We just completed the Vietnam leg of our trip today, arriving this evening (Saturday night) in Phnom Penh after traveling most of the day from Saigon. We drove back to Cambodia because it is much cheaper to fly to Vientiane, Laos from here than it is from Vietnam — don’t know why, just is. Also today I finally experienced my first difficulties with something others had warned me about — “stomach” and digestive problems. At least I had a little consolation, in that I was leaving the product of my problems all around the Cu Chi tunnels, site of one of Ho Chi Minh’s proud successes against the Americans. More on that in the coming days when I report on the Vietnam leg of the trip.

For now, some random thoughts and happenings that didn’t fit into previous reports:

  • The first day of our meeting in Svay Riengh, Cambodia, offered a bit of levity when a chicken flew down the aisle and landed on my foot, which was extended in its path.
  • We crossed the Mekong River going both to and from Saigon by using the Neak Loeang (spelling may not be exactly right) ferry. We have encountered few beggars but most of them were probably here, especially on the way to Vietnam when we had to wait a while for the ferry. Many more than that were trying to sell us their food, crafts, or other items. It was sad watching some, amusing watching others. Given that it was my first day on the ground and I was suffering culture shock and excess fatigue, I had trouble processing the beautiful girl who was trying to sell fried bugs to travelers. Our friends Luy and Vibol did discover some snacks that appealed to them: Luy indulged in the fried frog legs, and Vibol bought some crickets which he consumed as if they were a bag of popcorn.

Luy enjoys a snack; a bug vendor

Vibol knows how to tweak us Americans, and he has a great sense of humor. I am repeatedly hearing, “You try, Paul?”, inevitably holding up some food item that he knows I wouldn’t touch, much less taste. Chris Driver has been pretty adventurous with the cuisine, however.

 

Vibol of The Bible League

  • When we got to the hotel in Svay Rieng the clerk was in the lobby watching television, and was quite amused by what appeared to be a reality TV program, watching a boy (probably about 12-years-old) stuff a huge snake down inside his t-shirt.
  • The truck ride from Phnom Penh to the Svay Rieng was hot, dusty and bumpy. There was only room for five in the front cab where the air conditioning was (which was broken on the return trip today). The kind Cambodians always defer to their American guests on the preferred seating. Plus riding in the backs of trucks is the way they live here.
  • Lots of cattle wandering free along the side of the road on the long trip today.
  • My favorite thing I’ve heard from Tim Bunn so far: “Don’t let anyone come here from the West and tell you you need something that you don’t already have here in this country.”
  • Every Cambodian has a story to tell about the effects from the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge regime. Every one. They are still recovering and it may take a couple of generations. They say Hitler tried to kill off a people that was not his own. Pol Pot tried to eradicate his own people.
  • There are several casinos on the Cambodian side at the border. You can’t gamble legally in Vietnam.
  • We visited the first, and so far only, Christian bookstore in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). It has been open for six months, has the approval of the government, and is run by “Pastor Mark.” The only two American works I noticed, translated into Vietnamese, were some study guides by Bible commentator Warren Wiersbe, and also Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life.” He hopes to open another in Hanoi soon, again with permission from the Ministry of Religion.
  • We are often amused at how the Asians are just a little off on their English. Our Malaysian friend, John, at a recent meal after sampling, said “The chicken is not so friendly.”