... meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Monday, April 29, 2013
Siem Reap
7:30pm


I can't believe three weeks have passed since my last post.  We've settled into our neighborhood and are getting to know the area and the neighbors well.  Because we're a little bit out of town, its very quiet here after the sun goes down.  

We've been treated to a couple of really nice thunderstorms this past week.  Our balconies give a nice view of the north and east, and we're up high enough to see really far.  When the storms come, we get quite a light show!



Cambodian New Year was celebrated over the weekend of April 13.  It lasts for 3-4 days, but a lot of businesses close a day or two early and/or stay closed afterwards.  On Monday the 15th, we went to West Baray beach, which is a hot spot for locals on holidays.  There were tons of people there, and everyone was really happy and welcoming, despite the heat and the obvious fact that we weren't locals.

 the opposite side of the dam

 rambutan (nice, sweet fruit... similar to a big grape inside) and other good stuff for sale

 assorted crunchies.

 grilled fishes

 West Baray "beach".


Outside of that, life is pretty routine....  a couple of days a week we shop the markets for goodies, or go in to town for massages and lunch.  By dinner we are usually back home to chill and catch up on email or tv.  Overall its a pretty boring life, but we're enjoying every minute of it so far.

 "Poultry in Motion"

 Yesterday there were cows in our yard.  COWS IN MY YARD!  I thought it was awesome, but the neighbors seemed unfazed.   ITS COWS IN THE YARD, PEOPLE!   GET EXCITED!

Corner gas station



We've met up with the Food club for dinner twice in the past two weeks.   Once for a visit to Il Forno, which was totally yummy, and last night to J4B Restobar, a newer filipino restaurant that turned out to be less than desirable.  The club is up to 18 members now, all expats who range in time here from about 10 years to 3 weeks.  We're all from different parts of the world, and in different stages of life, but we've been fortunate enough to meet each other and are enjoying our "search" for good food here.  Not that its much of a search, as most places are really, really good.   If anyone ever tells you they went hungry in Siem Reap, they're either lying or didn't venture past Pub Street.

Anyway........   we're happy. we're safe.  we're kinda broke, but thats okay.  more later.  in the mean time, enjoy tonights sunset.

PS.  I've booked tickets to go "home" to Detroit.  I'll be in town from June 20 until the end of July.
If anyone wants goodies from here, let me know.   xoxo

Monday, Monday

Monday, April 8, 2013
Siem Reap Residences
1:30pm


Yesterday we met up with the gang from the Siem Reap Food Club for "bagels and schmear" (with beer).  Zita spent most of his day cooking the most deliciously amazing bagels I've ever had, and we were treated to some really yummy accompaniments -the highlight for me being peanut butter mixed with fresh Cambodian honey...  divine!

Nice people, really good food and a lot of laughs.  Was a great afternoon

Its been crazy hot here the past few days. 100+ degrees, but after sunset the temperature drops quickly. Usually its down to 80 or so by the time we go to bed.  We must be acclimating, because we've become way less dependent on the aircon, and turn it off (or very low) at nighttime.   Still not ready to see what the electric bill for this month will be....

Day to day life is pretty low key.  Dave and Remy get up early at go walking.  I'm usually awake by 8am (seriously!) and then we make our plans for the day.  We've spent a good deal of time shopping for  the apartment - small shelves, clocks, etc. so its quite homey and comfortable.  So now we can sit back and enjoy it.

 some quick pics from around the neighborhood.

 furniture shopping in a tuk-tuk

baby watermelons and baby humans.

gorgeous new chairs that the landlord brought us for the balcony.

crazy lady (?) having a fish pedicure/massage.

our new pizza place menu.



more to come (promise!)

the new normal

wednesday, april 3 2013
8:30pm
siem reap residences


Today was the big planned "power outage" for the city. I think it had something to do with upgrading power lines from thailand, or some such stuff that I don't understand. All I know is that the power was to be out from 6a-6p.   I woke up about 7:30, and as expected the power was out..but it was still relatively cool in the apartment.  By 9:30 we were back on full power, A/C, internet, everything was working perfectly.  I'm not sure why we thought it was a good idea to leave this heaven and go downtown, but we did.   MISERABLE CHOICE.   The three of us, along with our driver, had lunch, then the boys dropped me off to have a massage while they went shopping.   The massage was fabulous, as usual..but by the end I felt like I was melting.   I couldnt wait to get back home and cool off...  I got back about 3:30, and within the hour the power was out again.   And it didnt come back at 6.  Or 7.   To avoid dying from heat death, everyone in the building walked down to Touich for dinner.  If we have to be uncomfortable, at least it will be with amazing food and drink.   Our landlord called Remy as we were sitting down for dinner to say that the power was back on.  Its amazing how quickly moods change knowing that there is good aircon waiting for us to arrive back home.    Another beautiful dinner and now we're all happy and comfortable again.   Death averted!


The past few days have been really low key.  On Saturday, Remy went with our landlord to Preah Vihear temple and stayed away until last night.  Dave and I have been hanging close to home and getting used to the new surroundings.   My family is all on Skype now, so phone calls back and forth are super easy and dont have to be planned in advance.  We get up in the morning and watch the cows walk down the road to where ever cows go, and in the evenings we watch the cows come back home.
Its so quiet in our little piece of the country that most days I have a hard time leaving the apartment.  Its a good problem to have.


One of these days I'll actually unpack my camera so you can all see how gorgeous it is here.  

-Rhonda
xx