May 16, 2012 – Day 2 in Cambodia

Well, today is day number two in the beautiful city of Phnom Penh. Since coming here, I have noticed a lot of similarities between Phnom Penh and Hyderabad, India. First, there is a large poverty gap between the rich and the very poor. The ratio of Lexus and Toyota vehicles to bicycles is astonishing for a developing country. Second, the best way to tour the city is not by nice motorcar, but by tuk tuk/rickshaws. Although the drivers try to take advantage of my recently arrived status, the majority of tuk tuk drivers are more than willing to barter down. Third, the food here is delicious and the portion size is ginormous. The host mother does not speak any English, but she makes amazing dishes and her plating skills are incredible.

Today Tessa, Rachel, and I met with RACHA to discuss possible programs to intern in and toured the different departments. As I learned about the many programs RACHA is implementing throughout Cambodia, I was somewhat overwhelmed. The individuals who work here are doing so much good, and clearly are passionate about the projects they are working on. I did not pick a specific department to work with because there was so much information to digest and contemplate. The one thing I can say is that this organization has created a lot of positive change in Cambodia. I am incredibly honored to be interning with this organization.

P.S. The cockroach welcoming party continued on today. For some reason, the cockroaches love to visit me while I am brushing my teeth. Thankfully Tessa was here and I did not have to take my turn to bat during cockroach baseball. I have never laughed so hard. Perhaps I will finally be able to kill spiders when I get home. None of them compare to the cockroaches here.

Seriously, why am I the only one that spots them? Perhaps that is my secret ability and my end goal is to eradicate cockroaches off the face of the planet. I will have to brainstorm a cool superhero name....

-M