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Living an expat life

20 February 2012 14 Comments

As I sip Chinese tea sitting in my balcony, I try to look back at the time spent in this country.

I live in an urbanized village of Siem Reap, Cambodia. There is no electricity in the area for last 3 hours and I am told that around 6 years back they had electricity for only 3-4 hours a day. It’s quite an improvement, they say. The morning is not very hot … a cloudy day again.

street food in cambodia @lemonicks.com

Awesome Sun emerging, overpowering the dark night.

The tea is prepared on a small gas camp stove; the only stove I have for cooking. I gaze into my cup. The tea is almost colorless and tasteless without milk or sugar… does it remind me of something? Is it like my life here in Cambodia?

Negotiating tuk-tuks, laundry, cleaning, buying food/grocery, cooking (from tea to a basic meal) & managing with just one stove & just one vessel, 2 plates, 2 spoons and a fork sometimes question my decision to volunteer here. Why am I here and what am I achieving? It’s not a very hip thing as it looks like from outside, especially if you have to manage every single thing with your limited budget, resources & time.

There is something in the air which makes me feel lethargic. I am tired, always tired… from waking up early for the school till I finally go to bed at night. Back in India, I don’t remember waking up early everyday for someone who won’t even remember me after a few months.

I am not a tourist here but I am not a local either. Locals treat me as tourists and the tourists see me as a local, going to local market to buy vegetables. I feel like a torn person who has lost his identity.
The locals’ behaviour baffles me as well. At times they look confused, and at others they are street smart to make as much money as possible. Sometimes when tuk-tuks quote $5 for a distance of 3 kilometers, I prefer to walk… reeling under scorching Sun. It has tanned me so much that I can’t recognize myself!

I am not backing off. I am trying to soak in the local culture as much as possible. This weekend I’ve booked myself for a cooking class to learn some Khmer cuisines. Let’s see how it goes. I have already learnt the counting till 5, some greetings and names of a few ’safe’ dishes which I order for dinner.

There is something which keeps me going.

The people want to learn, want to work and earn a livelihood. Most of them are simple and humble. They work hard to make both ends meet. And they appreciate any kind of help that comes their way. The cruel history of this place and the pain people have endured, saddens me.

At school, everyone eagerly waits for me. Everyday the students as well as the teacher look forward to learn something new from me. And I think that’s what should matter. I am sincerely trying to teach them things with a hope that it will be etched in their memory and they may remember me for that.

Now I see a bright Sun emerging, overpowering the dark night, spreading its Sunshine to bring us a bright day ahead.

sunrise in cambodia @lemonicks.com

A bright day to start with.

It’s another 3 weeks before I’ll be home.Till then I am living an experience.

P.S.- I wrote this when I was a bit low during my volunteering period in Cambodia. Thought of posting it now.
If you want to travel with me on my journeys, you can join me on my Facebook travel page and check out my Twitter account.

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14 Comments »

Mridula said:

Thanks for sharing this from the heart!

# 20 February 2012 at 9:16 PM

Nisha (author) said:

@Mridula,
Thanks Mridula. It was during one of the weak moments.

# 20 February 2012 at 9:52 PM

Hardika said:

Thats a touchy story entirely ,, but must say,, love ur attitude n kickass will,, wish u luck

# 20 February 2012 at 10:05 PM

suranga said:

Those
who have lost
so much light in their lives,
often seek
a refuge house
with a lit-up window
guiding them.

The path is tough,
because the house
needs its own generated light,
which must come from within.

You were the house
for your friends
in Siem Reap,
because
they saw the light
in your eyes…..

# 20 February 2012 at 10:45 PM

PN Subramanian said:

Yes the children would definitely remember you and you too would cherish your experiences,despite the discomforts you underwent. Hats off to you.

# 20 February 2012 at 11:30 PM

Siddhartha Joshi said:

Really interesting story Nisha, am sure it was an experience to remember for long…

# 21 February 2012 at 2:55 AM

sujatha sathya said:

you are TRULY living an experience and am i all jealous of you now or what!!!! Nisha, you are so luckyyyyy

# 21 February 2012 at 12:10 PM

Rahul said:

Nisha, this reminds me of my stay in Patna two years back where I spent 8 months alone, doing my own cooking and taking care of my needs with just one electric cooker, one plate n two spoons! The learning one gets in such situations is just phenomenal.
Best of luck

# 21 February 2012 at 1:34 PM

Niranjan said:

Beautifully written. Am sure its an awesome experience which you will cherish for a long time.

# 21 February 2012 at 3:11 PM

sudhir said:

I knew straight away it must have been of those moments you feel low. It only makes you human right? I am sure your are better fighting and have lots to write. Have a nice time, need I repeat? “Things you do is just out of the world”

# 21 February 2012 at 5:36 PM

Connie said:

This is an excellent sharing of your experiences- there were parts of it I could nod knowingly- as you were able to describe some of the same emotions I have had at times- the not being a tourist and yet not being a local bit. I loved the way you ended it- because that is what gives it all the meaning.

You brought tears to my eyes- you really are admirable!

# 22 February 2012 at 8:29 AM

kavitasaharia said:

This reminds me so much of my days at some very interior parts of Arunachal Pradesh .

# 23 February 2012 at 8:29 AM

Dark Knight said:

Wow, very nice story Nisha! You’re truly living the life that I want to live!

# 24 February 2012 at 10:57 PM

Anu said:

lovely post, Nisha… straight from the heart! i had been wondering what it must have been like, to volunteer there, and now i can get a better idea.. kudos to you for doing this!

# 26 February 2012 at 2:48 PM