Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Where do I even start???
(Nat took these when she was on her shift)This was in fact a life changing experience. I know I keep saying that every single fucking time I leave Cambodia, but I can assure you, none of my travel experiences can really top this one..
On my first day, at the dawn of light, I woke up at exactly 6:30am to prep for breakfast and classes. Natalie woke up later because she was working a different shift which was caring for infants rather then preschool-kindergardeners..
and Shit. mother fucking shit. As my hands drain in sweat, delberately waiting for the children to sit down in their cafetaria style table, thoughts are running through my head of how everything is going to work out and I can tell you.. their are SO MANY RULES AND GUIDELINES that I have to remember .. that beads of sweat drain down my back as I think about it.
But when I first saw the little kiddies, I think i fell in LOVE. It was not until I met May. May is a 6 year old girl who basically witnessed her parents die in front of her from a LANDMINE. and now she's here, at the orphanage, smiling because she is so fortunate to be at the place where she can eat and learn. I can not tell you.. the feeling i felt when i heard that story from the instructor there.. i mean, I mean at the age of SIX.. she has developed such a thick skin.
I adulate and bow down to her bravery.
I wanted to stay at the Orphanage so badly.. I didn't want to leave them and there was not once in the duration of my 7 days there.. did i feel discomfort.... it made my day when they smiled and said thank you when i gave them their porridge.. it just really sucks that the world works the way it does.. and how we are so fortunate to live where we have clean water and a roof on top of our heads..
it makes me realize so many things.. but the only thing i can do at this point is not to feel bad for them because it is not making the situation better for them when i feel wrecked emotionally.. but to make people more aware. I'm speaking from my heart.. it really brakes me apart when one of the instructors told them that it was going to rain and the glee in happiness because they would all run out with their unsanatized water bottles and fill it up with rain water.. and to think that we run clean water from our toilets makes me really upset. I guess teh only thing to do is really not to "feel sorry for them" but is to act upon awareness and applaud their courage and heroism.. I know this is a once in a LIFETIME opportunity.. and I know i cannot come every summer (Due to expenses and such..its really not cheap, but i wish i could do this more often) to help them but I can donate. i know you've seen advertisements everywhere about donating money but i'm telling you.. it does really help them. The education/orphanage center that i worked for was part of a non-profit organization and if it wasnt for the good people in the world who donated; education, food, and water would not be given to these children. I know this may be a sappy ass blog but I'm serious about this.. It really tears me apart when I see children scavaging in garbage dumps for food (this was not at the orphanage) and that last weekend, I threw away an entire sandwich because it didn't taste good.
I have left with a guilt.
I cant take it. i really cant.
I'm so thankful to be, (and FUCK YOU Ted if you think this is a sentimental ass blog), apart of this non-profit organization in the amount of time I was there and to be in their presense. It's a little crazy that I had to pay so much for expenses but when i really think about it.. it really was worth it and this will leave me with memories i will forever charish period. Yes. This left me with intially a different perspective on life and the world. YES, I know that when I do go back, I will not think about these little things.. such as water that I use, food I eat, and the roof over my head, but there is really nothing you can do but to be more appreciative and don't take shit for granted. We are too lucky and fortunate to life in the lifestyle that we do. Be thankful.
Unfortunately, I was not able to take any pictures and due to respect, I don't think I would take pictures anyways.. But i did take pictures before I went to the orphanage. I will eventually post them on here when i have more time.
So right now im in the FAMOUS ULAN-BATOR i have been talking about for months.. and. its.... ummm... i mean.. Mongolia. ok ok. its one of those things where its only fun for a day or two and then you just kinda want to leave kinda thing.. DEFINATELY a culture shock (i've mentioned this to some ppl already) but it is seriously...like another planet here.. .. its INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE.. i think i'm going crazy (and also the due to the fact that im also heavily jet lagged and sick) but i've really never been into a country where communism still kinda exist (given the fact that it was locked in between russia and china, communism lords) but .. everything here is ...
bland.
(blah blah blah)
I mean the only things me and my papa have been doing are sight seeing and... sight seeing..
the city is just like a regular city.. but filled with huge malls. I have to admit. it is really beautiful here.. the mountains.. and the animals.. and the people..
i miss everyone so much and i cant wait to see you guys... from cali to new york.
Peace, Love and Hotdog,
Tiff
btw, I'm sorry about my last blog, I was super sick and was at the hospital so I couldn't blog.. gahhH!
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