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Hope Cambodia - Day 9 Thursday, August 9, 2007		Back to Home Page
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On this day we were originally scheduled to work most of the day, but those plans fell through. So, we did the tourist thing in a non-depressing way. Part of the group spent the whole day shopping. We went with the group that did 1/2 day shopping and 1/2 day at the Royal Palace. I think this was our only completely free day of the trip and it was the next to the last day.


I wonder if he gets hazard pay on his job?		Check out the stretcher mobile beside this clinic!


Ever wonder where your papasan frame came from? Now you know.		American mothers will not believe it is possible to transport a baby in this manner, but we saw it many times. Scary!

		The Russian Market.

Jenn, Tracy, me, and some strange guy stalking us.		Pastor Terry is famous for having trouble with electronic devices. Here Jason helps him with the two cell phones he had on the trip.


Advertising that needs no language skills. Spots = sad / Use our product = no spots = happy.		One of the many hot and stuffy corridors in the market.


This isle was lined with sewing machines where people would make custom-fit clothes for you.		I don't know what bubble tea is, but now I know where to get it.


Back at the hotel for a safe & reliable lunch.		Duck, anyone?

		No? Then how about a little fish?


Jason looking shifty, then doing a magic trick for the interpreters.

		This guy was a famous Cambodian actor. Our translators were very excited to see him up close in our hotel. They tried to play it cool but I blew it by taking a picture of him.


Suja with Ly & Lymong		Next we headed to the Royal Palace.


This weird tree looked like it produced those tiny bananas but we weren't sure.		The boys paid about 60 cents admission and went through an express line. Foreigners paid over $6 and had to wait a long time to do so. I can see why but the long line business seemed to add insult to injury.


Maybe it was because we were tired, but I think we mostly felt like, "OK, lots of ornate buildings in a poverty-stricken country. Big deal." Maybe I shouldn't speak for the others like that!!		I was supposed to be posing for a picture but instead Eric catches the moment when I realized that Jason and I were dressed just alike. I hate being a Twinky!


Pastor Terry having some deep thoughts.		Me in E in the big C.


These murals went on and on and were in the process of being restored.		Tons of big goldfish in a small area.


A small replica of the palace area. I'm not sure why, maybe in case you got lost in there?		I took this to show how huge the leaves were on this plant. I have one in my office but it sure doesn't grow like that!


Everyone taking a rest by the refreshment stand.


Me being artistic.		Me on some stairs.



Eric and Neth exploring.		Again, you have to wonder about hazard pay. You can tell this is a country without many lawyers.


Kids providing a musical backdrop for our Royal Palace experience.		A strange tree we saw on the palace grounds.


I was told this depicts the battle between good and evil.		I was not told what this depicts, but he reminds me of Howard the Duck.
Finished with the palace, we next took a short walk along the Mekong river.

Boats. (Great caption, huh?)



A happy Stephanie & John		Me, turning into a Cambodian with the dorky hand signs.

	This just did not look possible to me.
		The crew, sashaying down the walkway.


Flower vendor		Turtles for sale - I didn't want to ask why.
There were also little brown birds for sale. Supposedly people buy them, then set them free for good luck. Then I'm told they are taught to go back to their owners to be sold again. Nice work if you can get it! Next we go to Wat Phnom. More info providied by Wikipedia: Wat Phnom is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373,it stands at 27 meters and is the tallest religious structure in the city. Built on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh after a great flood washed statues of Buddha downstream, it has since been renovated. And what wiki doesn't tell you is, it's full of monkeys!!

Monkeys, monkeys everywhere - and they were not shy.		Jason pestered quite a few of them then one of them decided to go after him! I was so glad we didn't have to take him in for a rabies shot.


The giant clock as seen from the top, and with a monkey at 11:00.		There were so many monkeys in the tree it kind of freaked me out.

Movie Moment: The monkeys in action. You can hear John in the back ground saying, "I don't like this...I thought they were like in cages or something." It cracks me up.


The giant clock + my friends Jenn & Steph in the lower left.		Gretchen took this from the top of the mall where they shopped.


Gretchen also gave me these shots of scenes from the shopping trip.

These were just some of the "dead soldiers" after a day with me in a tropical climate. (I have an almost obsessive love of water.)


Oh yeah, you don't want to mess with my home chicks.		The hotel had crazy cheap prices on massages (like $12!) which we were all very happy to pay. Here's some foot massage in action.





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