Tuesday, May 28 to Koh Pdao

Today we finished the second half of our journey to Koh Pdao, the community we would be calling home for the next seven days. The morning started off with a popular western breakfast: star shaped pancakes, fried eggs, bacon, butter, and toast. Menlo students are usually grateful but you’ve never seen gratitude until you keep boys away from their bacon. In the hotel, we reviewed our Khmer (pronounced k-mai) language for the homestays as the families who would be hosting us did not speak English. Pum taught us the words for family members (mother = “madai,” sister = “srai”) so we could affectionately greet our new families. Then, we embarked for Koh Pdao. After an hour bus ride, we stepped foot into the ‘Hundred Pillar Wat.’ The complex was beautiful with gorgeous gardens  marvelous murals (detailing the stories of Buddhism), and amazing architecture. Then we set sail for the highly anticipated boat ride. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all it was hyped up to be. The nausea was palpable (eek!) not to mention the heat... Thankfully, the homestay mothers had a hot and delicious meal waiting for us on shore. Any nausea immediately faded away! We clashed forks and downed drinks until it was time to meet the hosts. We introduced ourselves in Khmer and met the homestay families. Then we had loads of time to get to know the family members. In Amber’s homestay, there were three little girls who were over the moon to meet her. She had a busy afternoon of patty cake, tic tac toe, tag, hide and seek, and fashion shows. No language barrier could stop the fun. In Sophia’s homestay, there were also three young kids, and we played soccer in the afternoon. Then it began to rain, which lowered the temperature at least 15 degrees (Fahrenheit). It was the first time we felt cold in Cambodia. Then, as is customary in Koh Pdao, we partook in a forest spirit ceremony, offering chicken and rice wine to Lok Daa. Some rolled their eyes but this is no joke to the community. A tragedy befell the last tourists who came without a welcoming— one had disappeared for a night and day and then woke up confused in the middle of a jungle. Not to worry! We were respectful and assured that Lok Daa would love our chicken and would not kidnap us. Yay! We look forward to more dinners like the one we had today (fish patties, pork curry, pineapple) and to spending more time with our homestay families! To be continued, Koh Pdao!

-Amber and Sophia 













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