GETTING ORIENTED

GETTING ORIENTED

Sept. 16-19, 2025

New Home

We are in absolute awe of our unexpected living circumstances!  We arrived about 1:30 in the morning, straight from the airport. I had no idea what to expect, but whatever it was, it wasn't THIS! We are a new couple (not replacing anyone), so they had to arrange for a new unit in the mission.  It is in a beautiful borrey (neighborhood) right by the mission office and mission leaders' area.  It is a 2-story townhome with a big heavy padlocked front gate, private parking area, heavy ornate Cambodian woodwork, lovely sitting area and kitchen, 4 bedrooms/5bathrooms, balcony.  Unbelievable, really!  (Granted the plumbing is second rate and a few small lizards have been our houseguests!) The Clark's had many nice things ready for us: a welcome fruit basket, furniture, small appliances, towels and sheets, a bit of food to start us off.  There was SO MUCH work to get it ready.  It was VERY appreciated!  We have spent time unpacking and making it home vs. a temporary air bnb feel.  Seems surreal.

New Car

Imagine our surprise at the vehicle we were given to use as well!.....a brand new Toyota Fortuner, luxury edition (equivalent of a Toyota ForeRunner or Lexus GX in the U.S.).  (And when I say "brand new," it literally had 7 miles on it!).  I can't believe how spoiled I feel!  A brand new car in this crazy traffic is a BIG trust!  As we have begun driving, especially with helping missionaries and luggage get places, we see some big advantages to the space.  The higher-up frame also makes a lot of sense on some of the muddy roads.  And I just feel more safe in a car that is a bit bigger and higher.  It has a google map display on the front panel, which we use constantly.  Very nice!

3 Days with the Clarks

Elder Lewis Clark and Sister Maureen Clark have taken us underwing for three days.  They are the mission office, housing, and financial coordinators. We spent time going to the mission office and main church building, and then we hit the road.  What great driving trainers!!  The traffic has a certain technique, and they showed us up close how to move slowly and intentionally, how to maneuver through the maze, how to park at the sides of busy roads, how to tip driving helpers, etc.  We would have really struggled without their tutoring!  As we drove along, they pointed out all kinds of tidbits in culture survival 101. 

We went to get passport photos, have keys copied, get nightstands at a furniture store, and drop by the church service center.  At the service center, I was able to purchase the much-desired new dri-stretch garments!  Can't get them yet back home!  And yes, the material is breathable and stretches.  The armholes are bigger and the shoulders thinner - big pluses.  I'm a fan!

We had a BIG coincidence at the service center, on the very first day, by running into Sophaneth Yorn
(aka Nite).  She lived in our ward in Sandy with Lyndi Reed for a year back in 2012!!  WOW!  She heads up the church's humanitarian efforts here in Cambodia.  We may very well be contacting her with for service possibilities.  A tender mercy, for sure!  We also met the bishop and the stake president in our area, both outstanding leaders.  President Seah shared his conversion story as one of the very first members in Cambodia. He definitely has the light of truth in him.

We have enjoyed a couple of early morning walks with the Clarks around our borrey.  Lot of birds were singing. Beautiful, lush greenery everywhere.  A central "park" area with a spa and swimming pool.  Lap of luxury on "this side of the railroad tracks!"  A favorite part is all the people out walking in those early hours, who smile and greet us as we pass.  Such a friendly area!

Our biggest time use was visiting several different grocery stores.  After all, everybody does need to eat! This is the most shopping JIm and I have ever done together!.....that in itself is a new thing! We started with the very modern Aeon mall, unbelievably "not" the typical Cambodian shopping place!   It has all kinds of modern known shops, a whole floor of very nice eating places, an upper floor dedicated to games and children play zones, and even a large grocery store!  It is such a contrast to the little outdoor markets that line the streets of Cambodia.  It is like a giant stamp of westernization upon this struggling country.  Is its influence good or bad?  Hmmm, to be determined! Over the course of three days, we went to more normal grocery stores (Super Duper, Cambodian Super, and Thai Huot).  There is even a “Costco” type store (called Makro) and a "Home Depot" type store (called Global). I quite enjoyed seeing the unique varieties offered in the open, unpackaged meat bins! All the employees greet us in such a genuinely sweet way.  So very polite and respectful! I know we are tapping into the "safe and comfortable world" vs. the outdoor markets that most frequent, but they still have their uniqueness. We will enjoy both! 

Some shopping surprises - food is relatively cheap, except for imported western goods.  That can be very pricey!  We saw a 14.5 lb. turkey for $153!  Hamburger, cheese, certain cookies.....all expensive.  On the other hand, going out to eat at most places is around $2-$3 a person, whether it is a fancy restaurant or an ordinary place.  Meat at Makro comes in open, unpackaged bins!  Just get the amount out you want!  And how about chicken leg claws and boneless duck feet for dinner?!  The fruit is divine, so many varieties.  You have it weighed and labeled before you get to the checkstand to pay.  Some of the fruits we have been enjoying are dragonfruit (3 varieties!), mango, small swirl-cut pineapples, and lychee

We enjoyed two meals with the Clarks at the Aeon Mall.  It is such a fun thing to have so many good eating-out options!  The first place was Chinese, and the other was more Cambodian, served on a sizzling hot plate.  At the very end of the meal as we were leaving, the whole cooking staff gave a slight bow and raised hands - I think they are treating us like dignitaries!  I have thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Clarks.  I feel like we are great friends now, after sharing so much together.

On Thursday, we experienced our first big thunderstorm.  It was sudden and literally burst upon us. Fortunately, we had just got home and could enjoy it from inside safe shelter.  I can't imagine driving in it!  The thunder roared!  We have had other off and on rain, but nothing like that.  Sis. Clark said she has only experienced that level one other time during their year here. Other than that, the weather so far hasn't been too bad!  I was geared up for unbearable heat, but maybe my hot yoga has help me adapt easier!  (And maybe we just haven't hit the really hot season yet!).

The time change hasn't been too difficult to adjust to.  That said, I will have tiredness hit suddenly once in awhile!  But really, I think we have been blessed to change our sleep schedule easily.  13 hours ahead of Utah time really is a shift!  The people here start early - kind of keep with the cycle of the sun.  I would say 5:30 or 6:00 would be ordinary to get up and going.  

Adapting, adjusting, moving forward!