Music, Shopping, Culture in Cambodia

Sunday, 08 January 2012
Written by Lynne LaMaster
Prescott News (Arizona, USA)

All the way to Cambodia for flute lessons? Yep!

It's been a few days since we brought you a Northpoint Travelers update. While the students have been busy, they've also been able to experience the culture in a variety of ways. As you read, you'll see that music is a large focus of this trip to Cambodia.

But, before we get started, it's great to know that the Northpoint students are ing recognized for their travels and community service. Read this article in the Phnom Pen Post about their experiences:

US Students Get a Cultured Learning

Tuesday, January 3

Flute Lesson & Market Shopping

This morning, after a bit of a hectic breakfast, we climbed into our tuk-tuks and set off for our flute lesson. Although it was difficult to play with so many other people squeaking away on their own instruments at different times and speeds, most of us managed to learn at least half the song. The time afterwards was spent playing games and socializing with the several families living there. It was interesting to see the average living conditions here in Cambodia, which aren’t always great, but it seems the people who live here make the most of it. It’s amazing to me how, even though they may not have much themselves, the people we’ve met still go out of their way to make it comfortable for us.

We went for lunch and a shopping trip at the Russian Market, which was such a unique experience. All the heat from crowds and food stands was trapped inside, confined to the small paths that wound their way amongst numerous booths. The groups of twos and threes made their way around the mazes of stores and people on their own, eventually meeting back up again to head back to the guest house.

After a bit of work and rest time, we went to dinner and a short performance by Sinat, a master musician here in Cambodia. There was fantastic food and company, but eventually the tiredness took over and we all headed back to the guest house, only to do more packing and preparing for the early start the next day. Today was an adventure - and I’m sure tomorrow will be as well!

- Mia M

Wednesday, January 4

The English School and Swimming

Today, January fourth, started off way too early as we set off on a bus ride to Kampot. 7 a.m. marked the start of our four-hour bus adventure, which was comfy but uneventful. Once we arrived in Kampot we got a quick meal and headed to the Chumkriel Language School, which we arrived at a half hour early. Once all the teachers and students arrived, the manager gathered us around the bulletin board to explain about the school. Once that was done we split into two groups, one that went with little kids and drew pictures and one that had a conversation with the older kids.

I was lucky enough to be in the group that drew pictures with the little kids. They were all so cute and they didn't speak much English, but every now and then they would look up at me, smiling and giggling. I tried to talk with the girl sitting next to me, and when that failed I talked to one of the teachers. It was a sad time when we had to leave, but we were all very happy when we arrived at the hotel. We walked in, and it was paradise: wood and grass huts on stilts in what looks like a mini jungle. We walked up to the bar to get our room keys and got shown to our little huts. In my hut is Maddie, Lilly, and Kessie. It is small but amazing! It has a bunk bed and a double bed, a hammock out on the porch and the shower out back. Once we were done exploring and changing we went swimming in the river where some interesting events happened. We all got to see Dyer, Dave and Stephen wearing traditional Cambodian kromahs, which are essentially skirts for swimming in.

Once the sun started to set we went on these flat boats. At first it was hard to balance, but once you were on it for a little, it was great. As it started getting dark, we walked back to our hotel and ordered food. It was another amazing day here in Cambodia!

- Mia S

Thursday, January 5

Flute Lesson & Market Shopping: Another Take

Today we took flute lessons and went to the Russian Market. As a musician, I was very excited to take the music class. I’ve had no experience playing woodwind instruments, and had no idea what to expect out of the lesson, especially it being a foreign instrument with an instructor who didn’t speak much English. We took off fairly early in the morning and headed for master flute player Yim Chanthy’s house. We started off by playing through the scale for several minutes. Initially, it seemed easy, but then we realized that the flute changes tones depending on how hard you blow air through it, which made it more difficult than I had anticipated. Once Yim Chanthy thought we were ready to start learning, she quickly took off into the lesson. It was a fascinating experience trying to learn a song through watching her play it, using little to no language to help guide me.

Overall it was a worthwhile experience, however, I can't say any of us will become master flute players anytime soon. Being able to play some of the music we’ve been learning about has helped us wrap our minds around just how much of an art these musicians have mastered, and how imperative it is that the classical Cambodian music stays alive.

After the flute lesson, we took a short tuk-tuk ride to the Russian Market, and I can confidently say it was like no “market” I had experienced before. Between the hot, thick air and the market vendors swarming you with cheap goods to buy, it was impossible to have a relaxing day of shopping. It was however a wonderful experience. We all had a blast bargaining down gifts for our families back home and wandering through aisles upon aisles of booths selling things like cloth, films, fish, and even car parts! It was a day full of new experiences for all of us, but it’s these experiences that are making this trip such a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience.

- Maddie

Of course, it's not all music. Some of the trip is seeing the sites, driving around in tuk-tuks and tourist buses, riding on paddle boats. Here's Martel's account from Thursday.

Kampot, Cambodia

An early bus picked us up at 7:00 and took us to the bus stop where we got on a big tourist bus for almost five hours. Our destination: Kampot, Cambodia. Kampot is much different from Phnom Penh. There are stunning mountains here, the food is much better, and everything is so green.

The first thing on our list after arriving was helping to teach English and drawing at the Chumkreil Language School. The kids didn’t know much English, but it was fun being there. After that, we picked up some traditional Cambodian swimsuits (a scarf-like towel called a “kroma” that is wrapped around your waist--only the teachers and Stephen wore them, and it wasn’t the most enjoyable experience for the rest of us to see). The villa where we are staying is paradise. Right up to the river, the cabanas are on stilts. The water was so refreshing; we went swimming/jumping/diving off of the deck, and then took rides on the paddle boats. I think I speak for everyone when I say today has been the best so far.

Later this evening, we had dinner on Cambodian time (eat your food when you get it; it could be five minutes, it could be an hour, depending on if they forget or not), then watched The Flute Player. It’s the story of a man who was involved in the Khmer Rouge, but has moved to the USA to teach classical Cambodian music. I think it is wonderful that somebody is making an effort to bring back Cambodian music in Cambodia and in the US. Shortly after that, we were off to bed.

- Martel