OH, THOSE PHNOM PENH TUK TUK’S!
Sunday blessings were upon us this morning as John and I survived yet another Tuk Tuk ride through the streets of Phnom Penh. (OMG!)
We arrived at The Catholic Church of the CHILD JESUS in one piece (thank goodness!) only to find out the mass was not going to be in English. John was ready to leave (cuz who can understand a mass in Khmer) but I was intrigued and wanted to stay. There were things that were different at this church!
Next, there were no pews to sit on! Instead, there were mats on the floor, some cushions, some little wooden benches (I’m talking WAY SMALL), and some stools. That’s it! Have you ever? (Still talking to the Catholics out there!)
It was a very simple church, but the stained glass above the altar was beautiful. And the altar was beautiful as well. Oh, and there was incense burning in front of the altar!
We learned from Father after mass that these kids were Aids orphans. They were looked down upon and lived away from the others and had their own separate school. How sad is that? Of course, they were the most well behaved children there.
John got a kick out of watching this young man (perhaps a teacher) and the little girl sitting next to him. They shared the hymnal and it was delightful watching their interaction throughout mass.
The kids that brought up the offertory were YOUNG and had no adults with them. They were so poised and seemed so HOLY!!!
And we saw where two rivers converge (the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap River). Can you see the totally different water color out there?
As we were walking up to the Royal Palace, a Tuk Tuk driver told us it was closed for lunch and wouldn’t open back up until 2:30. (Ooops, I remember reading that!) He offered to take us to see four places, by Tuk Tuk. We figured, “What the heck? It’s hot, and we love navigating those streets!” So off we went—first stop was the The Golden Boat.
Next was Friendly Monkeys. It didn’t take long before we realized that this wasn’t the tour of top attractions! Oh well, like I said, it was hot and we like to see the sights along the roads! (And the monkeys were cute!)
But once we were at the top, it was beautiful!
We loved the area! (Matt and Val—we hope we have time to take you there next week!) And what better way to end the evening than a delicious Indian dinner. (We walked home and did not pass one massage shop!) 😳😳😳 Namaste!!!!
We arrived at The Catholic Church of the CHILD JESUS in one piece (thank goodness!) only to find out the mass was not going to be in English. John was ready to leave (cuz who can understand a mass in Khmer) but I was intrigued and wanted to stay. There were things that were different at this church!
First off, we had to take our shoes off before entering. Have any of you Catholics out there EVER heard of this?
Next, there were no pews to sit on! Instead, there were mats on the floor, some cushions, some little wooden benches (I’m talking WAY SMALL), and some stools. That’s it! Have you ever? (Still talking to the Catholics out there!)
It was a very simple church, but the stained glass above the altar was beautiful. And the altar was beautiful as well. Oh, and there was incense burning in front of the altar!
When mass began and the servers and priest entered the church, the entire congregation sang their hearts out. Take note of Father (who was also barefoot) and the kids sitting to the right of the altar.
We learned from Father after mass that these kids were Aids orphans. They were looked down upon and lived away from the others and had their own separate school. How sad is that? Of course, they were the most well behaved children there.
John got a kick out of watching this young man (perhaps a teacher) and the little girl sitting next to him. They shared the hymnal and it was delightful watching their interaction throughout mass.
The kids that brought up the offertory were YOUNG and had no adults with them. They were so poised and seemed so HOLY!!!
We are so glad we stayed! We spoke with the priest after the mass and found out he was half American (Minnesota) and half French Canadian. He had only recently been assigned to this church and admitted he had to read the entire mass and write out his sermon as he was not totally fluent yet in Khmer. We surely couldn’t tell! He was one interesting guy!
We put our lives on the line again when we boarded yet another Tuk Tuk to take us to the Riverside. We planned on going in the Royal Palace.
John and I totally agree that our all time FAVORITE thing to do in Asia is to be driven around the area! The sights you see are unbelievable! Today, we saw a bride and her groom.
And we saw where two rivers converge (the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap River). Can you see the totally different water color out there?
As we were walking up to the Royal Palace, a Tuk Tuk driver told us it was closed for lunch and wouldn’t open back up until 2:30. (Ooops, I remember reading that!) He offered to take us to see four places, by Tuk Tuk. We figured, “What the heck? It’s hot, and we love navigating those streets!” So off we went—first stop was the The Golden Boat.
Next was Friendly Monkeys. It didn’t take long before we realized that this wasn’t the tour of top attractions! Oh well, like I said, it was hot and we like to see the sights along the roads! (And the monkeys were cute!)
Our third stop was to The Golden Temple or Old City. It was neat to see. People were inside making offerings and monks were chanting.
Our last stop was to Wat Phnom, the only one on our tour that was actually a “must see” in Phnom Penh! We walked up 75 steps to get to the top!
But once we were at the top, it was beautiful!
Then, happily, it was time to endure yet another Tuk Tuk ride home, for a bit of relaxing poolside!
Man, did that feel good! Later, we decided to explore an area called Basaac Lane that was supposed to be a lively strip of micro bars! It certainly was!
We loved the area! (Matt and Val—we hope we have time to take you there next week!) And what better way to end the evening than a delicious Indian dinner. (We walked home and did not pass one massage shop!) 😳😳😳 Namaste!!!!
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