Hey you guys. It's me again. FROM AMERICA. (What??) How is this possible?? you are wondering to yourselves. We thought she just existed in Cambodia. Well. So did I. But here I am: eating veggie corn dogs for breakfast and staying up reeeealll late watching lifetime movies with my sister. It's glorious.
So, for this post I thought I'd sum up my final days in Cambodia as one final look into that part of my life (for now). Inevitably, you will have to deal with hearing about my feelings and reflections about my experience as time goes on (sorry) and I am able to process it more fully. For now, I'll stick to the facts and the most immediately memorable moments.
Library Project
As a final summation of my library project, I thought I'd share this very special picture, taken on one of my last days of working in the library.
So, for this post I thought I'd sum up my final days in Cambodia as one final look into that part of my life (for now). Inevitably, you will have to deal with hearing about my feelings and reflections about my experience as time goes on (sorry) and I am able to process it more fully. For now, I'll stick to the facts and the most immediately memorable moments.
Library Project
As a final summation of my library project, I thought I'd share this very special picture, taken on one of my last days of working in the library.
Nothing says "reading" like a soccer ball in a bowl.
In fact, the library project did end on a very good note. The students had ample use of the library every day of the final month of my service, and as I've mentioned before- the hope is that the new volunteer whose placed at my site will take over the project. Time will tell.
My librarian and I also ended with a positive vibe between us. Remember how he shot down every good idea I had in the beginning? Remember how he was the biggest naysayer? Remember how is name was (and is) "No"? Well, we made it and I think the two of us even managed to retain the slightest scrap of respect for each other in the end. A big thanks to all of you whose donations made this project possible. It would never have had a chance to succeed without your help!
... Next up on our journey through my last days: Final Visit to my Market
Of course before I could go I had to say goodbye to the people who feed me (second to my host mom), namely my fruit lady- Ee Bo- and Ohn.
I stopped by to see my fruit lady first. She's so happy! Bo gave me lots of free fruit over my two years in Cambodia, always making sure to throw in a couple of extra rambutan or sapodilla despite my protests.
Next, I went and saw Ohn. She asked me if I wanted an iced coffee and knowing this could be one of the last sickly sweet, tooth rotting, disgustingly delicious ones of these I could get, I said yes and we made our way over to the new coffee shop, owned by this shirtless guy:
This really funny moment ensued, which I will just narrate as it goes along. All you need to know is the shirtless guy is trying to get Ohn to get closer to him cause he wants it to look like they're engaged (which, he seems to think they are).
Shirtless guy: Do we look in love? Ohn: ...
Shirtless guy: Come on, baby... Ohn: OMG
Next up is family. I spent a good amount of time with my host family in my final days, hanging out around the kitchen table talking when the power would go out (which was about 5-6 hours every day towards the end of my service) or laying on grays, wooden beds inside the house- me sprawled out and fanning myself in vain as Tona, the older of my host mom's grandkids, periodically opened the refrigerator to peer in and take in some of the residual cold.
Deck of cards. Cell phone. Empty metal box. Leah's beanie baby. Who needs anything else?
This became one of Banya's favorite toys. Right below the water bucket and the name card for the coffee I drink with the elephant logo.
And what do we have heeeeerre...
This picture makes me really happy. Tona (front) liked me approximately three times throughout my service, usually only when it involved me giving him Oreos or toys. This was one of those rare occasions in which I didn't have to bribe him to give me a smile.
Safety first.
That concludes my time in Cambodia (for now!). We are now entering into layover territory in Seoul, where I spent nine hours on my way back to America. My flight got in to Seoul at 7:00 AM, having left Cambodia at midnight. What do you think the first thing on my mind was when I got there? I'll give you three guesses.
If you said exercising, you were wrong. If you said food, you were right. I ran around the massive Incheon airport and stopped at the first Dunkin' Donuts I found, devouring a kimchi burrito (recommendation courtesy of Garrett), and a mango cream-filled donut, along with a large iced Americano. That done, I found my way OUT of the massive airport, and searched around for public transport into Seoul. I'd put my stuff in a locker for the day so I'd be burdenless for 'splorin. Found a bus for $10 and made my way into Seoul, periodically taking in the scenery and napping from a donut- induced coma.
Around 10:00 AM, I got dropped off at Gyeongbokgung palace. This place is beautiful. And huge. I don't really know any of the history and don't feel like looking it up (sorry), but if you want to, you should read about it! And even better, go see it!
When I first got there, a changing of the guards ceremony was going on. Click here to see a video. Skip to 0:45 if you don't want to wait for them to get closer.
Next it started pouring really badly so I got stuck under this portico with this nice lady from Brazil named Paola.
As it turned out, Paola didn't have an agenda like me, so we decided to team up and take on the little bit of Seoul we could see before I had to head back to the airport together. We walked around in the rain and window shopped, stopping to eat at a tea shop at one point.
Paola let me share her umbrella. I swear, who lives in Cambodia for two years and doesn't learn to bring a rain jacket?? (this girl, apparently)
At about 1:30 PM I found a bus back to the airport (actually called an "airport limousine," although it is very clearly a public bus), and arrived with ample time to catch up on some e-mails and wander around until I found the FREE SHOWERS available to anyone in the Seoul airport with a longish layover.
I will refrain from posting pictures (I did take them, let's be honest), but suffice it to say that I was amazed and felt so refreshed and ready for my fifteen hour flight and just loved everybody. So, thanks Incheon.
I will leave you with a final picture (for now!) from Cambodia, and the first picture I took upon my reentrance in the Dallas airport.
Final image of Cambodia. I will never understand these shoes, but I will also never fail to be amazed and impressed by them when I see this picture.
America!!
That's all for now. I've got leftover Mexican food in the fridge and an entire night to dedicate to Lifetime movies so if you'll excuse me...
