Happy (late) Thanksgiving From Cambodia!

Everyone who knows me, knows that I love any excuse to stuff my face.  And believe it or not, stuffing your face with rice just isn’t all that satisfying.  So when Peace Corps Volunteers have the opportunity to binge eat American food, we certainly take advantage of that. 

Last Saturday we were fed a lovely Thanksgiving dinner, provided by Peace Corps staff and volunteers.  Believe me, I was skeptical about the quality of what we would be fed.  Most importantly I was concerned about the amount of whipped cream that would be present at this event.  However, as soon as I saw the spread of food, all my fears were wiped away.  I can honestly attest that it was an AMAZING dinner.  We all ate until we were sick, but it was definitely worth it. 

Our lovely Thanksgiving Buffet 

It's painful for me to look at this now.  I want more. 

It was certainly a night to remember how thankful I am for all the blessings in my life.  I am so thankful to have such an amazing and supportive group of friends and family back home.  I am thankful for my Peace Corps family (we're all crazy, but somehow it works).  I am so thankful for this experience that has reminded me how important it is to never give up on your dreams (I know it's cheesy, but hey, it's Thanksgiving).  Basically, I'm one appreciative gal.  

And no, there was no whipped cream, but I was so happily surrounded by cookies, cupcakes, pie and donuts, that I could have cared less.  And oh yeah, I was surrounded by some pretty awesome people, too.  

Awesome people

Desserts!

A Day at the Zoo!

I'll admit, most of my interactions with animals in Cambodia are not exactly pleasant.  From the dogs who could use some flea medicine and a bath, to the mice who have eaten through my shirts, ziploc bags, fruit, q-tips, and shampoo bottles (seriously, mice? Lay off my shampoo), I'm not a huge fan.  So when I was told there was a zoo in my province, I had my doubts.  I imagined monkeys in small cages and the occasional bird.  However, due to some convincing by a volunteer in the next district over, I decided to head on over.
I headed out this afternoon around 11, knowing that it takes about 30 minutes for me to bike there.  When I told a couple people in my village that I was biking to the zoo, they replied, "YOU'RE BIKING THERE?!!?!?!??"  By now, people know that I have biked much longer than 30 minutes.  I biked about 4 hours just a few weekends ago.  So I left thinking, "Geez, I don't see what the big deal is.  Ye of little faith in my biking skills."
Well, I should have had a little less faith in my biking skills.  Sometimes, I convince myself that I'm awesome at biking.  And then I go up a hill.
The road leading up to the zoo is about 1.5 kilometers long (definitely just guessing), made of wet sand, and possesses about a 20 degree incline (I wouldn't trust that, one of my worst grades was in geometry).  Now this might not seem like much, but for someone who only has a fried banana in their stomach, a slightly deflated tire, and hasn't seen a hill in 4 months, it's a big deal.  Also, it was really hot.
Soooooooo, after I almost died on the way to the zoo, I finally made it.  AND IT WAS AWESOME.  I would actually venture to say it was one of the best zoos I've ever been to.  The cages were really nice, and there was a pretty good variety of animals.
So here's a few photos!

Apparently deer are fascinating in Cambodia.  It was just like home.  

Adorable Otters!  

Someone got confused a put a chicken in a cage

This owl stares at me like most children in my town  

The best part was definitely the elephant show.  He was pretty adorable and very talented.  He also tried to take money from me.

Just playing some football

Sneaky Elephant trying to take my money

Elephant taking other people's money

The zoo has a huge program that works to save and rehabilitate trapped bears.  They were pretty awesome.

So yeah, basically I live next to an awesome zoo.  It's also a great workout to get there.