I've arrived!

I arrived in Cambodia yesterday afternoon. This country is so amazing and so unlike any other place I've been. The people don't have much, but they have such sweet and gentle spirits. When you look into their faces and eyes, you can see that they have seen much sorrow in their past.

A severe drought has plagued Cambodia over the past couple years. Approximately 80% of Cambodia's population resides in the country, but many people have been forced to move to the city to search for work. The people are eager to work. Children run up to foreigners, carrying boxes of bootlegged books for sale. Drivers of motorcycle taxis and tuk-tuks (a motorcycle or bicycle attached to a large box-like structure that seats 3-4 people comfortably) wait patiently for riders. Last night, our tuk-tuk driver waited over 3 hours for us to take us home. We paid him $3 for the round-trip ride.

Most of the roads in Cambodia are unpaved and quite bumpy. The traffic is crazy--traffic laws don't really seem to apply here. Motorbikes and cars weave past each other on the main roads. To make a left turn, cars just slowly drive into the oncoming lanes until the motorbikes and other various vehicles make room for the automobile. I've seen a family of five riding on the back of a motorbike.

This country is really special, and I am so happy to be here.