Saturday -- a day off from work. It was a great day. The team (Shelley, Chad, Luke, Da, Lori, and I) left bright and early for Wat Phnom Chisor, an ancient temple ruin on top of a mountain. There is a climb of around 300 steps to get up there, but it was well worth it. You can see for miles around, all the way into Vietnam.
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| The ruins at Wat Phnom Chisor (courtesy Chanda Cheng) |
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| Lori and Shelley do their Sampson impression. |
Next we drove into Phnom Penh and met up with A.C., Caleb, John, and Vicki for lunch at The Pizza Company. It was SO good to have some western food for a change. Khmer food is very good and Ming Sopean is an excellent cook, but rice three times a day gets old.
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| If this doesn't make you a vegetarian... |
After lunch Shelley, Luke, Chad, Lori and I went for a stroll through the streets of Phnom Penh. We walked through a local market and were overwhelmed with the sights, sounds, and smells of a true Asian market. Butcher stands (we don't need no stinkin' refrigeration) were especially potent to the senses. We saw a complete "farm to the shopper" process with the poulterer. I must say I'd rather just buy my chicken in the little styrofoam trays wrapped in plastic.
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| The Silver Pagoda at the Royal Palace. |
Following the visit to the market, we went to the Royal Palace where the King and Queen of Cambodia reside. It is quite an impressive campus with palaces, museums, and a Silver Pagoda. Watching people by the hundreds come in and burn incense and kneel to pray to a giant statue of Buddha brought home to us the real reason we are here... such spiritual darkness is more overwhelming than the marketplace could ever be. We individually took time to pray for the people there, that one day they would pray to the Creator, the God of the Universe.
Dinner was at a place called Steve's Steakhouse. Steve imports all his beef from the U.S., and he knows how to make a real hamburger -- juicy and delicious! Dessert was apple pie and ice cream and chocolate mousse. Yum! If you're ever in Phnom Penh, I highly recommend Steve's.
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| Our just desserts at Steve's Steakhouse. |
We capped off the day just as we started the week -- at a local housewarming party. This time we missed the food, but enjoyed dancing in the local way (not sure I can describe it, a cross between line dancing and the hula...). As Luke said, "We can check all of the boxes for this day!"
Tomorrow, Sunday, we'll be back worshipping in the local Khmer house church. But now, some much needed sleep. Enjoy your Saturday, everyone.
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