Once we could get out of our place, the other 3 wonderful girls came over to our place to eat some irish/khmer breakfast. We had everything on the table from curry to omelets. And we sure can't forget about those Bloody Mary's. After we were done with our breakfast (that totaled to around 10 dollars for everyone), we took our first steps out of those scary open doors leading to the unknown world. We walked across the street to check out the national museum, but were quickly halted by our first Tuk-Tuk driver. The Tuk-Tuk is basically a rickshaw with a variety of different colors seats and decorations. He offered us a ride to S-21, the detention center during the regime of the Khmer Rouge. We took his offer and headed on our first trip through the city with wide eyes and open ears. We were ready to embrace this place.
S-21 is utterly depressing. It is a school converted into prison in which many people were tortured, interrogated, and taken from to the "killing fields" to be executed. We watched a movie of a personal account of two people in the prison and walked around saddened by the pictures and all of the material confiscated from the prison after the Khmer Rouge was taken over. This includes pictures of everyone that went into the prison, beds they were tied to, shackle bars that binded their feet together, and a multitude of different torture devices. We left with much more respect for the people of Cambodia due to the magnitude of suffering these people felt and the fight they have put up to control their own country.
As we left S-21, we got our first taste of Monsoon season! It started out with sporadic large rain drops which slowly became closer and closer to one another over time until it was a torrential down pour. This is no Oklahoma weather either. This is the most intense rain I have ever seen. And of course, what else to do but to stand in it and enjoy the cool wet rain on this hot humid day. We jumped in the Tuk-Tuk and headed back to the National Museum by our hotel. It was full of artifacts and statues that represent the Buddhist culture of Cambodia. Ruchi, familiar with Hinduism, was very informative on the statues and what they represented. The attention to detail was outstanding on many of the pieces in the museum. Unfortunately, no cameras were allowed inside, so I guess that means you will just have to come visit on your own.
After this, our confused bodies were ready for a nap. This resulted in all of us sleeping too long and Meghan and I droggily walking down to the bar to have a beer and dinner (best beef stew ever) to only go back up and fall asleep again. This time we managed to sleep in until 6 and woke up refreshed and ready to start our 2nd day in this wonderful little city.
So far, every meal has been amazing. From noodle dishes to curries to irish stew...they have been the best meals I have ever had in my life. You sit down at every restaurant and experience a meal with good company and no rush. The food takes a bit because it is fresh and prepared on the spot and the check is given whenever you decide that you are ready to leave. I wish that other places could adapt these norms...:)
Day 2 began with some breakfast on the river. Our hotel is in walking distance to the Mekong River, both a spot to find some fellow foreigners and this thing they call happy pizza (look it up if you are interested...:) ). We grabbed another Tuk-Tuk and went to the Russian Market. This is the epicenter of shopping. Whatever you want they have it. Real Northface backpacks for 5 dollars, Banana Republic and Gap clothes, Chuck and Nike shoes...you name it, they probably make it and sell it for dirt cheap here. We walked around in the intense heat (especially inside considering you have about arms length from shop to shop filled with massive amount of clothes, jewelry, etc.) bargaining and buying. I spent a total of 8 dollars for a dress, a fan, a t-shirt, and a nice watch. It would take you 3 days to truly see everything in the Russian Market. One thing is for sure, we will be going back often.
We have found a liking of fruit vender's, especially the ones that sell coconuts. The coconuts are 2000 riel, the equivalent to 50 cents. They cut the top open and wa-la, fresh coconut water. Its amazing, along with the hairy Asian fruit and the pineapple. We have only begun this tour of Cambodian fruit.
After the Russian Market, we showered the sweat off and headed down for another fantastic meal. Some of the highlights of eating so far have been this restaurant with amazing mash potatoes, cheese filled crepes and garlic bread and a previous restaurant with Thai/Khmer food. The Thai/Khmer food place was an experience. We took off our shoes and sat down on bed of pillows, drank beer and ate amazing pad thai and stir fried morning glory's. Weird, I know, but AMAZING. We are falling more in love every minute.
After wrapping up dinner, we retired back to our hotel, only to find ourselves placed comfortably at the bar talking the night away with our new American and Australian friends. I don't know if we were comfortably placed due to the hospitality or the 1.25 dollar beer. All-in-all, we have began to feel comfortable enough in Phnom Pehn to walk places...even across busy streets. I know this might sound scary, but these people are really good at doing what I like to call the "Cambodian Weave" around pedestrians.
So far, my Saturday has been filled with relaxing moments in the other girls hotel room eagerly waiting our 1:30am bus ride to Sinhoukville...a beautiful beach south of Phnom Penh. If I haven't convinced you yet that this place is a place to go to, just wait til you see the pictures of the beach...spectacular.
LOVING your new posts my dear <3 So far it sounds like an awesome adventure!
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