A few notable differences...

* Guys in Cambodia take their shirts off more than Taylor Lautner in Twilight
* It is normal for kids to be out past dusk even without street lights...it isn't time to come home till your mother yells your name
*Need something from the market but too busy to go yourself? Just hand over some money to your 7 year old...they can bike there to pick up whatever you need!
*No need for care instructions on clothes...your only option is to hand wash everything...and drying instructions? Yea right?! Hang them outside and hope it doesn't rain till they have dried.
*A child is never to young to start working in the fields, tending to the cows or managing the family shop while the parents are away...as long as the 5 year old can make change and remember what things cost, they can "man the fort" for a while
*Kids don't skip school...they are more than willing to skip out on time with friends though, if it means taking private lessons
*School is 6 days a week and uniforms are mandatory
*In the states no one thinks twice about someone jogging down the street...here, I can't go 1k without a moto stopping to see if I need a ride
*In the Khmer culture, family is everything. Little girls do not have dance recitals here, but if they did the dads would surely not miss a single one and mothers rise early each day to ensure clothes are clean and meals are made before it's time to leave for school
*Cambodian's don't believe in directness or confrontation. They often will answer a question with the answer they think you are looking for and if they have a problem with you, they are more than likely going to tell those around you before they tell you.
*Instead of asking the phrase "Hey, how are you?" in passing, they ask "Where are you going?" They also expect an answer...and anyone will ask you, even a complete stranger.
*It is not customary to tip here, but you would not imagine the type of service you get after doing so!
*The police would never think to charge someone with disturbing the piece...here it is socially acceptable to start banging drums and chanting into a load speaker at 4am
*Kids don't need tv, electronics or the new toy advertised during their favorite program to keep them entertained. As I sit here writing this in my notebook, my little niece is twisting the top of a flower stem to form a loop...she will now use this "wand" to blow bubbles with a bit of soapy water. You should see what these kids can do with dirt, vines and a little imagination!
*A cold glass of clean water is a luxury...not a given
*Dr. visits are not private- at least 3 other women, 2 nurses and a handful of other people will be in the room with you as you get your ANC check up- all of them talking, questioning and giving advice
*Diapers are not used- I will let you imagine the downfalls of this practice...needless to say I am glad black lights are not used here...so many germs!!!!!!!!!!!
*Left handed people are not common- when patients make a fuss about me writing with my left hand I like to switch to my right hand just for shock value...I figure it is nice to have at least one parlor trick up my sleeve

Cooking In Cambodia...1st addition

Everyone that knows me, knows that I love to cook. Being in a third world country has not changed that, it has just changed the frequency in which I do it.

My plan, is to take "western" recipes and turn them into suitable recipes for Cooking In Cambodia. Typically this means, cooking over an open fire or in some cases on a one burner gas stove. Basically the recipes will translate well for those avid campers who may be reading this...or for my mom who is reading...to pass on to my dad :) Then again, all recipes can be made at home just as easy! Most of my cooking will be done without dairy, oils or too many spices...so if you want a specific recipe "Westernized" for cooking at home, let me know and I will help you out! Also, if you have a recipe for me to try out please send it my way!

So for this first addition, I will provide the 2 recipes I have tried out so far.

I am really hoping that my host family starts letting me cook...because I am pretty sure I am showing symptoms of withdraw.

So, here goes...

Apple Crisp- Yields about 15 cups (or enough for 30 hungry PCV's)

Ingredients:
8lbs of apples- red apples are best
2 1/2 tbsp of Cinnamon- this will get used in 2 different ways
2 c sugar- this will get used in 2 different ways
3-4 c of rolled oats

Tools:
Cutting Board
Knife
Large Pot
Camping Stove

1. Wash apples and then dice into penny sized chunks (I prefer to leave the skin on)
2. Place the oats, 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon and 1/4 c of sugar into a pot (like one you would make pasta in). Cook the oats on low until they start to become golden in color. It is important to stir frequently so as to not burn the oats.
3. Once golden, place the oats into a ziploc bag and seal. The trapped steam will continue to soften the oats.
4. Toss the apples with 2 tbsp of cinnamon and 1 3/4 cups of sugar  (if you like your crisp really sweet or with a very strong cinnamon flavor you can increase the amounts) into the pot you just cooked the oats in.
5. Cook on low for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are soft and the sugar has turned to a caramel like syrup.
6. Leave the apples in the pot, but take 3/4 of the oats and mix into the apples.
7. Top the crisp with the remainder of the oats. Cover and let stand until ready to eat.

Basic BBQ Sauce- Yields about 3 cups (if you intend to baste the meat multiple times I would recommend doubling recipe)

Ingredients:
1 small onion- diced very small
6 cloves of garlic- minced
2 limes- juiced
8 oz ketchup
1/4 c soy sauce
1 tsp of vegetable oil
2 chilli peppers- crush under a knife (one jalapeno minced would work also)
16 oz of Whiskey (I used a $2 bottle but you can use your favorite)
1 tbsp salt

Tools:
Cutting Board
Knife
Sauce Pan
Camping Stove

1. Mince garlic and dice onions and set aside
2. Place chilli peppers under blade of knife and crush till seeds are exposed
3. On low heat, saute garlic and onions in the oil until the onions are softened and golden brown
4. Add the chilli peppers to the pot
5. Stir in the ketchup and soy sauce
6. Add the whiskey and turn the heat up to high
7. Allow the mixture to boil for upwards of 30 minutes- or until the mixture has thickened. The longer you cook the sauce, the stronger the flavor. When you dip a metal spoon into the pot the sauce should drip off the spoon but leave the back coated.
8. When the sauce is thick turn the heat to low, add the lime juice and continue to cook for 5 more minutes.
9. To use: throw the meat of your choice on the grill and baste with the sauce throughout the cooking process

*** This sauce is best with pork...if you are using beef try using a beer like Blue Moon or something "hoppy" instead. For chicken, use something light like Heineken.
*** If you have Liquid Smoke available to you, use 2-3 tsp for a slightly smoky flavor

Through my eyes, ears and mouth...

Cambodia is...

~beautiful

~clothes drying in the sun

~smells; the air after it rains, fried bananas...and unfortunately manure

~green

~ruffled shirts and frilly hats that would rival the hats worn at the Kentucky Derby

~monks and orange robes

~yays (grandmothers) pinching you or rubbing your skin while chewing beetlenut (chewing tobacco that stains your mouth red)

~kids jump roping in all kinds of weather

~torrential downpours

~squatty potties

~mosquitos...pretty sure they are the national bird

~dengue and mosquito nets
~rice...everywhere and for every meal

~kids yelling "Hello-what is your name" every time I ride by them

~flooded dirt roads on my way to work
~dogs...everywhere

~mud
~stands on the side of the road selling fried bananas, fried sweets, fried _______ : you fill in the blank and they could potentially be selling it
~markets that give any corn maze I have visited a run for its money
~surviving and rebuilding; despite its past

~an infatuation with angry birds and the need to have it on hats, shoes, shirts, pj's, notebooks, etc

~laughter when nervous

~cows hanging out in the front yard, on the side of the road, and in the middle of the high school campus

~roosters at 2am, 4am, 6am and sporadically throughout the day

~people thinking my freckles are mosquito bites

~holidays that last anywhere from 3 days to 15 days

~monks starting the morning chants on the load speakers at 4am

~questionable meats being served at meals

~simple but generally delicious foods

~people trying to rub the freckles off of my skin

~babies riding in the baskets on bikes

~an entire family on one moto

~pajamas as active wear

~hot

~fascinating and intriguing

~trees that look like they were drawn by Dr. Suess

~growing on me

~home