Recovery and Pizza Day with Kids

Trish and I in our tuk tuk

Although most of those stricken with food poisoning were feeling better last evening, not many actually got up and moved around much. This morning was the real test.  Quenie brought  some rice porridge which was so good and agreed with all the sensitive stomachs. Jared was able to come over – he and Chris may have had the most severe cases.  They all had remaining muscular soreness and some headaches but we were able to leave a little before noon in tuk tuks to go to the riverfront for a walk.

The river here is wide, moving fairly fast, and has high sloped cement banks. The river level is low now and it was a long way down to the water.  At street level is a park with wide paved walkways, plantings and benches, people strolling, vendors selling sunglasses, and of course a busy street.  Raw sewage flows into the river by the looks of it and down stream a little ways a woman was at waters edge washing her clothes.  A little farther, two boys were swimming in the brown water and offering their services to people who wanted to release prayer fish (my name for them).  They would be given a bag of live fish in water by a customer and then swim out and release them and the bag and swim back.  They were also diving for something, maybe snails? I suppose they were cool and wet but I can’t imagine it being very healthy.  There is constant trash, plastic, building debris, etc… floating past all the time.  I took some pictures of fishing boats where families were apparently living and hopefully making a living. This is a place once again where you see the poorest of the poor right next to very rich looking buildings and businesses.




fishing on Mekong

Further on our walk we came to a place of worship, probably Hindu, and observed some of their practices. The open building gave us a good look at the central idol which was highlighted by flashing neon lights (???) and flowers.  There was a rather brisk business going on – people buying little swallows from cages and releasing them over the river, or buying flowers and setting them before the idol.  The flowers get removed and resold from what I’ve heard. 

Lunch was at a sandwich shop close to our walk. Almost everyone ordered something but appetites were definitely not back to normal.  Several plates were barely touched.  I had a serving of noodles with vegetables and a tangy sauce, finished up Anne’s French fries and a can of ginger ale.  We relaxed there a while, enjoying the shade and the breeze (fans) as encouraged by their sign “sleep till you’re hungry, eat till you’re sleepy”.  We were also reminded in the bathroom to “please mind your head” because of the low doorway.

We had time before meeting the children to visit Sorya Mall again. I think I covered all six floors.  I bought some Angry Bird flip flops. Evidently Angry Bird is the BIG thing over here and appears on all kind of clothing and other items. I also got some Ricolla lozenges for my throat which is constantly being tickled into a cough. My voice is also nearly gone.

Next, the short walk to the Central market where we were to meet the kids.  They were a little late getting through the traffic but I was there when they were dropped off and it was much fun to see them waving and calling to me, all in their matching purple polo shirts (makes it easy to identify them in a crowd).  They all had in mind what they wanted to shop for and the boys went with Mike, Tyler , Jared, Chris and Alex while Trish, Anne and I took off with the girls. Many of them wanted shoes, high top tennis shoes in a print fabric as it turned out. I took Sulange, the cook, off to find some slacks that she needed. I’m sure it was God answering my prayer that we were able to find some that fit her, and fit the budget, in that overwhelming place.  In the hour and a half before shops began closing we were able to find something for all the kids and the staff – a true miracle.

We paraded back to Sorya Mall for our pizza supper.  Trish said someone at Cornerstone Church had wanted to give for this occasion and it was a real treat for us to see the kids fill up on wings, pizza, soft drinks – things they rarely get to experience.  Two of the boys had birthdays and the restaurant staff all came out singing to them with ice cream cakes. They blew out their candles and everyone had cake for dessert.

One of the new anxiety producing things for the kids is riding escalators.  Going down I had SoKeeA with me and although she had problems with the first flight, by the time we’d gotten to the bottom she was much more practiced and we clapped for her.  Honestly, they were the most orderly, best behaved children, equal to any I’ve met and better than most. They have such patience and never complain or beg. They always just wait until the next fun thing and are ready to smile and give you a hug. 

Goodbyes were said and Savourn took us back to Samaritan House.  I didn’t mind turning in early. The temps have to be in the 90’s during the day and it is easy to get tired and dehydrated.