The answer of course is yes. But you can only work so much without any play without going crazy? Right? So here it is...the wonderful Angkor Wat...and the saddening but beautiful Koh Kong...just in time for a much needed vacation...within a "workcation".
I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful and extraordinary it is to see something so historic and massive. Its walls are adorned from head to toe with stories of Hindu origin that could keep you looking for weeks on end. On the other hand, its beauty was clustered by the German construction company doing work on the front of the temple. Slightly upsetting to not get the picture that "everyone" must get at Angkor Wat, but still memorable either way. Bayon and Ta Prohm (the Tomb Raider Temple) were beautiful too, but both were hurried to be built and were not made with the same material and care of Angkor Wat which leaves most of their awe on the ground lying next to them. Angkor Wat stands tall with precision and diligence that you can feel as you walk through every door, up every stair, and look out every window (not to mention I believe that about anything down to the smallest stone has been taken by a tourist or two). On top of all of this, we received a blessing from an elder in the top tier of Angkor Wat. This came in hand with that nifty little red string bracelet we had been looking for since Phnom Penh, along with getting our fortune told by placing a book of cards on your head, thinking about something you really wanted, then placing a stick into the book. You then hand it over to the elder, and he tells you what it says. Mine said something along the lines that I would have a rough start...but it would be worth it in the end. As long as I am promised happiness in the future, I think I can handle a little roughness here and there. Hey...what kills us only makes us stronger right?
Angkor Wat behind the reflection pool
Bayon Temple
Ta Prohm Temple
Laura getting her future read
A floating village we visited, but I don't talk about...opps!
After our time in Siem Reap, and I am sure that I am missing so much due to inactivity on my part, we had to bus ride down to Phnom Penh and then proceeded to crowd into a 4 seater taxi to head over to Sreambril, Koh Kong. This was a mere 8 hour rest stop as it was late when we arrived and had to meet downstairs at 6 a.m. to head to a Quality Improvement Assessment at a health care clinic...that was another hour away. On the other hand, this place was in the middle of pure nowhere, built like we were at a safari full of statues of tigers, lions, and rabbits...and we couldn't see any farther than 2 feet in front of us because we arrivedin the middle of the night. To say the least, after Rebecca jumped from sleeping position from the bed next to me to my bed, and landed on the complete other side of me because of a strange bug noise...we were ready to get out of there...more traveling or not.
We then headed to another QI assessment, and at this point had grown weary of poor communication due to lack of a common language and a lot of sitting around. This time was a little different. Dr. Maly couldn't get enough of us! He showed us around, translated everything he possibly could, took us to two local eateries, and really tried to show us RACHAs involvement at each clinic. We then went another hour away into the mountainous, but eerily gorgeous country side to the "big" city of Koh Kong. Our hotel had a beautiful sea side view and even better (and cheaper) drinks. I mean...what more could a girl ask for?
Koh Kong from the roadside stall we ate noodles at for breakfast
Happy homemade noodle plate
Going through the QI Assessment
On Sunday, we took a boat to do something somewhat touristy (if Koh Kong ever really has tourist). Koh Kong is the south-east most province that borders Thailand, the Gulf of Thailand, and is mostly populated with jungle. When we were driving there...there were "elephant crossing" signs. Pretty cool. It is also known for its waterfalls. This day we took a boat to a waterfall, trekked through the jungle full of huge ants to get to the actual waterfall, fell unexpectly in deep water with my purse around my neck and my phone at the bottom of it, and fell unexpectedly throughout trying to walk up the waterfall due to the algae covered rocks. Every freakin bruise was worth it. At some point, we reached a step of the waterfall where you could could jump off the rocks into deep water, swim, and best of all...we were the ONLY people around for miles. Once in a lifetime experience, worth every injury, and even worth the sunburn.
Hanging out in a waterfall
Monday was a touching day. This was our day for home visits and we were all very excited to participate. This day started at the Pagoda in a small house with a couple rooms. These rooms were used for adults and children who live in rural areas and have check ups with doctors in the city of Koh Kong. All of these patients have HIV/AIDS. There were mothers and children, and really, the children made it difficult. All smiles, waving, and staring in awe of these foreign people, there is just a part of you that knows if they weren't here waiting for treatment, they would be on the other side of the spectrum. Afterwards, and in the downpour monsoon weather we so love in Cambodia, we attended a couple home visits. Home visits are used to check in with rural HIV/AIDS patients. One man had used his boat to travel to receive his ARVs, taken them, had a horrible side effect when turning home and almost drowned. This made him lose the ability to use his left arm. He then had a bad reaction to his ARVs and high blood pressure medication, which left him almost unable to walk. On the other hand, his health was much better now. The next lady had a little road side stand and two little beautiful and toothless faces with her. She had lost her husband due to HIV/AIDS, she was infected, her daughter was infected, but her son had been spared. All were on and had access to ARVs, all were in good health . The final couple we visited were not married, but helped eachother out. They invited us to in to sit down and ask questions. The women had received HIV/AIDS from her husband who was no longer with her and was on her death bed not long ago due to her infection and no ARVs. The man had gotten HIV/AIDS from his wife, who had recieved it from her ex-husband, and was also near his death bed not very long ago. He lost his wife from HIV/AIDS and had lost the will to live but with some great intervention, began taking the ARVs and his life turned around. The women survived due to access as well. Now they were both happy, healthy, and had no complications. I know, heavy stuff, but this is public health and this is why we want to make a difference. These stories motivate you to do better and not take a minute of life for granted. Who knows what is around that next corner...sometimes this place won't let you forget that thought.
Laura giving stickers to the kids at the Pagoda
Meghan and I talking about clinic prices
The next day we did a small home visit where our trusty SUV got stuck in the mud for an hour. Laura, desperately trying to help, only recieved "what does this girl know?" looks from the locals. Laura's response? "Hey, I have two brothers, I know what I am talking about". An hour later, and some mud flung all over me from standing in the wrong spot, we were hotel bound and ready for vacation. The next day was Bangkok and beyond, and among everything, a much needed break to the heart and mind.
I promise I will not leave you all again like I did recently, it was a matter of cheap hotels, little to no wifi, and just a large amount of fun. I am back in Phnom Penh now with nothing but time...or so it feels...so no more excuses for my absence. On the other hand...Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand are all in the mix coming up. So little time, so much to do, eat, and see...and we are going to do, eat, and see til our heads spin...or we land back home:)
