One of the things I really appreciate about a lot of people we've met in Cambodia is their patience. Sometimes it throws me off. ("That person's about to get hit by a truck on their moto and he doesn't even flinch?!") More often, I am challenged by the ability to wait and extend understanding of circumstances beyond one's control, rather than being so quick to resort to crisis-mode. On our bus ride out of town last week the bus literally circled the station for 1 hour until we finally, slowly, started making our way out of town 1.5 hours late. We demand an explanation, immediately!! And yet the Cambodians in the seats in front of us and behind us just laughed and joked, "coming and going, coming and going!"
Prey Veng is what I would currently be quick to call: crisis mode. The flood waters are covering 90% of the province. Almost every village that we've passed is accessible only by boat. The cows and water buffalo that normally reside below peoples' houses (which are built on stilts) are tied up along the very edges of the road, gnawing at any remaining grass. The water reaks of the sewage within. Vast expanses of rice fields are totally submerged, and I'm worrying even though our food supply is not at all dependent on one field of rice. Like most of Prey Veng's rice farmers.
Over the last few days people gather regularly along bridges and waterways to watch the flow. To comment on its rising or receding. But more often: to fish! Food carts selling steamed cobs of corn and little baked breads suddenly have appeared along stretches of water. People gather, laughing, eating, fishing, swimming, stuffing sytrofoam down their pants to float in the water. Boys yanking snakes out of the water and tossing them on screaming girls. Back flips out of trees. Mobs of people enjoying some family time.
I know there are discomforts and anxieties. People are quick to talk about those as well. But rather than resorting to complaint and anger, I am again challenged by the grace to accept circumstance and make the best of it while still smiling.
