Slumming it on Saturday

Seeing friends, going swimming, going to church, eating good food and exploring the city is a normal weekend for us. We decided that this weekend was going to be a bit different. We wanted to spend the time we normally have for ourselves with others.

So the day started off with us going on a moto to a slum near the riverside. From the road it looks like a run down flat complex, and then you go behind and it’s another world of shanty style houses. Some wooden, some concrete and some with roofs and others without.

We were greeted with smiles from the people living there; they seemed intrigued to know what we were doing. What were this white, wealthy couple doing walking around their slum through the wet, squidgy mud?

We walked through the market and met a family standing outside their home. They talked with us some and stared at us lots. We asked if we could take a photo of them and their children posed for us with delight.

We continued to walk around the soggy, muddy streets and greeted people with our smiles as they did back us. We were shocked by the mess of the place and seeing sights of houses that had been demolished, leaving only the foundations and damaged belongings of the people who had once lived there.

We walked on and saw groups of prostitutes relaxing and playing cards with their faces painted white. Dave asked if he could take a photo of them and they quickly responded with a firm but friendly “No!”.

We walked on and met groups of children and their families. These children looked so pleased to see us. Dave chatted with a guy who wanted to practice speaking English while I played with five adorable children who just wanted some attention. They swung off my arms and I chatted to them in my limited Khmer. What fun we had had but unfortunately it was time for us to go.

What a mix of emotions that went through me as we left that place and I knew that we’d be back some time.