Da plod is how the Cambodians refer to "the flood." There is no F sound or "u" sound (as in sun) in the Khmer language, so this is difficult for them. However, they all pronounce it the same way, so I get it. "Have you see da plod," they ask.
Several of he streets in Battambang were under water, and I wound up walking many blocks with water up to my knees. The roads here are also different. When I went for my afternoon walk, there were streams, up to my mid-claves, that weren't there before. The children were playing in the water, having a great time. I took pictures of them, and they got a kick out of seeing themselves on the screen.
As I was walking this evening, a man pulled up on his motorbike. "Where you go?" he asked. I tried to explain that I was just walking for fun. He said, "You go with me." I smiled, and said, "Thank you, but I'm good (in Khmer). This activity is so confusing to the peasants. They spend all their day toiling away, chopping logs, catching fish, and caring for their family. They can't understand that I want to walk along in the mud and water for nothing.
I asked Laum about the schedule for tomorrow, and he said that we will meet in the morning to discuss it. I thought we were having a school day, but since there is so much flooding, he said that many students might not make it to school. Some kids who don't ride the bus have to swim here, holding up their clothes in a plastic bag. The little children can't swim, and there are snakes in the water, so it is unsafe. The news broadcast lots of footage of the flood. Some people can't leave their homes, and food is being brought to them by aid groups.
Several of he streets in Battambang were under water, and I wound up walking many blocks with water up to my knees. The roads here are also different. When I went for my afternoon walk, there were streams, up to my mid-claves, that weren't there before. The children were playing in the water, having a great time. I took pictures of them, and they got a kick out of seeing themselves on the screen.
As I was walking this evening, a man pulled up on his motorbike. "Where you go?" he asked. I tried to explain that I was just walking for fun. He said, "You go with me." I smiled, and said, "Thank you, but I'm good (in Khmer). This activity is so confusing to the peasants. They spend all their day toiling away, chopping logs, catching fish, and caring for their family. They can't understand that I want to walk along in the mud and water for nothing.
I asked Laum about the schedule for tomorrow, and he said that we will meet in the morning to discuss it. I thought we were having a school day, but since there is so much flooding, he said that many students might not make it to school. Some kids who don't ride the bus have to swim here, holding up their clothes in a plastic bag. The little children can't swim, and there are snakes in the water, so it is unsafe. The news broadcast lots of footage of the flood. Some people can't leave their homes, and food is being brought to them by aid groups.
Sounds like my basement this weekend. Water up to my knees!
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