Battambang

Fact: Approx. 6 million landmines still reside here. More than 1000 deaths and casualties happen each year caused by landmines. :O Oh boy! NOW i'm nervous.

I know i haven't been the best at all this posting stuff but somehow most of my money seems to be going on internet here!! We have been here in Battambang for 3 days now and I must say ... I love it. I know, I know... I seem to be saying this a lot lately but this place is a little different: There's almost no tourists!! YES!Finally! I get to enjoy the city for what it really is. The markets are filled with regular everyday clothing and food (no souvenirs!) and, when u walk in the street, there's actually Cambodians.. not people that try to sell you something every 5 seconds. They are actually going about their everyday lives. I love it here. Battambang is the 2nd largest city in Cambodia, but yet, still seems this small. Me and Paula walked around the little streets the other day and it was truly a great experience. Just seeing how they make a living and seing the kids play in the street. Ah.

The reason why we came here thought, was for the orphanages. We are 5 here.. well soon to be 5. They are building 2 as we speak (mmm i mean type/read). We spent most of our time there. I think I speak for all three of us when I say (type) that Staying all day with those kids is truly the highlight of this trip. They just seem so happy and peaceful. It's hard to believe that , even though they went through so much all ready, they go on everyday with such a strong outlook of life and love itself. Ahh don't make myself cry. We did enough.

Today, we actually went to one orphanage and the kids had "church" (which is basically them sitting all together and they sing, dance and talk) and then we went to the lake to stay with the kids while 28 of them got baptised. Now, I am not a believer but , I do appreciate how the religion is bringing all of them closer together. By studying this all together, it builds a common ground around them, i think. That even though they come from different places and have different backgrounds , they still have something that they came come to appreciate and talk about together. My thoughts, anyways.

The kids went to get Baptised in a lake outside of town. That lake was one of the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge back in the 60s-70s. Thousands of innoncent people died in the exact spot where our kids are getting new begginings. The lake is manmade. It is said that they made it in order to preserve the area of the fields. To make the innoncent rest in peace. By having water, no houses , agriculture or anything else can be put there. Well, that's what the missionary said. I thought it was interesting.

so that's it for today. Tomorrow, we are leaving for the Capitol Penom Penh. Our final Destination before coming home :(

bye!