23 November 2010

Sad news

You may have seen news stories about the tragedy in Phnom Penh last night - hundreds dead in a stampede during Water Festival...first of all, please don't worry; I'm fine.  I was safe at home when this happened, dealing with tons of scared Cambodians dialing the wrong number in search of their loved ones.  Secondly, I'm not so surprised that something terrible like this happened.  Millions of people flooded into a city lacking the infrastructure to deal with them.  Too many cars, tuktuks and motos literally clogging the streets by facing the wrong direction leave no room for pedestrians who have to resort to walking in the street in this sidewalk-less city.

22 November 2010

Just like the Bowdoin Rooftop...except with palm trees

where to begin?

Let's start with work

After my first week on the job, I can honestly say I'm excited. Everyone is friendly, smart and capable.  Brain function is encouraged, and there is no expectation of being in the office just for the sake of being there.  All in all, it's nothing like EY!

Now to the fun stuff


The jetlag was a bit brutal during the week, so I didn't end up doing much else aside from working and sleeping, but I did manage to locate a gym (which I have not yet joined), find my building's pool (which I have yet to swim in), and make some dance contacts (some of which I did actually meet!).  Other than that, I basically fought the Water Festival traffic and enjoyed my bed until Friday night when things started to get silly.

A side note on Water Festival - Water Festival is the Cambodian equivalent of Mardi Gras.  Millions of people come to Phnom Penh to celebrate the time of the year when the Tonle Sap changes direction, signifying the end of rainy season, and causing massive traffic jams and parks full of sleeping families.  and lots of fun. End note.

OK, now to Friday night.

I volunteered to help KNG with a concert she was putting on for work because (A) it's the nice thing to do and (B) Pou Khliang!!! plus Meas Sok Sophea and an American band called Johnny Rogers Band.  Pou Khliang and Meas Sok Sophea are kind of like the Cambodian Kanye and Taylor Swift, so it was actually kind of awesome. The crowd was huge, the concert was fun, and there's nothing like being backstage with the bands!



After the concert, KNG, a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), an Air Force guy (AF), some Marine Security Guards (MSGs), and I headed over to Darlin Darlin (DD) at Naga World and then a few other places via a lights-and-sirens Suburban so we could actually make it through the crowded streets.  That night, I discovered a few things:
1. The best way to get over jetlag is to stay out late enough to be able to sleep in
2. Cambodian bathroom signs look like this:



Saturday


KNG and I braved the insanity and went over to Soriya mall so she could find something to wear to Bar JoeEyeng (BJE).  If you've never seen large groups of people trying to figure out how to use an escalator, come to Soriya during Water Festival.  hilarious.  I also bought a super silly super chinese pink cellphone to replace the boring one I got from work.  I'd put a link up for it, but I'm pretty sure the model doesn't really exist. seriously.  The only non-chinese writing on the box says it's a Nokia ES20, but google says that's a camera...

Anyway, after that, KNG, PCV and I stopped by BJE before meeting up with AF and an MSG at a jazz lounge called Studio 182.  That place is cool, but the couches were way way way too comfortable for a night following DD.  Someone knew of a great place called Saint Tropez where we could either get a table to be chill or dance inside. Obviously we opted for the dancing where we caught sight of this gem...

PP may just be the best city in the whole world for people-watching.

Sunday

KNG, PCV and I went over to the super-local market where we were the only expats to buy KNG an outfit for a Khmer wedding in Kampong Cham. so fun! The fabric ladies were so nice and funny! I think when we go back to pick up KNG's outfit, I'll get one made just for funsies.  

Of course, we couldn't spend the whole day shopping, so we went over to the Himawari where AF is staying to chill out at the river-front pool.  Since the roads around the river were all blocked off, the tuktuk could only take us part way so we got to experience the craziness on the walk over! 

After some quality pool/jacuzzi time, we made it back to home base and thought it would be good to have a relaxed evening watching the fireworks with food and beverages on the rooftop.  That's how it started.  It ended with the MSGs realizing the holiday on Monday meant their curfew was 0500 while we were hanging out with the security, managers, staff and band at DD. That means the only thing I'm doing today (Monday) is getting a great $10 massage at the spa across the street and watching some of the DVDs I got at Soriya...

The moral of this story is that I get to spend the next 2 years living a lifestyle I would never be able to lead back in the States.  And I think I'm OK with that.

14 November 2010

First weekend In the Penh

To answer your questions, this is what I've been up to since Wednesday...

Thursday and Friday - Flying, flying and more flying.  


After the long DC - PP trip, I was greeted at the gate by a nice Cambodian man that ran around the airport with my passport getting my visa and ushering me through customs.  When I say "ran," I mean it.  I flew through customs like it didn't even exist with a visa in my passport that just magically appeared.  Of course, this was totally unnecessary since my third bag was the last one on the belt.  After we finally got all of my bags, I was escorted through Phnom Penh to my apartment - which, btws, is kind of ridiculous:  2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 3 balconies.

The view from one of them:


yes, mom. those are palm trees!

Saturday - Lucky


After waking up at 6:00AM (thank you, 12 hour time difference and loud monkeys), I unpacked a little bit before connecting with Kitty Non Grata (KNG).  It's so nice having a friend that lives in my building - especially one that's already been here for three weeks and knows what's up.

We decided to walk to a place called The Living Room for brunch where I got a Vietnamese iced coffee and perhaps the most delicious omelet I've ever eaten...cheese, mushrooms and BACON nom nom nomnom nom...

After brunch, we headed over to Lucky Market to get some supplies and a $15 spa mani-pedi.  be jealous.

One quick nap later, it was time for dinner and people/gecko-watching at the FCC. Drinks at an Irish bar called Paddy Rice on the Tonle Sap quay came later, where we ran into an acquaintance of KNG.  We decided to join him and his friend at a swanky martini bar called Metro before finding our tuk-tuk driver and heading home for the night.

The view from the FCC balcony:



Things I learned during my first day in PP:

1. No one walks anywhere during the day
2. Crossing the street is a feat of strength, but not impossible
3. Things are oddly priced...some things are cheap, some are really expensive
4. It's really hot here
5. Geckos are cute


I think the plan for today is to get to the Russian Market and maybe a massage to get myself ready for my first week of work!

09 November 2010

...oh right, I have a blog

I've been pretty bad about updating this sucker.  I kept thinking I'd get around to writing some more DC posts but...

All of the sudden, I'm packing out of DC!  so weird.

Even though I moved down here with the knowledge/intention that it would be temporary, I can't believe time has gone by so quickly!  This year started out a bit rocky, but thanks to the FSI Time Warp and some ridiculous adventures in DC's shallow dating pool with MD, Esq, it feels like I'm leaving as soon as I'm getting settled.

That said, Phnom Penh is calling, and when an exotic tropical locale asks you to live in it, you don't say no...or at least I don't.

Tomorrow is my packout, I said "see ya later" to Thor the Barbie Jeep Jungle Cruiser today, and I get on a plane to yet another new life on Thursday!  It kind of doesn't seem real, but I am definitely looking forward to it.  Warm weather, dream job, amazing perks, proximity to everything super fun in PartyPartySouthEastAsia, blah blah blah...

Basically, I'm going to have a ridiculous time.  And I'm going to write about (hopefully).  Stay tuned!!

On a side note, thank you to all my amazing friends who came out to send me off in style in both Boston and DC!! love you long time!