January 30

Two more temples and a visit to a silk making workshop.  The two temples were much more enjoyable to visit because there were almost no people at them and they were also much smaller than the ones yesterday.  It never ceases to amaze me that over a thousand years ago they had the skill to design, engineer and construct such huge and intricate structures.  I'm not sure we could do it today - not to mention not afford to do so.  At the first one I spoke to a number of the kids again and bought a reproduction of the Lonely Planet Guide to Vietnam for $5.00.  A couple of the group members were taking photos of me surrounded by kids because they seemed ot think that it was quite funny how it happened everywhere we stopped.  The main reason I believe is because I talk to them and answer their questions whether I buy anything or not while the others in the group usually just ignore them and keep on walking.  On the way back I convinced the guide to stop at one of the markets we passed on the way out.  I don't know why he wouldn't have automatically taken us to such places. 

I had hoped to connect to the internet between visits but my little camera's battery wore down and I had to remain in the room for two hours to baby sit it while it recharged.  This is one of those rooms where you have to place your room key in a slot in the wall to turn the power on so I couldn't leave and still charge the battery.

On the way to the silk workshop we saw several small motorcycles carrying pigs (some dead, some alive) on the back.  En route to the butcher I presume.  We also saw some with whole families of up to four or five riding on the same motorcycle.  Only the father driving sometimes wears a helmet.  earlier this morning I saw a man with a young child, no more than three at most, riding behind him with nothing holding him on.  Scary.

The silk workshop was interesting as the guide showed us every step in the process including the worms in each stage of their metamorphosis.  Women working on some of the more intricate and elaborate designs can only complete a half meter per day.  Some of it is incredibly  detailed, precise and tedious work - making sure 5,000 or more strands are placed in the proper spaces.  Some designs require over 40,000 threads.  Small wonder that the fine silk (as opposed to raw silk) garments are so very expensive.

We stopped at another small market on the way back to the hotel and I finally had an opportunity to sample  different local delicacy - roasted or fried water bugs.  I think that the ones I had and bought (80 for $1.00) we fried in a light oil with chilies.  They are tasty once you get rid of the legs and the hard shell of the top body and I quite liked them.  The only problem with them is that small pieces of the harder parts get lodged beneath my dentures and are rather "buggy" LOL.  No one else would try them and the guide told me I was very brave.

At breakfast this morning I joined the line of Japanese and Koreans waiting for freshly made soup.  You tell the chef whether you want broad noodles or rice noodles (glass noodles) and then what other ingredients you wish to have.  I had a bit of everything - beef, pork, chicken balls, bean sprouts and celery.  It was pretty good but I think it would improve greatly as the morning went on and more and more vegetables were cooked in the stock.  As I was there shortly after the restaurant opened the stock was still a little weak.  Lunch was cashews as I had to stay in the room.  Dinners was another very weak chicken soup with a few vegetables and then a very mild, approaching bland, fish curry.  The water buds were, by far, the most tasty food I had all day.

Now I must go and wrestle with my suitcase once again as we fly to Phnom Penh in the morning.  Hopefully the check in will go a little more smoothly this time.