I'm currently sitting in Taipei airport, 1/3 of my way through my journey back to Canada. Words cannot describe how much I will miss Cambodia. The people, culture, food, atmosphere, everything. The country captivated my heart and I know I will be back as soon as I can (and maybe for good).
This summer has changed me in so many ways. I don't feel like the same person I was when I left 11 weeks ago. Part due to seeing a developing country, but also in part due to being so impacted by so many wonderful people. I've met and befriended people from around the world; I've had experiences that will never be forgotten.
I'm so upset this summer is coming to an end, but at least I know I have somewhere to go back to and that will always feel like home.
Sunday 18 August 2013
Wednesday 14 August 2013
Last Days at Anjali & Thailand
Last Thursday was potentially the hardest day I've had to endure in my entire life. I said goodbye to my students at Anjali house who, over the past several weeks, have taught me more about life then I ever thought possible. I hope my students learned as much from me as I have from them.
It's easy to forget how easy we have it in the west until you teach in a school where almost every student comes from a family that makes less than $1/day. Ideally I'd like to work for Anjali one day, if they'd take me of course, but I can guarantee they have not seen the last of me. Those students will continually be my pride and joy; their infectious smiles will stay in my mind for quite awhile.
Once I finished at Anjali I went and met up with some fellow volunteers in Thailand. After spending a day in Bangkok with my fellow Eastern European volunteer, I headed to the island of Koh Chang for a reunion with my roommate. I sincerely don't think I'm cut out for island life. As touristy as Koh Chang was, I still didn't find it too enjoyable. Plus I was rented a faulty moto and almost crashed several times.
After staying on Koh Chang for a couple days we decided to move back to Bangkok, which is where I sit until I fly home on Sunday. This city is unlike anything I expected from Southeast Asia. I feel like I'm back in North America, not Asia. The contrast of the poverty in Cambodia versus Thailand is ever apparent and somewhat hard to come to terms with.
Bangkok itself is also hard to come to terms with. The amount of prostitution I have seen in the past couple days is so off-putting. I understand that's how it works in this part of the world, but finally seeing it for myself is another eye-opener. It is so astronomically uncomfortable, and yet it's the norm here. Sad life, but that's how it is.
Three and a half more days left in Asia before I head home. It's a bittersweet notion, but I have the most fantastic memories of my 11 smiling Anjali students to keep me going once Canadian culture hits me again.
It's easy to forget how easy we have it in the west until you teach in a school where almost every student comes from a family that makes less than $1/day. Ideally I'd like to work for Anjali one day, if they'd take me of course, but I can guarantee they have not seen the last of me. Those students will continually be my pride and joy; their infectious smiles will stay in my mind for quite awhile.
Once I finished at Anjali I went and met up with some fellow volunteers in Thailand. After spending a day in Bangkok with my fellow Eastern European volunteer, I headed to the island of Koh Chang for a reunion with my roommate. I sincerely don't think I'm cut out for island life. As touristy as Koh Chang was, I still didn't find it too enjoyable. Plus I was rented a faulty moto and almost crashed several times.
After staying on Koh Chang for a couple days we decided to move back to Bangkok, which is where I sit until I fly home on Sunday. This city is unlike anything I expected from Southeast Asia. I feel like I'm back in North America, not Asia. The contrast of the poverty in Cambodia versus Thailand is ever apparent and somewhat hard to come to terms with.
Bangkok itself is also hard to come to terms with. The amount of prostitution I have seen in the past couple days is so off-putting. I understand that's how it works in this part of the world, but finally seeing it for myself is another eye-opener. It is so astronomically uncomfortable, and yet it's the norm here. Sad life, but that's how it is.
Three and a half more days left in Asia before I head home. It's a bittersweet notion, but I have the most fantastic memories of my 11 smiling Anjali students to keep me going once Canadian culture hits me again.
Sunday 4 August 2013
Weekend Excursions
This past weekend a couple of us decided to venture out to Anlong Veng, aka the last Khmer Rouge stronghold during the war. To this day many of the affluent people in the community and/or politicians have descended from former Khmer Rouge officials.
Anlong Veng is a dusty little town situated very close to the Thai border. All it really has going for it are sights relevant to the Khmer Rouge, ie. Pol Pot's house & grave, Ta Mok's house & grave, etc. Citizens seemed a little confused to see white people wandering around the town.
We really only spent time seeing Ta Mok's house as everything seemed to kind of blend together and look the same.
After spending time in Anlong Veng we ventured to the hometown of our Khmer staff member. This was an extremely exciting experience for me as it gave me a chance to see what the real Cambodia is like, and it doesn't even come close to comparing to Siem Reap. The poverty was ever apparent, but so was the happiness. The experience was one that I will definitely remember from my trip and I hope I can experience something else like it before I head home.
Anlong Veng is a dusty little town situated very close to the Thai border. All it really has going for it are sights relevant to the Khmer Rouge, ie. Pol Pot's house & grave, Ta Mok's house & grave, etc. Citizens seemed a little confused to see white people wandering around the town.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)