The Craziness that has become my trip.

So, since I haven't posted anything about the actual trip. I thought I should give that a try.

January 5th

We got to our hotel around 1 am on Tuesday morning. It was sheer craziness. The traffic in Cambodia has only one rule. There are no rules. Everyone drives like a bat out of hell and pays no attention to others on the road. I would rather drive in Mexico again. Mexico seems like nothing now. Now imagine riding in a top heavy bus screeching around the corners with 22 very tired and jet lagged people. Not a good time. At all. So my roommates and I get up to the hotel room and being to get ready for bed. One of my roommates goes to the bathroom and around 45 seconds after she flushes the toilet, this insane screeching noise bellows from the toilet. After much debate, we decided to just leave it for the night and go to bed. In the morning....same thing. The screech fills the room and wakes the two remaining roommates up. While at breakfast that morning, I decide something is living in there. Know what I cam up with? A bobcat. So now there is offically a bobcat living in my toilet.

Later on Tuesday after sleeping and unpacking my classmates and I get ready for our first excursion. We hop in these little carts that are attached to motorcycles. They are the primary form of transportation for the cities in Cambodia. I thought the bus was horrendous the night before. Boy, was I wrong. That was insane. We make it to the Royal Palace with our lives, though just barely I suspect. The Royal palace is gorgeous. Intricately decorated with yellow and white to depict both the Buddist and Hindu religious traditions. Diamonds and Emeralds are dripping off of everything and each piece and part tells a story.

January 6th
We went to the National History Museum today and saw lots of art dedicated to Visnu and other Hindu dieties. During Pol Pot's regime, the museum was abandoned and looted. Many of the pieces were later reclaimed luckily. We were also introduced to the riverfront. This is where I visited my first brothel. It's an experience no one should ever have and it was awkward and uncomfortable. One of Cambodias largest attractions is their sex trade industry and we are here and will be working with several agenices who help stop it. There is nothing more frustrating than to be sitting next to this and be powerless to stop it.


January 7th.
Today we took a bus to Siem Reip. In this Cambodian town lies Angkor Wat. It is a Hindu temple was built in the 10th or 11th century. It is the largest religious monument in the world. Many people however know it as King Louie's house. He is the monkey from the Jungly Book. There are not even words to describe that place. It was breathtaking and a once in a lifetime trip.