As she flies off in the sunset…

A little overdue, it’s with sadness that on Monday I had to say farewell to Cambodia and my life in Phnom Penh. Although I’m very excited to be back in Kenya working on a different aspect of the WORTH program at Pact, it was a fantastic 10-months in the ‘Bodge and I will miss everyone and everything about the country (minus the heat!).

The last few days in the city featured meals at some of my favorite restaurants, one last facial at Souche, some last-minute shopping at the Russian Market, and far too many goodbyes.

The highlight of the week was on Friday night when my Dad and I met up with Bec, Ben, John, Tharum, Mythical Dude, et al. for a boat-ride along the tonle sap at sunset.

Bec – in celebration of all our girl’s nights – carted along fresh pastrami, blue cheese, olives, and baguettes for a sundown picnic. She even brought me a soda water! :o) It was a treat to watch Tharum try his first pastrami/blue cheese combo, and maybe the trend will follow in future blog gatherings. Well, it COULD happen.

I had lots of mixed feelings in the last few days of being in Cambodia, but I know someday I’ll find myself back there again. The people were the most amazing part of my experience and I hope that through the internet and modern communications I’ll be able to maintain those friendships over time. I was also amazed by two reoccuring messages to me when I left:

a) Please write/email/send pictures when you get married and have kids! <--Cambodian friends

b) Hope that someday you can pursue your real passion of photography as a career. <--Foreign friends

It’s always interesting to discover how others perceive you and what they want for you to have in your life. I know my own perceptions about myself have changed since July. I’ve definitely learned a lot about myself during my time in Asia, and a lot about international development challenges. Instead of having more answers to the questions I arrived with, I’m asking even more questions now, and dubious about some of beliefs I always had faith in. I think it will be even more telling when I return home to the US in June for a visit and am really able to process these changes.

For now, I have to close this chapter on Cambodia knowing that it will always have a profound impact on who I am as a person and what I hope to accomplish in my lifetime. I already miss everyone that I met during my time there, but instead of saying goodbye, I told people, “Choup knia pale kraoy” – see you again. Because I know I will.