This morning we woke to a cooler sky, one that looked like rain and I was hopeful. At breakfast Sokgium assured us it would not rain today. Instead it reached 90 degrees with high humidity.
For breakfast we ate a small bit of rice with a fried and salted fish called somheam. It reminded me of smelt from ice fishing camps in Maine.
Later in the morning a tuk tuk driver that could not speak any English took us to the airport so that I could finally pick up my missing luggage. It had made a round trip from Bangkok China to Chicago and finally to Phnom Penh.
This evening we taught our first English class. We took over where the previous resident leaders Becky and Kim had left off. It was a light class tonight as we got our barrings, mostly taking about body language and gestures that vary from culture to culture. We tried to discourage the latest images on tv where fist bumping, high fives and this new face slapping stuff is prevalent. In the Cambodian culture there is still a tremendous respect for the elders, teachers and leaders. Touching like in Japan culture does not happen instead hands together and a bow is their warm greeting of respect.
What a challenge trying to communicate all the variables of western culture. The media displays such a warped and narrow view of American lifestyle. Kuddos to you for taking the higher road. I am excited for you both and all that you will learn while there. Sending Love.
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