Catch Up

We were all up early yesterday morning, Sunday, to go our separate ways. Half of the team returned to Phnom Penh for one, last day, and then onto home, while the rest of headed to Siem Reap for two days of R&R. The drive took us roughly 7 hours, but it was very comfortable. The road was much better, and appeared more like a rural highway than a backcountry road. Not nearly as much traffic either, so fewer vehicles to have to pass for our dear bus driver.

We were pleasantly surprised when we reached Siem Reap, although most of us knew it would be a tourist destination. Our hotel is just beautiful, and Irene and I have a balcony room so we can look out on the quaint, chaotic and busy street. We split into two groups for dinner last night, with half wanting to try the Mediterranean fare, and the other half for pizza😂😂😂. No rice to be found!🤣😂😂. Afterwards, some came back to rest, and a couple of us went out onto the street to the night market. It was incredibly fun, busy, chaotic and interesting, but the pressure to purchase items from the local vendors is great, and I feel a little hesitant to even pick something up to look at it. But that’s OK, there is nothing I really need other than a few gifts to take home for friends .😊

After a much too short, but sound night’s rest, five of us woke up at 4 AM to make our way to Angkor Wat, the seventh wonder of the world, and a UNESCO world Heritage site. The local pastor of the foursquare church here in Siem Reap was kind enough to take us there and spend the day with us, dropping us off and picking us up at the various temples we wanted to see. Also with us and acting as tour guide extraordinaire is Shannon. Shannon has been a missionary here in Cambodia for the past three years, and works closely with the Foursquare Children of Promise children’s homes. She speaks Khmer, and has been a wealth of information for us all. She is also the master photographer for our group shots, and is just a whole lot of fun!

I’ll post some pictures for you to enjoy before I fall asleep😂😂😂😂😂!

There is really so much more that can be said, but I am simply exhausted. I. need to start moving or I will truly fall asleep. It’s 2:40 in the afternoon, and we have a reservation at a cultural dinner tonight at 7:30. We will all be attending that, and we are looking forward to it. I will try to post later today after I walk around a while to perk myself up!💕