Days here in Cambodia, Part 1

I'm often asked what my days are like, living here in Cambodia. Well frankly they are the same as they would be in the states but living in Cambodia gives it's own little twist.
If living in the states I find myself going to the grocery store but here my cook goes for me BUT I do enjoy going to the market, well except during rainy season and I hate the fish market. Morning time is best to go to the market, everything is alive then, there. You get the full effect of the sights, sounds and smells. We can't forget the smells. A mixture of whatever section you are in, plus garbage, and sewer...
I was at one of the neighborhood sellers the other day buying sugar. She the grandmotehr of my boy's Khmer Teacher. I was standing there watching as she picked things for the Monks who had come for an offering. She picked, dried packaged soup, pickels in a bag and cookies. Then offering with her hands outstretched she gave, then bowed for a blessing. They don't come to our house because we have a gate and are Christian's . I have given in the past and met funny looks from the monks after they gave a blessing. It's funny. They do come though for offerings for building schools which I give without reserve.
If in the states you have boys climbing trees, they do here too but the other day one of my little ones said as he came in, "Mommy, Rowe is up in the tallest coconut tree." We have one that goes at least 4 stories, can be seen for quiet a ways. I said as I ran to the front, "if he doesn't fall I'm gonna kill him myself." the kids all thought it was funny but I stood there waiting what seemed like a very long time, watching parent birds dive bomb him and him holding on. Rowe is 16 and from old Khmer Rouge stock, doesn't fear anything, well except worms and Duk-eyes and cobras... that's another story that I'll tell in my next blog. He managed to get down and looked at me sheepishly. I told him "Don't you ever do that again, you scared the life out of me..." he smiled his sweet, sly smile. Then said sorry. Turning he went to the outside table and took out three baby birds that he and his friends are now raising... Tim said " And Miss Bird lady stood there and let him???" I stuffed down a retort that I had about to say but said, "there wasn't much I could do since he was so far up and I was afraid one wrong move and he was dead..." he's done that before, brought home baby owls and the mother, to my delight then I make him go back and put them back in the nest. I do love owls though.