling pretty hungry, so I decided to buy a snack. There was a small cafe inside the airport, but I saw that it only took Cambodian money (riel). Luckily, there was an small currency exchange nearby, and I was able to exchange my money for riel.


$1  = 4,049.00 (Riel)
$5  = 20,245.0
$10 = 40,490.0
$20 = 80,980.0
$100 = 404,900

My visit with Khon Orn: Entry 2

Flying from Santa Barbara to Cambodia is a really long flight, so while I was on the plane, I decided to learn a few phrases in Cambodian. Here is what I learned:


Hello - Suosday
Goodbye - Lea heuy
How are you? - Sok sabai chea tay? 
I'm fine - Knhum sok sabai chea tay
Yes - Baat (for man) Cha (for woman)
No - Otay
Thank you very much -  Akun Jahn
Sorry - Sohm Toh
Do you speak English? - Teu nak niyeay phea sar anglei tay?
My name is.... - Knum chhmua ...

My visit with Khon Orn: Entry 1

Today I am leaving Santa Barbara to visit Khon Orn. She lives in Cambodia. First I am flying to LAX, then to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  I will then take a van to Khon's house in Kampong Chnang Province.

Here is the plane ticket from Santa Barbara to Cambodia.