I popped out of bed and started my morning routine. Climbing down the stairs to the first floor, slipping out the back door into the alley, until reaching the breakfast room. I made a cup of coffee and then carried it back up to the rooftop to write.
Sython arrived at 8:30am and he looked different. He seemed tired, normally arriving with smiles ear to ear, bouncing his shoulders up and down while laughing at his own stories. I asked if everything was okay and with an expressionless response, he told me he would be sending me to The Royal Palace alone today. He explained he was not feeling well and would be going to the hospital. I wondered if he ate a piece of that baby cow, as I climbed into the Tuk Tuk and wished him well. He spoke to the driver in Khmer and handed him some money before waving me goodbye.
I didn't mind having a personal driver and touring alone today. I had been around people for twenty fours hours a day the last week, so was fine with the change of plans.
The Tuk Tuk swerved around the other reckless drivers, as I slid on my headphones. I daydreamed on the drive while we passed through the busy city of Phnom Penh. I was beginning to recognize certain landmarks and was feeling much more comfortable with my surroundings. I still wasn't comfortable with the aroma from the markets, but I was learning how and when to hold my breath longer.
The Tuk Tuk carried me along the Riverside and up to a long gate with tall majestic gold buildings tucked behind it. He motioned to me that he would be right here when I walked back out. I scanned the area for land marker on the corner, and took a mental note of the dark green canopy hanging above. All the roads and alleys looked the same and there were many entrances to get into the palace. I wanted to be sure I would find my ride home.
The sun was blazing hot already at 9am, but I slipped on the required sweater to cover my shoulders in the palace. The minute I handed my ticket in and entered, my nose caught the transition into the garden before my eyes. This was the first time I smelled anything other than the Khmer scents of markets, raw meat and a miscellaneous blend of foods.
I wandered around the grounds, walking in and out of temples, removing my shoes and hat each time. The bright gardens were well kept and the bushes cut in beautiful designs. The temples were very colorful with red windows outlined in gold and topped with crowns. The palace was like one big maze as I got lost roaming around the different entry ways. I read the walls bordering the property filled with stories told through paintings and drawings.
After covering every inch of the palace, I exited and looked for the green canopy marker. I searched each direction and couldn't find my driver in the swarm of Tuk Tuk drivers that approached me. "Tuk Tuk?" they all probed. I shook my head no and crossed the street. "Need Tuk Tuk??" Another called out. I shook my head in aggravation. A honking noise came from behind and I spun around, recognizing my drivers grey hat as he pulled up with a big smile. Relieved, I jumped in and we head home.
Driving back to the house, my stomach was growling. It was only 10am but I crawled up to the seat closet to the driver. "KFC?" I asked. He shook his head that he didn't understand. I passed a KFC the other day somewhere in the vicinity of our house and was bound and determined to get some American food. "KFC food? We stop?" I pleaded with him. He shook his head again that he didn't understand. Deflated, I moved back to my seat and scanned every street we passed for the trademark sign. I never eat that kind of food at home, but I needed to eat and I knew I would be able to get that down.
We arrived to the house and I sprawled across my bed while the girls asked how my morning tour. I told them I asked the driver to take me to KFC and he didn't understand. They laughed and told me that the food at KFC wouldn't have the same consistency as in the US anyway. They were probably right. I'm sure the menu is Amok Pot Pie or something but even that would do right now. Brooke suggested that I go to the market and buy some snacks. That was a great idea but I had a mound of clothes piling on the floor by my bed. I told her I needed to wash my clothes on the rooftop before our beach trip. Brooke shook her head, "No, we'll just take them to the laundry. It's only $3 and they press all of your clothes. It's quite nice." I quickly shoved all my dirty clothes into a bag and followed Brooke to the cleaner around the corner.
Brooke was quite possibly the nicest person I have ever met. She's the first to ask if need something, offers anything she has to others and treats every person in her path with absolute kindness. Whether they are a new roommate, a cook, a Tuk Tuk driver or the laundry cleaner- she's so kind. Her face lights up and it's a pure genuine greeting every time. Whether she saw you an day ago or an hour ago. It was hard not to be inspired in her company because she just was so darn happy. I admired her and was looking forward to our girls beach trip this weekend.
We arrived to the laundry and an old woman motioned for me to hand her my bag. She dumped it on the floor as my underwear, shorts and bras sprawled across the cement. She counted in Khmer, tossing each item of clothing and then held up three fingers. I reached into my purse, paid her and she handed me a receipt. I asked her if I could pick up tomorrow by 4pm. She nodded her head, pressed her hands together and said "Arkuhn."
Brooke and I hailed a Tuk Tuk to the grocery store and it was just another day of errands, but in Cambodia. I loaded up on all the bare essentials as I filled my arms with Pop tarts, vanilla wafers, M & M's, beef jerky and Goldfish. I carried home my prized possessions and dumped them on my bed like a kid admiring their Halloween candy. I didn't even know where to begin. The girls asked if I wanted to join for lunch downstairs but I declined. I opened my Goldfish and then took a nap.
When I awoke, I headed downstairs to wait for Sython and I found Valentina all packed up waiting for her taxi for the airport. I hugged her goodbye and she told me it was wonderful to meet me. She whispered that she read my horoscope and it will be a very good year for me, as she winked. I wished her a safe trip home and to email me once she arrived. The driver pulled in the driveway and popped his head in. She waved goodbye once more before jumping in the car.
Sython arrived a few minutes later and I told him he just missed Valentina. He was feeling much better and took me in a Tuk Tuk to Wat Phnom. It was different doing a tour just the two of us without Valentina. It's funny how you can barely know someone but then once in close quarters for a few days, you become very attached. Sython and I caught up in our morning and laughed a lot so it was fine but we did make a good trio. He turned to me and said, "You know what Julie? We made a good team." Puzzled I asked what he meant. "You, Valentina and I, I felt like we were such good friends- like family." I smiled, I had just been thinking the same thing. I asked him if that happens a lot where he gets close to the group he works with and he said "No." He told me we all had really good opinions and perspectives that we shared together. He told me sometimes he gets people who don't talk at all. He said he enjoyed the time we all spent together. I agreed, it is rare to cram three people together in a packed corolla or a farm house on stilts and not want to kill each other by the end.
We reached our first stop, The National Museum of Cambodia. Sython stopped in the front of the building as he gave me a quick briefing. "The museum house is one of the world's largest collections of Kymer art." He told me he would not be joining me in the tour and would just wait outside. He handed me a ticket and showed me to the entrance. I walked inside and was awe struck by the beautiful courtyard facing the tall exquisite red roof tops. I walked throughout the museums interior admiring all the sculptures and ceramics. I sat down on a bench for a minute and a little boy dressed in school clothes walked up to me. "Excuse me, you take picture with me?" "With me?" I asked surprised. "Yes! He exclaimed, "Will you please take picture with me?" I nodded my head and his eyes grew wide as he waved for his friend to let him know I agreed. His friend snapped a few pictures and then right before I went to sit back down, the next boy asked, " Excuse me, take with me??" I laughed and said "Of course." Then came the swarm of little girls and boys, all dressed in sailor outfits. Blue skirts and white pressed dress shirts and red ties around their necks. "Me! With me! Will you take?" Twenty some children anxiously awaited their turn to take a photo. I walked across the courtyard to enter the final section of the museum, and another tap on my hip. "Excuse me! Will you take picture with me?" as three more girls ran up with their cameras." They made me laugh. I guess if you ever want to feel like a celebrity, go to the museum on a school day.
We reached our next stop, Wat Phnom meaning "Mountain Pagoda." Sython explained the history behind the temple. "A woman found a large tree in the river. Inside the tree, she found four bronze statues of Buddha," he said while pointing to the drawings in the stone. "A small shrine was built to protect the statues. Eventually this became a sacred site and sanctuary where people would make blessings and pray." We walked along the property and then climbed the tall stairs up to the top where a temple rest.
Sython talked a lot about his girlfriend along our walk found it so endearing how he mentioned her in every moment possible. He really was a good man and it was so obvious how in love he was.
The sky grew dark and after a few sprinkles, the rain poured down as we raced down the stairs and across the yard toward the Tuk Tuk's. Sython was so concerned for me, it was a downpour but I didn't mind. It was the hottest day yet today so I was happy to cool off in the rain.
He cut our day short due to the weather and I went home and relaxed. I had a big day ahead of me tomorrow.
I climbed the stairs up to my room, caught up with my roommates and filled up on beef jerky.
So another successful day in Cambodia. I'm back to running errands, catching up with girlfriends and making weekend plans. I'm getting used to this place and loving every day even more, especially now that I have Goldfish.