Cambodia is exactly like I left it - maybe more built up in some areas of the city and more poor out in the villages. Some quick facts: 40% of the population lives below the poverty line; around 70% can't read; and the average family makes $275 a year. But to quote Francis Chan, 'When you've actually hugged poverty, and laughed with poverty, that's different. You're different. Its no longer distant people that are starving, its your friends.' And its true.
There aren't any volunteer teams in, but there are 7 funny, quality, scientific folks from 4 countries in doing various research so our mealtimes are a blast. I'm still getting oriented and setting up my language lessons so I don't have many stories. Most of my stories include wondering around to look at projects, meeting old friends, and going to the city or market to get various things for my little house. But tomorrow may be a different story - we're killing our own turkeys to prepare for Thanksgiving!
I'll try to post pictures of a few things soon, but the internet is quirky (I don't have it at my house - I'm using the office wireless from the dining hall.) I'm not quite over jet lag, so its 8pm and I'm headed to bed! We have this all nat-ur-al alarm clock with built in snooze... Ming's chickens start at 4:30, restart at 5:30, and go strong at 6:30. I guess I'm meant to be a morning person after all. Ugh :)