Day 8: A Day in the Life
As we did yesterday, some people started the day earlier than usual to walk to Mr. Gass’ favorite coffee shop called Kinyei while others slept in to enjoy the breakfast buffet of Asian style food at the hotel. Everyone then joined together with the scholarship girls to hop on Cambodia cabs called tuk tuks: a pedicab hitched to a motorbike. Our first stop was at the market, where we split into six groups with one or two of the scholarship girls as the leaders. They were given $10 of spending money and showed us how they shop for themselves when they are living away from their families at the dorms. We were able to see how independent they were and tried to imagine what it would be like if we were in their position. They bought many fruits, dried meats and eggs, while also spending their limited budget on souvenirs for us.
Next, we rode in tuk tuks to see where they would make bamboo rice. We got to sample this rice, as it was a mix of coconut milk, black beans, and sticky rice inside of a bamboo stick.
This was followed by a quick stop at a fishing market, where we saw the latest catches being sorted to produce fish paste, a popular alternative to fresh fish for many households that don’t have refrigerators. Our next destination was a house where we saw locals make fresh rice paper.
Some students were able to use this paper to make their own spring rolls, while also eating them right after.
Our final stop was at the ancient temple of Wat Ek Phnom, built by the first king of Cambodia, where we saw its ruins along with a giant Buddha statue, built in the last 20 years, displaying the mudra representing the “come closer” symbol with his hands.
We had time to walk around and take photos before hopping on the tuk tuks for the last time on our way to lunch. We ate traditional Cambodian food consisting of pork, spring rolls, vegetables, soup and fruit. After this, some decided to walk to the market and the ice cream parlor, while others enjoyed down time at the hotel. The afternoon gave students time to relax and socialize before saying goodbye to the girls for the last time. Although we might not see the girls again, they, and Battambang, will always have a place in our hearts.
Next, we rode in tuk tuks to see where they would make bamboo rice. We got to sample this rice, as it was a mix of coconut milk, black beans, and sticky rice inside of a bamboo stick.
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| Our guide, Sarun, explains how sticky rice is traditionally prepared |
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| Freshly made rice paper dries on a screen |
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| Adrienne prepares a fresh spring roll |
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| Ashley and Rees in front of the giant Buddha |
We had time to walk around and take photos before hopping on the tuk tuks for the last time on our way to lunch. We ate traditional Cambodian food consisting of pork, spring rolls, vegetables, soup and fruit. After this, some decided to walk to the market and the ice cream parlor, while others enjoyed down time at the hotel. The afternoon gave students time to relax and socialize before saying goodbye to the girls for the last time. Although we might not see the girls again, they, and Battambang, will always have a place in our hearts.
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