Takeo, My Home Away From Home

I went down to Takeo to help out with the training. The K6's were doing their practicum and Peace Corps needed a few volunteers to come down, observe their teaching techniques and provide feedback. They are an amazing group and I'm so excited to see what new things they will create this year.
While I was in Takeo I decided this would be a good time to visit my training host family. After this whole year I've kept in close touch with them and in some ways I still feel like I'm apart of their family. Sure enough, when I arrived they welcomed me with hugs and smiles. It was a great comfort being back at the house where it all started. I'll always remember the first day I moved in and how I sat alone in my room thinking that my journey in Cambodia is truly about to begin.

My host mother and I have this bond when it comes to her cooking in the kitchen. I learned a great deal of Khmer words as she cooked and I would ask questions about how to say certain food items and such. I know it's weird but when I was back at the house and she started cooking there was this aroma that filled the air that took me back to my first day at the house. It's like I was able to familiarize my surroundings all by this particular type of smell and if I were to smell it again ten years from now I know it will bring me back to reminisce my days in Cambodia.

I spent the day with them and we talked about how our lives have been. It's really cool being able to know more Khmer after a year and being able to communicate with them on a much better level. I found out that my host sister is one month pregnant, my host dad's motor bike business is doing really well and my other host sisters are ready to start a new school year. I might not be able to talk to them or see them as often as I would like but just like my family and friends from back home and even my friends here in Cambodia, they'll always have a warm and special place in my heart. :)