One Month Down

So many things have happened in the days since my last post. I'm trying to sift through the events for those which stand out. Apart from the actual events are the random thoughts that flit through my mind during most unopportuned times, like when I'm doing the laundry. After all, how much focus and attention does it take to scrub and scrub on soiled clothes? It's actually the perfect time to indulge and let my thoughts run wherever it wishes because it's when everyone else stays away. It's like having your alone time but being productive at the same time.

So, back to the events that stand out. We celebrated our "monthsary" here in Phnom Penh over a simple dinner at the cafe inside our village. I really wanted a bigger celebration because I felt we all deserved it for so many reasons. The day had already been long and well spent by doing the laundry from our trip and shopping for food supply. Hubby also had a long day at work and quite honestly, the date slipped our minds until we were parked outside hubby's office to fetch him. By then, all we wanted to do was to fill our bellies and put our feet up for a much needed rest.

Living here in Phnom Penh is a series of win-some, lose-some. When we first came to visit, we loved the place because of it's laidback lifestyle as compared to the hectic one we lived back in Manila. We envisioned more quality time spent with the kids, especially when we saw the house we are living in now. While we were aware of the difficulty we would be facing when communicating with the locals, nothing prepared us for what would eventually face us. Difficult would be an understatement. Picture this, sometimes they don't even understand each other.

I really like it though that they are promoting a sustainable tourism in the country. They have monthly magazines that not only has features on the culture but it has an extensive directory of so many things that would be informative to tourists and expats. Maps, booklets of where to dine and drink and other things that the country has to offer are all for free at hotels, bookstores, stores. Hubby and I made a goal to try a lot if not all of the restaurants in the city, and for myself, the cafes. I take the magazines and guidebooks with me whenever we go out but to my frustration, while the addresses are indicated, finding the place is like finding a needle in the haystack. Firstly, the locals don't care much for specific addresses as they use landmarks for all places. You would think a map would be useful, and usually it is, if the driver knows how to read the map. Oh, the first one should actually be number 2 because first, I have to communicate with the driver where I want to go and hope that he understands me. They have a habit of saying yes even when it means no. We've wasted hours just trying to find a specific place and end up just giving up in frustration and fit of temper. Twice, we were already on the correct street but we still couldn't find the store. Up to now we still haven't found the place where they hold a Catholic Mass. While we found the street, we couldn't find the house number. We know it's most likely a house or a building but which one is anyone's guess.