It took me two and a half weeks to learn to not flush toilet paper into toilets. Asia has different septic systems so you have to dispose them in a waste paper basket beside the toilet. Signs displayed above every toilet but by habit, I would go to toss in on accident. It took me one hour to learn proper greetings, several days to stomach their food, one day to make a friend and three weeks to learn a great lesson- That I love the experience of travel.
The entire time I was in Cambodia, I have to admit I was so uncomfortable. I was starving and afraid at times. I had minimal rest. I slept on a hard wooden bed or when I did have a mattress, it was covered in sheets with holes in them, some dirty still even. You learn to lower your expectations, you learn that maybe your expectations are skewed.
Crammed into little sedans, traveling with up to nine other people. Riding along streets that were not even developed roads yet. Driving through unstructured traffic, makes you appreciate the safety we take for granted on our roads. Exposed to markets selling creatures one wouldn't think aren't even edible, meats that had never even seen a refrigerator and flys landing on and off your meals and body always. I was served food that had to be forced down or you would be assumed rude, watched cows sliced up in front of my door and went days without access to a shower.
I saw a different side of Asia going in and out of the villages, meeting the people and still every single person I passed so eager to say hello and to share anything they had. The kids at the school even so anxious to learn "American English," calling me "Cha" and holding me so tight after only one day. Sython, Cambodian raised and only visiting one other country in his entire life but knowing so much about the world. He told me once that he didn't need to spend money on traveling the world because the world came to him. Every country came to volunteer and he got to spend the weeks learning from them. It was evident he listened, he was one of the most fascinating people I have met because he learns every detail and shares it with such great enthusiasm.
I learned that no matter how far from home, a friend will give you flip flops when you're in need of shoes, money when you're short of cash and a visa when you're in a bind. I learned the sad Cambodian history of innocent families turtured and killed. I witnessed the harsh reality of Vietnamese effected by the bombs dropped by America and the deformities that still very much existed, passed along from generation. It was heart wrenching to see the challenges Asia faced knowing how easy we have it back at home.
I fly home thankful. Thankful to have survived, thankful I had the opportunity to experience and thankful to have the exposure to life in Asia. It was definitely not a trip most would add to their list but I would recommend if you want to broaden your horizons and test yourself a little. It's not an easy trip but I believe it's important one. The history, culture, sights, temples and villages are unlike anything we are used to, but I think the best medicine for your soul is to stir it up a little and see it all. Try something new, explore somewhere different and get lost.
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