Cats and Rats and Elephants

DATELINE: July 21, 2013
Patricia E Lyon

Following a certain rat incident, which I had better not tell you about, Sky took us by tuk tuk to the Soup Dragon Restaurant. Not far from our hotel.

We climbed the steps in the French colonial building to a perch near the edge so we could watch everything happening below. Deanna ordered fried tofu in tomato sauce. Sam got something like pad thai but with more tomato sauce. I thought I was getting a cup cake with vegetables inside, but wondered if I got the pancake with vegetables inside instead. All plates were decorated with a carrot that was cut into some kind of wonderful design that I do not know how to do. We had ice lemon juice.

We observed that the once quiet and dark streets of Siem Reap were now packed with dazed tourists, buses, tuk tuks, Lexus, Land Rovers and tour guides. A giant screen TV played a continuous loop, advertising a light show about Khmer history. Neon signs lit the way. The drums of Apsara dancers competed with the rest of the noise. This used to be low tourist season.

At my feet were two Asian cats. Thin. Long. Every bone showing. Golden eyes bulging. One great with child (or many). Despite Deanna's disapproval, I fed her some of my (sorry kitty) vegetarian meal. She stood up on her hind legs and took it politely with her paws. She declined the tofu. I whispered words of comfort and assurance to her as we left.

Oh, the elephants? Deanna and Sam are going to Phnom Penh for meetings, and there are always elephants going up and down the busiest streets. I do not know why.

Meetings are about: Projects at K School, Khnar Thmei Church projects, students and graduation celebration, mosquito nets, check in with Cambodia Methodist Center, and more to follow.