Week One 2013

Dear Family and Friends,
New Years Eve we went to work as usual. As the work day came to an end we had great expectations of going to the roof of our apartment to see what Phnom Penh does when the clock strikes midnight. As the night progressed we just couldn't keep our eyes open long enough.We went to bed about 10:30. Most of the festivities happened in the Provinces anyway. About 1:00 AM I looked out our apartment window to see  people standing around the entrance to the IN and Out store across from our apartment. They were eating snacks, talking and drinking pop and whatever. It just looked like people "hanging out". Not too eventful.

New Years day we did not go into work. Instead we went to the Phnom Penh Tamao Zoo with Elder and Sister Rhyne. It was a 2 hour tuk tuk ride one way. Periodically we would use our face masks. It has not rained in at least a month and therefore the roads are very dusty. Emissions control is not an issue here, but should be addressed. Riding in a tuk tuk behind old trucks spewing black exhaust is always fun.

We were not prepared for the road leading into to the Zoo. It was lined with beggars. We presume someone must transport them to the road to begin their days work of begging because that is the only way old blind men and women, and crippled people could have gotten there. I wished we had known about these people because we could have brought some "beggars" money with us. We did not give to anyone. There were probably about 50 beggars. If we had had money the question would have been who do you give to. There were also little children along the road. The adults seemed sorrowful but most of the children were playful and thrilled to see us. They would wave and say hello. They were pleased when we acknowledged them.  A dirty little stream ran along the side of the road we traveled. Some of the beggars as they saw us approach would fill a small pan with water and toss it on the road to keep the dust down. They were the beggars I wanted to give money to. They were doing a service, not just begging. That part of the trip made me sad and  uncomfortable. It made me wonder what these peoples lives were as children and young adults. Just by their age I figure many were victims of Pol Pot (1975-79). The poor in this country seem to be unable to rise above their poverty and disabilities.

When we arrived at the zoo there were many people already there. Not everyone is in dire poverty. There were picnic areas and khmer concessions set up. We didn't eat the food but the khmer had no problem. There were a few public bathrooms. For 500 rial you can use them. Entrance into the zoo for foreigners is $5 each. I do not know what the khmer pay. There was no charge for, Sameth, our tuk tuk driver. Many people ride their bikes, motos or drive cars to each exhibit. We chose to walk. I was impressed with the absence of garbage on the ground. The zoo is on government property. Perhaps this is why the litter seemed controlled. Many non Cambodian groups work to maintain the zoo. This also may be a factor to its upkeep.  The zoo is home to rescued animals. These animals would not survive in the wild. One of the bears had a stump as one of its legs. Several of the birds were missing an eye. All of the animals are native to Cambodia. Some are endangered species. Many of the animals fell victim to poachers who seek their parts for vanity, medicines, and superstitious purposes.

Dale already sent some of our zoo pictures to some of you so this blog may be a review. I am certainly not going to put all of our photos in but come with me now on a trip to the zoo....

Our first stop was to the deer. I had no idea there were deer in Cambodia. I picture deer needing four seasons which in Cambodia they do not have. The information signs said that wildlife is hard to see in Cambodia because the animals tend to stay hidden from people.

Dale has a telephoto lens which helped to get these shots. The animals decided to stay at a distance from the fences today. This guy was in plain site. Camouflaged back in a wooded area we could see a gator twice the size of this one.

Monkeys were in cages and....

monkeys were free to roam.

The first animal we encountered was a monkey sitting on a fence post. He looked at me and I was looking at his eyes. I really got spooked when he acted like he was going to lunge at me. I forgot that looking directly into their eyes is a threat. I made sure not to make eye contact after that.

There were a variety of monkeys. They are all native to Cambodia.

LIONS and

TIGERS and

BEARS.
The cages for these animals are not quite what you would find in the United States. They are electric. I did not find much comfort in this precaution having experienced too many power outages at home and at the office.

Of all the animals in the zoo,the rescue efforts for the sun bear seems the most progressive. Rescue groups from Australia have come to their aid and protection.

Iguanas are a part of this wonderful country as well as snakes. Not my favorite. 

I can't remember what this is called. But it is sort of a goat like animal but much bigger and not really a goat at all.

Wild dogs. They have a name but I do not know what it is.

I had no idea Cambodia had otters. I was really excited to see them. They are one of my favorite animals to watch play in the water. And as my family knows I love to watch otters in the snow. They always seem to be having so much fun.

Another wild dog ...sorry no name again.

Then we came to cage after cage of rescued birds. 

I like this picture with the two owls together.

There are many different kinds of eagles in Cambodia.

Mynah bird.  

This fellow was missing his other eye.

We also came upon this family of bats. I sort of felt sorry for them because there is not a dark place for them to hang. These guys are really large.
Creepy!!

This elephant is receiving a sugar cane stick from a visitor. The zoo keepers sell coconuts and sugar cane to feed the elephants. They sell bananas to feed the monkeys. Dale got this shot with the elephants front feet perched on the metal gate.

There were many more photos of animals but this gives you an idea of the type of zoo you would experience if you were ever to visit Cambodia.

Leaving the zoo we passed the beggars again. By the time we left several of them had retired for the day. Above is one of two beggar/greeters who stationed themselves just outside the zoo gate. This is like a large puppet. I guess it is Cambodia's idea of a Big Bird character. If I were a kid I would be hiding from it.

Sister Rhyne and I watching as we travel the road leaving the zoo. Sameth was wearing a Peter Pan type hat. He was really proud of it. 

This truck was loaded down with kids that spent the day at the zoo. They looked like they had a great time. It is obvious that safety is a deep concern in Cambodia.

We stopped at a road side stand for the Rhyne's to buy some grapefruit. These grapefruit are green on the outside and their size is twice that of the grapefruits we buy in the states. 

This bull was roped to a pole at the side of the road we were traveling home on. We stopped so Dale could take its picture. It stands about 7 feet. It is huge. When Dale got out of the tuk tuk to snap a shot, the bull got  agitated. Fortunately the rope used to tie it to the pole was strung through its nose. This prevented it from tugging too hard.  This is one BIG memorable animal. I am sure many tourists have taken its picture. 

We returned home about 3:00 in the afternoon. It was so dusty on the road and on the zoo walking trails that by the time we arrived home we were coated in dirt. We got cleaned up for the next part of our day.

We were invited to a New Years dinner at Viva Mexican Cafe that evening. It was fun to get together with the other Senior Couples to talk about how the holidays went for everyone. 

The remainder of the week was work as usual. We had our typical power outages. Made some happy birthday calls to PEF students. Wrote up a few payment requisitions. Inspected the missionaries apartments. Deep cleaned our apartment. Purchased new scriptures for me from the Service Center. Unfortunately the Service Center was doing their year end inventory so I have to wait to have my scriptures delivered to our office sometime this week.We taught institute Saturday morning and we attended church at the Tuol Tom Pong Branch. It was a good Sabbath.With that said here's wishing that this next week will be

ROARING GOOD!