From India to Cambodia!

Hello Everyone!
If you follow the news, you've probably noticed a lot of talk about flash flooding in India and earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons in Southeast Asia! So, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm safe and totally excited to be in Cambodia! I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand on October 1st where I experienced a bit of culture shock. Just walking into the huge expanse of the Bangkok International Airport with its evident modernity left me staring in amazement. After spending three months in India, I had forgotten in many ways what it was like to drive down the freeway (paved and equipped with lanes and traffic laws!) and experience silence (no honking!). Bangkok (at least where I ended up staying) seemed to be tourist central with scantily clad westerners, shopping galore, and hip night clubs playing familiar tunes. To be honest, I could hardly wait to be on the road to Cambodia! After experiencing and seeing the things I did in India, I realized that I'm not even close to ready to come back to this sort of Western culture. On a positive note, though, the restaurants and roadside food stands were not only cool but had delicious and fresh food that I was totally jazzed to try! At this point, anything that isn't masala or dahl sounds amazing! My first meal was (of course) pad thai (which was delicious!). I also couldn't stay away from the fresh fruit juice stands.....I had dragonfruit, starfruit, and mango! Yumm! I also found a falafel stand which was (obviously) fantastic! Ok....I apoligize to those who don't share my passion for food...but it really was that good! :)
After a day and a half in Bangkok, I was on the road to Siem Reap, Cambodia! Being in Cambodia is really like a dream. After arriving yesterday afternoon, I immediately set off for a walk through the countryside. I had to wade through the reddish murky waters that composed part of the dirt road I was on which left the Khmer people smiling and laughing! The people here are so friendly and always willing to exchange a big warm smile or laughter. I was greeted by many of the adorable children who seemed excited to practice their English "hello!". I also walked past several volleyball games that I was tempted to join until I realized that they were incredible players! The Cambodian landscape is truly beautiful with brilliant green rice fields that extend to the horizon....walking back at sunset and watching the sun and clouds descend upon the changing shades of green was really a treat!
Today, I scored a complimentary bicycle for the day with my purchase of breakfast (a pineapple pancake with honey). I made it to the end of the block when I realized that the streets in town were completely flooded! So, I got off my bike and waded through knee-deep waters like the rest of the Khmer people! The cars, motercycles, bikes, tuk-tuks, people, etc didn't let the water stop them, so neither did I! The Siem Reap River has completely overflowed its banks because of the typhoon and consequently has turned many of the streets into small tributaries! So, I spent most of the day wading through these streets and exploring the small shops and restaurants that compose the market area. While this flooding has put the rice harvest in jeopardy (not a good thing!), it has increased fishing opportunities! You see people fishing everywhere and ( according to one Khmer man I met on a bicycle the other evening) this has left people very happy! I also saw many children playing in the waters and having a fantastic time! I was amazed to see such a positive outlook on something that would be considered a catastrophe back home. I'm planning on visiting Angkor Wat tomorrow which is considered another wonder of the world (like the Taj Mahal). I'm really looking forward to it and I'll keep you posted on what I see! I love and miss you all!
~Rachel