Hilda and Larry's Visit Part 1

Hello to all,

I've decided to try and write a little at a time to tell everyone about Hilda and Larry's visit.  So Hilda is Shawn's mom and Larry is Shawn's cousin.  Today was their first full day in Cambodia and they are doing great.  Larry has so much energy and is willing to try and do just about anything.  Hilda is too although the heat is tough.  She's had a lot of new experiences already.  She got a little confused about the mosquito net over her bed and asked if she was just supposed to cover up with one, like a blanket.  She was a little concerned about it smothering her but was vastly relieved to learn that it simply was draped around and over the bed. 

Poor Hilda was so tired when she arrived but she hung on until the evening.  She even managed to try a new food.  The fruit above tasted much better after we peeled it.

Larry was fine though and took to Cambodia beer like a veteran traveler!

Hilda and Larry's first tuk-tuk ride.  Hilda calls it a toot toot.  It's so funny we don't correct her!
Shawn followed us on his motorcycle.

All was well after a few margarita's!
So we went to the National Museum and after seeing all of these beautiful statues and carvings Hilda's favorite piece was this huge urn.  Turns out that back in the day...12 or 13th century...they would put the deceased King inside this urn in a kneeling position.  He stayed like this for 3 months then they cremated him inside the urn and the ashes fell out of the bottom.  These ashes were then placed in what is called a stupa where they rest in hopeful peace.  Larry and I decided that Hilda just can't pull herself away from funerals or anything relating to funerals, even in Cambodia.  She looked for a postcard of this huge urn but alas, the powers that be didn't deem it worthy of a postcard.  We had other ideas so we had to sneek back to take a photo as you weren't really allowed to do this.

Don't worry all you St. Henry parishners...we'll have her on an elephant in no time.

More to come!