Adventures in Cambodia

Hello everyone,

I'm approaching my last few days in Cambodia and the time has flown by! It's been a really wonderful experience living and working here and I'm glad I was able to have a positive volunteer experience after a less than stellar experience in Vietnam. I'm going to miss my Harpswell girls a tremendous amount when I leave, and I'll definitely have to keep in touch with them and make a return trip sometime soon. Two weeks ago I had coffee, cookies and great conversation with the US Ambassador to Cambodia, Carol Rodley and the Consular Chief, Anita Allegra, at the Ambassador's house. It was wonderful to have them all to myself to ask every possible question about working in the Embassy, their careers as foreign service officers and what to expect working overseas. I am considering a career in the foreign service, so it was a great opportunity to ask career foreign officers about their experiences. They were both fascinating people and our two hours of conversation sailed by. What a treat!

My Harpswell girls and me in front of Chatomuk Hall.

When I sent my thank you to the Ambassador, she invited me, the other leadership residents and my Harpswell girls to a town hall event with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. We took about 50 of our girls and attended the event at Chatomuk Hall, which is next to the Mekong river in Phnom Penh. We had to get there at 9 to go through security but the event didn't start until almost 12. It was worth it though. We were among the first ones in so several of the girls and I were able to sit in the front row. I was 10 feet from Secretary Clinton! I also got to shake her hand when she left the auditorium, which was quite a thrill.

Secretary of State Clinton

We sat close to the Ambassador who came over when I waved and said hello, and asked where "her Harpswell girls" were. It was so nice to be recognized in front of the entire auditorium by the Ambassador. She also introduced me to the Minister of Education who said I looked "very Khmer" in my sampot, or traditional Khmer skirt, and white button up shirt.

Today I'm in the seaside town of Kep, on the southwest coast of Cambodia. After the traffic, pollution and craziness of Phnom Penh, it's been absolutely wonderful to just enjoy the sea air, walk all over the town and enjoy a few days of relaxation. I'll be going to Koh Tonsay, also known as Rabbit Island, tomorrow and staying overnight in a beach front bungalow for about $7. They only have electricity from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., so we'll be able to enjoy a peaceful quiet night. Today my friend Kristen and I visited a pepper plantation for Kampot pepper, which is renowned throughout Cambodia and beyond.

My traditional Khmer outfit.

 On Sunday, the senior manager of Harpswell will be getting married and I'll be going first to her wedding ceremony, leaving at 6:00 a.m. and returning around 11:00 a.m., and then for the reception, which begins around 5:00 p.m. It's my first Cambodian wedding, so I'm looking forward to the experience!

Monday night, my Mom flies into Phnom Penh and we will begin our month of traveling around Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand before I return home for a month in December. Look for photos from me on Saturday!

Anita Allegra, Consular Chief and Ambassador Carol Rodley

Hope all is well,
Erika