Goodbye Home of Joy and ODA!

I was VERY tired when I woke up this morning. After a shower and breakfast (and a quick Raid spray) I road my bike to do my last load of laundry in Cambodia. I had a TON to wash (no pun intended) included my two pairs of sneakers as they were COVERED in dirt from the Temples and streets of Cambodia.

When I arrived at HOJ Ginny was already teaching Maria English so I got to play with the kids. When it was time for them to eat I did try and take some time with Maria and explain, “eating, bowl, spoon” and anything else I could think of that might be helpful!

It was so weird that it was my last day and I felt like I had just arrived! But I am glad to know the Home of Joy always has volunteers and financial support so the kids are in good hands.

I came back to the homestay for a nap and a quick lunch before heading downtown! While I am really enjoying ODA in the afternoon, the transportation is always a little iffy. It is SO nice of them to come pick me up (I know it’s extra time for them) but it seems as though there is never a set time (even though I say I will be ready at 1:00pm every day). It doesn’t matter to me WHEN I get picked up but I usually end up sitting outside in the sun in the hottest part of the day and that’s the only thing I don’t enjoy. But anyway I was picked up around 1:20 by Bo and Sokmaly and we were off to do some shopping! I didn’t fall off the motorbike either!

The first stop was the market, where I got toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash and laundry detergent. We then made a LOT of stops at the fruit market and managed to get EVERYTHING on the list! I don’t know how we managed to fit the three of us AND all the bags on the motorbike (without tipping over) but hey it worked!

I was so excited to share everything with the kids and they loved it! The fruit was devoured in 2 minutes (and we got a LOT) and they were also excited about their new hygiene products. We spent the afternoon just hanging out (which I enjoy more than a structured lesson) and I still end up teaching them because I speak English to them. The girls have actually grown on me and aren’t so giddy. Today I brought my nail polish and we painted our nails! They boys actually loved it too (they are SO cute) and most of them did multicolored nails! The girls also love playing with my hair (because it is so light) so they did some braid thing and we just chatted.

I really will miss the kids at ODA and I feel like I was just starting to “bond” with them. The first day I MADE myself learn all their names which I think really made a difference and it wasn’t TOO bad with only 10ish kids!

I got dropped off downtown and checked my email before going to the night market. I wanted to watch a documentary on the Khmer Rouge that was playing in a little theater at the market. It was very interesting. I am STILL a bit confused on the history but I enjoyed learning a bit more.

I then made my way to the Butterfly Garden, a place I had wanted to try for dinner. I had read that on Friday night they had a traditional dance show @ 7:30pm but when I got there I realized it was the exact same show I had seen at the theater (just not as good!) I still enjoyed dinner and the show but I think I would have preferred to go during the day when you can see the butterflies!

Afterwards, I got a tuk-tuk to take me to pick up my laundry before heading back to the homestay. For some reason I don’t have as much trouble picking up a tuk-tuk in town (for $2) but when I am outside of the main strip (like tonight) they always say $3 and sometimes I have to walk away! LUCKILY there is not a shortage of tuk-tuk’s and I can quickly find another!

When I got back I started to do a little bit of organization so I can start packing for Bangkok on Sunday! Woo hoo I am SO EXCITED!

I FINALLY updated my pictures! All of my pictures from Ho Chi Minh City are now uploaded..so check them out! I also updated some more videos which I will change out next week so please look at those as well!

Hugs and kisses from my last day of volunteering in Cambodia!