Today started with a bright and early 7:30am election parade for the CPP (the majority Cambodian People's Party).
There were easily hundreds of people on motorbikes wearing matching outfits. For the most part, people had a bit of an indifferent look on their face like they were doing a chore. A smattering of folks waved and smiled but it was probably more to pass the time than real dedication to their cause. After all, tourists are obviously not voters.
The church service at Khnar Tmei was entertaining as usual. What started as a small group grew steadily as slightly embarrassed folks ducked into the pews a few minutes late. No one seemed to mind and everyone has been there. Following the service we discussed a few project opportunities like improving their well, fixing the very rickety pews, and even getting some better garbage bins. We then learned that they were doing a rather successful microfinance program over the last couple years. One of our students studied finance and accounting, so they have meticulous record keeping and could rattle off statistics without referring to the documents. That might be a good thing to invest in.
After a lunch at the Mexican restaurant... Ok I'll stop there for a moment. Yes, we went to the one Mexican place called Viva. It's far from authentic but the flavors get incrementally better every year. It's as much for the novelty as the food.
Anyways, after lunch it was off to the shops. Pat and Deanna needed a very particular type of fabric. We searched in the regular markets and were unsuccessful (first photo below, our driver Mony in the foreground). Instead we visited a tailor and got what we needed (second photo, the tailor cutting the fabric and our driver Prem helping).
Tomorrow, picking up PCs, arranging classes at the teacher college, booking flights to Phnom Penh, and more!
There were easily hundreds of people on motorbikes wearing matching outfits. For the most part, people had a bit of an indifferent look on their face like they were doing a chore. A smattering of folks waved and smiled but it was probably more to pass the time than real dedication to their cause. After all, tourists are obviously not voters.
The church service at Khnar Tmei was entertaining as usual. What started as a small group grew steadily as slightly embarrassed folks ducked into the pews a few minutes late. No one seemed to mind and everyone has been there. Following the service we discussed a few project opportunities like improving their well, fixing the very rickety pews, and even getting some better garbage bins. We then learned that they were doing a rather successful microfinance program over the last couple years. One of our students studied finance and accounting, so they have meticulous record keeping and could rattle off statistics without referring to the documents. That might be a good thing to invest in.
After a lunch at the Mexican restaurant... Ok I'll stop there for a moment. Yes, we went to the one Mexican place called Viva. It's far from authentic but the flavors get incrementally better every year. It's as much for the novelty as the food.
Anyways, after lunch it was off to the shops. Pat and Deanna needed a very particular type of fabric. We searched in the regular markets and were unsuccessful (first photo below, our driver Mony in the foreground). Instead we visited a tailor and got what we needed (second photo, the tailor cutting the fabric and our driver Prem helping).
Tomorrow, picking up PCs, arranging classes at the teacher college, booking flights to Phnom Penh, and more!
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