Day three - House building with Life and Hope

The day started out like any of the others. It was a seven thirty start for breakfast, most people having the classic bread and jam with a bottle of water to go with it. After a quick breakfast, everyone ducked upstairs to finish freshening up before returning to the lobby at nine o'clock to get on the two minibuses. It was a twenty minute drive to the building site, where it was clear just how family oriented all the people really were.  The monks and surrounding villagers joined forces with us to help finish the house construction, nailing the floorboards down, the only task left to complete. In the blazing heat, all of our faces were shiny with sweat, despite the seemingly simple task of hammering nails into the floor. Our hard work however, did not go unnoticed. All the surrounding families were gathered together like yesterday, ready to celebrate the construction of the new house and support the family moving into it. It was wonderful to see the respect and love the people had for each other, chanting and praying together for happiness and health for the new tenants. All onlookers sauntered slowly around the house three times while chanting, to remove negativity and bless the house along with the people it was built for, and thank all those who pitched in to provide it. After that, there was a house-warming ceremony within the new house to again, thank all those who provided the house for the appreciative family. The monks chanted once again, while in the praying position, surrounded by the family and all of their community. We were all ecstatic to partake in the ceremony, rather enjoying the feeling that we had given a poor family a fresh chance at a better state of life. After the ceremony, as the rain poured down, we all re entered the buses to return to the Jasmine Family Hostel that we have been staying at. The rest of the afternoon was fairly low key, most people rushing to change into bathers and jump into the motel pool. An intense game of pool volleyball soon ensued, providing a time to cool off, while helping everyone adjust to each other's company in a fun and relaxed environment. At six o'clock, it was time for tea, everyone getting into tuk tuks to head to witness some Asprea dancing, a popular Cambodian style of dancing, while enjoying a buffet, which James Wyatt was seen to enjoy the most, truly getting his money's worth. 😏 Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, the night ending at about eight o'clock, getting us back to the motel by about eight thirty. With a pleasant and well awaited sleep in the first part of tomorrow's itinerary, everyone either used the time to stay up a little later than previous nights, enjoying further bonding with newfound friends; or giving themselves a well deserved sleep. Overall, the day was fairly successful, everyone seeming to enjoy themselves immensely, while working hard to better the lives of the poor people living in certain parts of Cambodia. Stay active, as Dave is hoping to blog soon. Whether or not he actually will, is another story 😂

Darcy Harrison