A Whole New World

{Our First Few Days}

Just having visited Disneyland, and seen the Aladdin show at Disney Adventure, "A Whole New World" was stuck in my head. I continued to sing it as we set up our hotel room for the upcoming 3 weeks. {I booked our room for 3 weeks, as we had no idea where we would be living. If we found a place early on, then we'd have plenty of time to clean, purchase furniture, and move in with much less stress than our move out of the states allowed, and if we didn't find anything early on, worst case scenario, we'd stay a few more days at the hotel. Thankfully, the first of these two options has played out for us because although it's a very nice temporary stay, we are ready for our new home.} I continued shuffling suitcases, clothing, toiletries, and more, to make a temporary homestead, and it felt good. It was like I was closer to something more permanent, instead of the temporary everything I've been living with for the past few months. I hadn't really thought about how fitting the song was until I glanced out of our 11th story window. Well, maybe not all of the lyrics work, as we're not here on a romantic, magic carpet ride, but the idea of a whole new world definitely rings true. Let me take you on a view of our home away from home.

View from our room at the Frangipani.

Some buildings have a familiar look, and then others

are very foreign to me. It's strange to see such ancient

structures within a stone's throw of a modern building.

Notice the mix of transportation. You'll see pedestrians,

cars, motos, and bicycles all on the same street at the same time.

They place their structures very close together. Some

are close enough, that if both windows were opened,

you'd be able to climb in without stretching.

Bathroom. This is a large one.

Shower. Tubs are a luxury here.

Our door, bed, and fun wallpaper. When Timo saw the wall

during our Skype session, he said it looked like an AT&T

store, and it does... much more comfortable though.

Another bed view, with the night stand and a lamp

that doesn't work, but the rest of the lights work fine.

Our sink basin, mirror, and countertop.

The other end of our long counter.

Our "kitchenette" for the time being.

Our second day in town, we went to a mall-type place the guys had encountered during one of their trips. We ate pizza, and although somewhat familiar, it wasn't as good as what we have back home. There was a play area for the kids, and it was a relief to see them laughing and having fun. They even made some local friends. Then we made a trip to the Lucky Mart - their version of a grocery store. It has probably been one of my favorite places, as I actually felt somewhat normal. There are differences, but they have familiar products, with listed prices (rare), stacked neatly on aisles, all in the luxurious comfort of AC. I was a little surprised by their prices though. A lot of things were priced the same as we'd find in the states, or more expensive, but it is a comfort to know that the must haves and some of the not-so-guilty pleasures are available, even if more expensive than I'd hoped. 

On Friday, Bradley and I went to the Russian Market, around the corner from the hotel. It was quite an experience, as my senses were overwhelmed by... everything. Bradley had said we'd be eating lunch after looking around, and I prepared myself for a meal that was definitely out of my comfort zone, but was honestly relieved when he took me to a coffee cafe to eat. The market has a covered roof with narrow, dark rows, and the damp heat sticks to you like an invisible cobweb - you can't get your hands on it, but you know it's there. The locals, for the most part, seem unfazed by the heat. Most of them wear long sleeves, pants, and some even wear jackets and gloves. Oddly enough, I feel almost naked with my sleeveless shirts and knee length skirts, but the thought of wearing a sweat jacket in a balmy 80 or 90 something degrees is near nauseating. So, I carry a fan, and feel like a spoiled southern belle, waiting for her sweetened lemonade and hourly chair fluffing. Just another way for me to silently say, "hey I'm not from here!" Ugh.

It's neat and yet odd to find little bits of

art influenced by the modern west.

Fruit anybody?

Steam from the plethora of cooking added another layer of heat.

I've been told that sometimes poor widows will

shave their heads as a sign of their poverty. It's like

a vow of poverty, and they rely on the kindness and

generosity of others for food and necessities.

Prawn baths.

This made me think of the "junk heap" ladies

from the Labyrinth movie, as well as Fraggle Rock.

Although it is much more methodic. I have been amazed

at the way the booths are organized, most of them barely

the size of a walk-in closet, each with their own niche of

goods: cleaning products; nuts, bolts, & screws; t-shirts;

and the list goes on and on. Hopefully once I am more

accustomed to the heat, I'll enjoy shopping more.

Leaving the Russian Market.

Thanks to a former student's parent, whose family

also did mission work in Cambodia, we were able

to find this little joint called Jars of Clay. It has had

the greatest variety of American-type foods of any

restaurant we've seen so far. I ate a delicious creamy

mushroom and chicken sauce over pasta with peas,

and Bradley had Khmer curry over rice. It is run by

local women who are dedicated to not only supporting

their families, but also helping orphans and others

in need. It was also very refreshing to hear

someone speak our language so well.

A view of the dessert counter. They even had chocolate!

We've been a few times since this first visit, and although

their brownies aren't as good as back home, their

chocolate cheesecake is the best I've tasted.

I've seen very few cats, but dogs roam the streets

in many places. It's weird to see them domestically

wild, romping around humans, but still keeping

their distance as they scavenge for bits of food.

I thought this was a neat photo.

And then had to zoom in on their electric lines.

Don't worry, we'll only let the kids climb these

poles during a rain storm... what?

After lunch, we made our way up to the roof of our

hotel. This construction is going on next door. It is

amazing how resourceful they are in this kind of work.

Also, here, a construction hat means you're in charge.

Everyone else has the choice of a scarf or their

motorcycle helmet. Most choose a scarf.

We've been here just over a week, and without

any big machines, they've already completed an entire

level. I keep wondering how come it takes American

workers so much longer with so many more resources.

We've been very thankful for this little sea salt pool.

After a long day, or just as a quick delicacy, this has

been a part of our transitional paradise.

Everyday brings new lessons, new surprises, and new adventures. Some good. Some bad. All in all though, we're still feeling positive. I just need to keep singing, "a whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew. But when I'm way up here {on the 11th floor} it's crystal clear that now I'm in a whole new world with you." This new world may not be home yet, but with Bradley I've got the diamond in the rough. Princess and Street Rat signing off for now, and may your 3 wishes come true.