Cambodia Day 9

Doctor Gutmann, at your service. I took the initiative today, after examining several kids' feet, to drench toes and fingers in hydrogen peroxide, apply antibiotic cream, and wrap wounds with band-aids. Not even a flinch when the peroxide bubbled out of control...it didn't even phase the four boys. I'm not surprised their feet and hands are damaged, for they are constantly climbing trees, playing soccer, and peeling their own fruit with knives. It's just the way it's always been for them...they get hurt, they either brush it off or take care of it themselves.

Brusha, brusha, brusha...
The kids do not, under any circumstance, brush their teeth. It is not enforced, and the kids, especially the littles, are not disciplined enough to keep track of a toothbrush and toothpaste, let alone brush regularly, in a house of 70+ kids. So...Lisamarie handed them out when they were bathing today. It worked! I just hope and pray that the orphanage helpers regularly remind them to brush.

On our lunch break, again...complete silence as we are escorted through the town. We continue to take it all in. I feel at peace during our tuk-tuk rides-I don't even notice the excessive noise anymore. Road rules do not exist and neither do carseats. Newborns and little ones ride on laps in the front seats!

Afternoon yoga...wait, let me rephrase that...hot yoga so hot that beads of sweat drip from your forehead into your eyes, your shirt ever so still because you'd have to literally peel it off. We did some yoga again today at the request of Kia, the little boy that appears to be a pro at headstands. We have a blast doing yoga in the church...a little "tree"here, a little "warrior" there...priceless. What do they love? Crow/Bakasana. ;)

The kids at the orphanage can come and go as they please, one in one out. Anna and I decided to take a couple boys on a bike ride today. We didn't have to sign any consent, we didn't even have to tell anyone we were leaving. Why would we? We took them for a ride, bought them some candy at a little stand, and enjoyed the breeze.

Never underestimate the power of the Cambodian sunshine.I am on fire. I am not complaining, but man, the heat! The sun! It doesn't even phase the kids. I went boldly to Cambodia with fair skin and I'm coming back boldly kinda burned...haven't had a sunburn like this since I was 10 in Florida. I have learned to embrace the heat and sun on this trip.

Hin, love of my Cambodian life, has grown on me in the past 48 hours. I am going to miss him so much. Those big brown eyes, the wife beater and skinny little arms...I have already dreamed about him. I don't want to leave him...my heart hurts.

Appreciation Note:
How much do you love your coffee maker? Well, Lisamarie and I really had to work hard to keep our habit satisfied. We just couldn't fathom swallowing another drop of guesthouse coffee this morning, so I picked up a bag of ground coffee from the supermarket. Silly Jen thought we could mix it with water...nope. When we asked for assistance we received a miniature butterfly net, literally. Let the science experiment begin.