Holiday in the Countryside

Recently, Cambodia celebrated their largest holiday Pchum Ben. Everyone usually returns to the countryside to be with their families. 

One of my favorite former students invited Melissa (my new roommate) and me to join her in the countryside to celebrate. It was about a 2 hour tuk tuk ride away from Phnom Penh

Her house was in a small village, and she had a whole bunch of family there! They were so nice and excited for us to be there. We were equally as thrilled 

We went to their local temple to feed the spirits and pay our respects. It was fun but it felt like we were at the zoo...but we were the animals to see. Everyone stared with the same why-are-these-two-white-girls-here-I've-never-seen-anyone-who-looks-like-that expression.

After the temple, we returned to their house to eat! The food was...edible. They eat on wooden tables that double as beds at night time. It hurt just sitting on it, I can't imagine how they sleep there. 

 This is about half of the family 

This little guy was my favorite

That was one of the coolest things I've done since I've been here. 

My favorite part of this country? Their ability to do nothing and just chill