ស្រុកមង្គលបូរី

I'm in Mongkol Borei at my new school.  My apartment is bigger than I expected.  A large wooden door with flowers carved into it opens to a living space and bedroom with a kitchen and bathroom in the back.  After I unpacked and killed the family of roaches living under my bed, I felt right at home.  A parade of school children came by to check out the white person and clean my bathroom and kitchen. 

The school is located near a couple rice paddies, at the end of a dirt (mud now) road.  Small wooden houses, propped on stilts, dot the countryside.  Family members hang in hammocks underneath the houses.  Ducks, cows, chickens, and dogs roam around, looking for food.  I restrained myself from picking up one of the stray dogs or cats today.  But, it's only a matter of time.  I do have two pets already.  Frederico and Juan are the geckos who crawl on my walls. 

I am a bit of a spectacle now; although, I'm sure the villagers will get used to seeing me.  I explored the area this morning.  Children shouted, "Hello!" and giggled as I walked by.  There is a small grocery stall about 10 minutes from the school where I bought some noodles and soda. 

I keep hearing chanting and music, and I located the source today.  There's a monastery about 20 minutes from here.  It's located upon a hill with many steps leading up to a huge golden Buddha statue.