We Finally Made It!

We're here at last! You'd think now that I'm here I would be used to the idea that I'm going to live here, but ever since being here I feel like I've been in a dream even more. It's just too surreal. When we stepped out of the airport we were greeted by lots of smiling faces. Pres. and Sis. Smedley, the mission couples, and office missionaries were there to greet us and take us to our home. They're super friendly and warm. I already told some of you this, but boy are there some cute missionaries and Cambodian men here! Whoa! That's all I'll say (for Shawn's sake :) )! Also, the weather. It is hot, hot, hot outside. However, on Sunday, to my great surprise I was freezing all day long. The church we were in was freezing as well as our house. They have air conditioners that just blast out freezing cold air, and I was lucky enough to sit right by one everytime! But don't get me wrong, the second you walk outside you're sweating. 

On our way to the home, I saw this policman. I don't know why but I found it so funny. If only there could always be relaxed policemen just sitting under an umbrella! I've been amazed to see how many policemen there are here. On every corner of the street there's one there. However, they obviously don't enforce too many things because there are NO street laws at all. People just ride their little motos or bikes wherever they feel like it. Some of them even have 3 or 4 people on them too. As we were driving I saw these little elementary aged kids riding their bikes right in the middle of all this mayhem. It was so scary! 

 This is our home! It's really quite beautiful. This is the gate where there is a 24/7 guard. It's really comforting knowing there's always a guard.

 These next pictures are of the outside of the house.

 This is the dining room where we eat. As you can see, the woodwork all over the house is exquisite.

 This is the kitchen. It's nice but I have to say it smells so bad to me. I don't like being in there because it smells so bad. Oh, and last night I saw a gecko in there. It scared me so bad I ran down and told mom and she simply said, "And?" I didn't know what to say! I guess they just leave and don't hurt anything but the bugs.

 This is the living room attached to mom and dad's bedroom.

 Mom and dad's bedroom area.

 This is the view from the kitchen window. As you can see we are VERY close to our neighbor's!

 This is tuk tuk. They're so fun! They're like little carriages. We rode one to some small shops and looked around a quilt store, some nick nack stores, and some clothes stores. It was fun to see all the beautiful things people make!

 

 That night we went to dinner with all of the senior couples to Steve's Steakhouse. It was kind of funny to go to a steakhouse owned by an American for one of our first meals. I was so tired though that I felt kind of nauseous and my appetite wasn't all there. I was beyond excited when we finally went home to bed! Well, there you have a run down of our first day in Cambodia!