Phnom Penh is alive!! and how??!!

Wow, it doesn't seem like it was 2 days ago that we gave you an update, but it is.  We have all been very busy in this loud, vibrant, bustling, city.  By the end of Tuesday, all members of the teams had been to the Killing Fields, S21 Genocide Museum and listened to an insightful talk from Janne at Tabitha.  To say it was emotional is an understatement.  I think we all have a better understanding of the torment this country has seen.

Some people described these two places as "sad", "very harsh" and "terrible".  In Corey's words, "it's wrong!!".  Every team member understood the imnportance of the visit.  We were emotionally drained by the end of the day and most people felt that "clearing the jungle" for the day had been easier!!  It is impossible to come away from these and not be touched.  A few of us had the extreme honour of meeting a survivor of S21.  He has written a book about his tale and told us that he survived because he was able to paint.  He was called to paint Pol Pot and if his painting was judged as being a good likeness, he was allowed to live (unlike the many 'painters' that had tried and been killed).

All members walked through the Killing Fields site showing amazing respect and at times they chose to walk in isolation in quiet reflection of what they were seeing and hearing.  Incredible!!!

On a cheerier note, our night program has been great.  Each night a group of us attends either a movie night, a river cruise, a street kids cafe or a Khmere cooking class.  We have just discovered that we are awesome cooks (according to Heng, our teacher).  One of the most challenging parts of the night program has been negotiating the narrow, rickety, wobbly, but we were guaranteed, safe, foot bridges to get from the shore to the boat.  We think it was about 50m long and it sure was good to get to the boat!!!

Some of us have now eaten red ants and tarantulas!!!!!  The ants were mixed with beef, so they were wasy to eat.  The tarantulas on the other hand, were interesting.  They were crisp, tasty and hairy!!  That's the legs!!!  Then there was the body!!!!  Some tried to convince themselves that they were eating a chop......but it didn't work.  Josh did his best but had to try a different attack.  Shannon just threw the whole lot in and chewed it....well done.

Another day in Cambodia.

Shaz ('Ron' - but I will explain later) and Fiona ('Boss' - will explain that one later too!)