Exploring Sihanoukville, Cambodia

I had many opportunities to explore the city of Sihanoukville, Cambodia since I did not go on an overnight MEDCAP.  A 20 minute boat ride takes us to the pier and then a 10 minute bus ride drops us off at the Golden Lion Traffic Circle.  Getting off the bus proved to be crazy.  There were so many people trying to sell bracelets or tuk tuk rides that you physically had to push your way through them to be able to go anywhere, even to just get off the bus.  It was a bit scary the first time, but now I don’t make eye contact, hold on tight to my bag, and am really good at just saying no.  What’s funny is the people ask, “later, later” or “if you change you’re mind, then you’ll come to me.”  I just repeat my previous no.  If you agree to later, they may follow you around for a while.  I said no and still had a tuk tuk driver follow me around for over an hour.  I now fully understand the tourist t-shirts in Cambodia that say “No tuk tuk today or tomorrow.”

One of the saddest things in Cambodia is the street children selling bracelets and sunglasses.  They are so young, but that’s part of the gimmick.  It’s so much harder to say no to a child.  I’ve heard many street children have a sponsor who pays only for English speaking classes.  Other than that, they do not regularly attend school because they are selling stuff.   Common phrases you may hear from them include, “Open your heart, Open your wallet” and “You lie to me, you lie to yourself” (most often heard after explaining you have no money).  M'lop Tapang is an organization in the city working to stop the exploitation of children.  They operate a restaurant and shop.

On my first liberty day my liberty buddy and I took a tuk tuk due to a torrential downpour.  Our driver was a little creepy and definitely listening in to our conversation.  At one point I said, “My dad would have a panic attack if he knew what I was doing right now” because we were just two girls exploring Cambodia.  The driver began laughing before we did.  Then he just kept laughing long after it was funny.  At any rate, he definitely overcharged us with a whopping $4, but the drive was worth it just to be out of the downpour.  The first things we bought at the market were ponchos!  They are a must have during the Cambodian rainy season; an umbrella just won’t cut it.  Afterwards, there were surprisingly many days without rainfall.

In the city there are several places offering massages, pedicures, and manicures at very affordable prices.  I’ve even seen advertisements for fish massages, where you stick your feet in a container of water and the fish eat the dead skin.  There was no way I was going to get a fish massage!  I did get a couple of full body and foot massages though.  During the foot massage, the masseuse remarked on how white my legs were.  In the states this would be an insult, however here white skin is considered very pretty.  Skin whitening cream is commonly found down the lotion aisle in supermarkets here.

I had the opportunity to see two Buddhist temples in Sihanoukville, Wat Leu and Wat Kraom.  Wat Leu was located at the highest point in Sihanoukville and offered views of the entire city.  There I was able to talk with a monk who’s been everywhere, from France to DC to Target and Starbucks.  A lot of monkeys were roaming around the temple and I got the opportunity to feed one of them a banana.  In fact I just starting walking toward them with a banana and a few of them charged me.  One reach up, nicely took the banana from me, and proceeded to peel it open.  However, later another one tried to jump on me.  That did not go over so well, but thankfully I left the temple unscathed. 

I also made the trip to the Kbal Chay Waterfalls.  The falls were gorgeous.  However, there was a good bit of trash by US standards.  A good bit of trash is the norm in Cambodia, where the sanitation system isn’t first rate.  At the falls there was a chair covered with flowers that you could sit in to take photos, but you had to pay use it.  Also, several people were selling food.  They would walk around with a dish on their head filled with their wares.  I waded into the falls for a photo opportunity.  As I was coming back, one of the ladies was kind enough to assist me as the rocks were quite slippery.

My time on the USNS Mercy is coming to an end, as I leave on August 11.  I am so appreciative of the opportunity to see more of the world and provide health care at the same time.  I would like to thank everyone aboard the ship.  It’s inspirational to hear health care providers taking a month without pay to serve people in need.  Also, thank you to all the military members for all  you do to keep us safe.  I know the USNS Mercy is a “cruise ship” compared to the average Navy ship, but I’m ready for a change of pace (aka being able to sit up in bed and not having to wear shoes in the shower).  Best of luck to everyone remaining on the ship and have fun at the steel beach picnic on the flight deck!