undecided : casting lots: New place, new space.

This new place, space that I'm in is not like any other place I've ever lived.

Despite having all my windows closed and constantly burning incense (which by the way, you can add to the list of things to send me, all I've seen here are the stick kind for temple) I wake up every morning to strange smells. From someone's breakfast that smells like dinner to what smells like coals being burned.

Since I'm on the topic of smells, let me inject about the air pollution. It's horrible! The air pollution is insane and I carry around a handkerchief and face wipes. The grit that finds its way onto your skin is unbelievable. I have a love hate relationship with the rain. I love it because after it rains, it's the only time the air feels clean yet the steamy sewage smells will catch you off guard and curl your toes.

I only have hot water in my bathroom and you have to flip a switch to get it going 15 minutes prior to taking a shower. Not that you even notice the water's not hot since it's so hot everywhere else. Only having hot water in the bathroom also means either boiling water to wash dishes by hand or hauling it from the bathroom. Oh and let me not forget having to hang my clothes to dry. Boy, do I miss the having a dryer.

The most recent and latest discovery that is the lizards (geckos) popping up out of no where! Oh and the ants! I had no idea. I feel like I need to put my trash in tupperware! The ants are amazing in hunting down one iota of sugar.

I put insect repellant on daily like it's lotion. Side Note: Thank goodness for great friends! My girl hooked me up with this all natural botanical stuff that is amazing! Doesn't even smell like repellant.

It's been over a month since I left the US and I've managed to lose weight (although, this has not been proven, since I don't have a scale. Assuming this is true do to the looseness of my clothes) without even trying. Winning! In addition to the weight loss, I've turned what feels like, 3 shades darker. I've gone past the golden red hue, to golden brown on to a deep mahogany. At least, in my mind, this is what I see.

I've embraced those bygone years of my twenties, where cereal and a piece of fruit has turned into lunch and coffee and granola bar is breakfast. Dinner? What's that? Dinner consist of another bowl of cereal or dinner out when I just need a real meal or a beer. Can't beat dollar beer!

I have never appreciated bottle water more in my life. Having to walk to buy and haul liter bottles up a spiral staircase has cured me of being water wasteful. No more half empty bottles of water sitting around to be poured out.

After reading what I just typed, it sounds like I'm having a terrible go at it and I'm not! Let me interject some of the wonderful aspects of being here. Khmer people are very warm and friendly. I've made some really good friends who made this transition into this new space painless along with my sister, Nik who helped see me settled in this new space. I've been completely pushed out of my comfort zone and forced to embraced life again. Karaoke anyone? How about roller skating?

The food is just lovely. It's a very simple fair with complex flavoring influenced by French, Thai and Vietnamese. Oh and did I forget the best part, it's super cheap! I typically have Khmer food for lunch. A full lunch for only $2.50!!! I may never cook again! I love visiting the markets and local spots for fresh fruits and vegetables.

The kids...oh the kids. I'll have to save the kids for a separate post. Lets just say the kids breathe life into you amongst other things.

Some of the tasty treats of Phnom Penh.