The Khmer Buddhists who make up the vast majority of Cambodians generally cremate their dead and then inter them in stupas at local pagodas. Some keep the ashes in their homes or spread them at a significant spot, but most inter them in stupas. The most elaborate stupas are reserved for relics or royalty, such…
Category: Daily life in Cambodia
Briquettes from Coconut Waste
Last year, Charlotte was studying environmental enterprises at school and watched the video about a new business in Sierra Leone that transforms coconut shells into briquettes. This manages coconut waste, prevents deforestation, and provides a charcoal alternative that burns cleaner. In 2021, I wrote about Grilling on our Pot… What I didn’t share is that…
ផ្កាម្លិះ | Jasmine
Phnom Penh has no shortage of olfactory stimulation. Most of which might most charitably be described as pungent. Fermented fish, durian, open sewage systems, and garbage sitting out in the tropical heat are smells that were uncomfortable when I first came. Of course there are also many delightful smells – the scent of rain in…
ក្រូចថ្លុង | Pomelo
Pomelo is a large citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia that bears more than a passing resemblance to Grapefruit. However, Pomelo has a light green skin, pale yellow flesh, and – often – a thick layer of pith. It’s citrus flavor is gentle and mild, without the acidity that I usually expect from citrus. Pomelo…
Grocery Shopping at Boeung Tumpun Market
Last week, I read a Times magazine article which shared that 25% of all dollars spent on groceries in the US are spent at Walmart. This made me realize that it’s been awhile since I last posted about shopping at our local market – two years – and I thought I’d share some more about…
បោះអង្គុញ | Throw Seeds (Angkunh)
Throw Seeds is a traditional Khmer New Year game that’s played with the large, glossy seeds of what Cambodians call ‘Forest Tamarind’. These large seeds are called Angkunh. Angkunh seeds have the same lacquered feel as domestic Tamarind seeds but are magnitudes larger and have a flattened shape. The game is played played between two…
ល្បែងវាយក្អម | Smash the Pot
One of the most popular traditional Khmer New Year games is – quite simply – called Smash the Pot. It involves hanging thin clay pots filled with flour (or, in the city, baby powder) and a prize of some sort (usually tamarind candy) on a rope. The aim of the game is to smash one…
No Longer Undocumented.
Caleb is no longer an undocumented person! After many weeks, visits, reminders and some financial incentive, the local authority has issued his birth certificate in Khmer language and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has translated it into English! Next stop – the US Embassy for passport and Certificate of Birth Abroad. I just submitted not only applications…
Maternity Leave and Orientation
Orienting new international workers is my favorite part of our role as Reps. Yes, its very busy with many trainings and logistics, but the energy they bring to our team is infectious, as is the joy of the national staff when they see, again, that international people really do want to come to Cambodia. As…
A Tuesday in May
It’s 3:30 in the morning and he’s cooing at the diaper changing table nightlight. After babbling to it for a few minutes he bursts out in his biggest smile – the one he usually saves for when Charles is wearing glasses. I’m not sure if its the delight of the shadows or a purely internal…