After a much needed goodnight sleep, we began our day with a good ole American breakfast. Scrambled eggs, super crispy hashbrowns, a grilled tomato and a fruit smoothie. Was one of the tastiest breakfasts...
We set off for the day with no plans and found a trail of intrigue and fun. A multitude of art in the form statues and temples. Even the local elemtary school is easily confused with a
magnificent temple. We laid down flowers at the foot of an alter; lit incense with a prayer; and set caged birds free ($1 sets two birds free...an attraction I am stilling feeling into. Pay the money and support the practice/happily save the birds and set them free?? I set them free.)
Our destination was the jasmine house where we had read they have volunteer opportunities at a local orphanage. When we arrived, we met the local young man working there who spoke impeccable English. The volunteering is more of a long term deal and so didn't work out.. But we did get a chance to talk to this man and he was truly an inspiration. He is dedicating his life to serving local villages; fund raising for them; organizing volunteer opportunities; and donating goods such as bicycles. A true philanthropist, and immensely kind individual. Was a pleasure to meet him.
We spent the afternoon wandering around the supermarket, checking out all the local foods. We accidentally ate an ice cream cone on the way out.. Oops! There were so many new favors it was hard to choose! Tiramisu, hazelnut, blueberry, latte...!! I settled on one made with coconut sugar instead of real sugar and it had a delicious caramel flavor... We might just have to accidentally pass by there again...;-)
Did I mention how hot it is here??? Supposedly it's the relatively cool season, getting progressively hotter in March and intolerable in April... Really? It gets hotter? I usually have quite a tolerance for heat, but it's so humid and not a lick of a breeze. That high end room with air con seems a distant memory...still sweating at 5 am!
This evening we find ourselves sampling some local flavor. Well...not including the popcorn we found at a street vendor :) . We plan to end our night with something we haven't done in a loooonggg time...a massage!!! What??? It's a healthy addiction! Besides, this one is from the blind of Cambodia. They can't see and yet...they can!
The local tradition when saying thank you is a very elegant bow with hands in prayer position. It is done with much more intention than in Thailand and is whelmingly graceful. In honor of this I am calling this country "come bow to ya"...and bow to them I most certainly do.
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