Day 2: Working Day

Today started off with a trip to Orrsey Market down the street from Tat-Too Guesthouse where we are staying! We found a tuk-tuk driver named Jack who drove us around all day. Tuk-Tuk driver Jack dropped us off at the market with the goal of getting trash bags, rubber gardening gloves, and rubber rain boots. With the language barrier this is a challenge, but it is quite comical! Ha! This market is not your average market because it is three floors and has almost everything you could possibly imagine in one spot, but you can''t ever find anything. Even though this is a challenge, the brief orientation at Star Kampuchea yesterday was a help. Mrs. Gutmann has pretty much mastered the numbers and questions, but sometimes we do not say it right and the sellers just look at us like we are complete idiots. Their faces are priceless when this happens!! Eventually, we found everything and got in our tuk-tuk with Jack and we headed to the orphanage!! Just a note, we started calling the Jacks, Jack squared because it was getting confusing just like it probably is for you.

We arrived at the Cambodian Hope Association where every kid was there to greet us by yelling our names. As much as I already love and adore all of them, I secretly have my favorites. We did not stay at the orphanage long because we had a lot of hard work ahead of us. The goal of today was to clean out the entire chicken and pig coop and sty. So, all my fellow group mates got in the orphanages tuk-tuk driven by Ritchie. I however did not. Two girls who are 18, but look like they are younger than me, wanted me to ride on their moto with them. I was a little worried at first but I got on and they gave me kisses and hugs and drove me to the pigs and chickens. When we got here we knew we had a long day ahead of us!

First, we had to pick up all of the trash which was a lot of the grounds, under the rocks, in the coops and stys. We had probably 300 pounds of trash and we ran out of trash bags so we just kept piling it into the others. Ha! After we did this for about two hours, we had to even out the dirt and put anti-virus spray all over so we can bring 30 new pigs in later this week.

It is not that hot here because it has rained here a little which cools it down however I honestly think I lost a few pounds today and I don't think I ever sweat that much in my life. These circumstances however do not stop me from being so incredibly happy and proud of what I am doing here. This area which we cleaned out for the kids, is what they allows them to be self- sustainable. They will all raise these chickens and pigs together so they can not only eat but later make money for the orphanage. When I looked at my work at the end of the day I was so happy to know that I was one step closer to helping these children and the directors of the orphanage. No other words can come out of my hands and head except for AMAZING! The kids are such hard workers when you get them working. I swear they could work all day and never complain once but they just don't know how to get started on a project. When they start working and you talk to them they are so funny. Sometimes you just laugh and nod your head and they think you are funny. If some of you don't know this, the don't ever say "yes"or nod or shake their head. This is why they probably think we are so crazy when we do these actions because we most likely look like clowns. The director of the orphanage said that it looked good and we were done for the day

The orphanage's tuk-tuk took us back to the orphanage where we played for a little. The little tuk-tuk broke down on the way back because it did not have any pertroleum left.  So, Jack and I got out and pushed the little kids. The "afternoon kids" were all going to school this afternoon so we said goodbye to them and the others. The little school outfits they wear are so adorable I thought I was going to die. They all leave and each and everyone of them ask me if I will be back tomorrow. I say yes, and they give me another hug and they say I love you sister!! Words cannot explain the feeling I get when they say this!!

After we left, Jack took us to the VIP sports club. Here there is a pool, gym, showers, fish massage (Hilarious), and food. I did not really feel like swimming today because I was so wiped, but I did get a nice tan. Lisa-Marie and I both drank a delcious banana smoothie and shared some fried rice. We will come here on are breaks every single day.

Of course I will remember the kids from this day. But one thing LM said to me after I asked her a question will stick with me forever.  She told me she read in a book once that pretend you are at a church at a funeral. You do not know who is in the coffin, but you are walking down to see. In this coffin is you. This is the end of your life and you should appreciate and be happy and satifiied with what you have accomplished in your life. This meant so much to me!  Everyone should live their life to the fullest and appreciate everything they have, no matter what it is. I am so satisfied with what I am doing right now here in Cambodia and couldn't be anymore thankful and happy with my life. I am living life to the fullest right now.

Miss everyone.Love You.

Anna

Then, we left the orphange and we were so dirty. Ugh!