highest number of national holidays?! Wikipedia doesn’t mention it, but I got info
strait from the source- a Phnom Penh tuk tuk driver’s words for it. 😉 I’m not
sure which country is the leader, but either way, Feb. 18th was
Cambodia’s Meak Bochea Day…which
commemorates the spontaneous gathering of monks to listen to the Buddha’s
preaching…
There is a plethora of activities to do around the Phnom Penh Area, and
we chose to bike the Mekong River on this day off from teaching. It was the highlight of my trip
so far…
For starters, I LOVE bikes. I smile just thinking about a biking. Biking
is an great release that allows you to meet people & see things that
can’t be experienced otherwise. I’ve had countless amazing rides in the
States, but this day in Cambodia was quite different…
profanities at you out their car windows because bikers are ‘hogging their
road’. In Cambodia you get ‘yelled’ at as well…
of their house, drops their sticks, and rolls down their dirt mound to be at
the street while you pass. They smile showcasing their rotted out baby teeth,
wave, and yell… HEEEEELLooooooo!!!! Every single kid. The adults are a little more
subtle, but always give at least a smile and nod.
———-
In America we gather at coffee shops and brewery’s for bike breaks. In
Cambodia, you stop at silk weaving homes. Don’t worry about a snack, just purchase
some silk and the women will treat you like kings & queens with water, fruit,
and candy.
———-
In the States, we have convenient stores. In Cambodia, they take convenience
to a whole other level… There are stands & vendors for anything you could
possibly want… or usually don’t want. =) Do you need… Fruit? Corn on the cob? Silk?
Candy? No need to get off your bike, it will come to you.
In Illinois we take our air conditioned cars to the car wash, or occasionally wash them
ourselves in the driveway on a hot sunny day. Here the locals need to cool off and wash
their cattle. So they march them down to the river for their ‘bath’.
———-
Growing up in my family, we often stopped in the middle of our bike adventures for a picnic lunch…
Sometimes on a blanket on the ground; Sometimes on a picnic table; but never IN
a thatch hut ON a lake. Apparently, at least on Mekong Beach, these huts ARE the
picnic tables. You didn’t bring any food?! That’s ok, because the ‘convenient
‘
vendors apply in the water as well. =) We got green curry & rice. When your
coca-cola can is empty, just hand it to any eager child wading in the water
with a plastic bag.
———-
Biking
is Biking, no matter which country your in. It makes your legs and tush a good sore, and it is a good time guarenteed Adventure. It may sound strange, but Jesus always
MEETS me on my bike rides. He’s in my music, he’s in the wind, and I can just
sense his presence with me when I’m pedaling. Many of my rides in Illinois have
now blended together, but I will Never forget THIS day biking the Mekong River in
Cambodia. Jesus was not only right beside me pedaling, but He was in the faces
of every single smiling child, beggar, silk weaver, fruit vendor, and refreshed stampede
of cattle. =)
