For most of the day we just lounged around the hostel. About midday some of the local workers called me over to their table to sample some "palm wine" which was being distributed from an old motor oil jug. It was whitish and smell terrible and the taste was akin to watered down bread mix. We toasted, and toasted again, and again.... Soon enough someone joined our table with what at first appeared to be rice and some sort of herbal concoction but as I inquired they explained that it was a bowl of termites, larva, and their eggs. Being slightly inebriated and always up for an adventure I took a spoon full and placed it in my mouth. I had a brief moment which could only be described as that feeling you have midair after leaping into what you know will be freezing cold water. I chewed.. and chewed some more. Salty yet oddly delectable the texture was interesting and I found myself in desperate need of comparison so I took another spoon full of termite soup and sampled it. Yum. We later went to the other hostel owned by the same people and it was much nicer with a swimming pool and cheaper rates. I'm moving there after Angkor Wat. We capped off the day with a tour through the royal palace that was rudely interrupted by a drenching tropical storm. Lori, Brent, and I found ourselves sitting on an oriental rug with one of the giant elaborate Wats to ourselves just watching the rain fall over the royal courtyard. It was remarkably peaceful and we let the warm moist air rush over us engulfing us with the sense of joy at relaxing in a royal palace somewhere in SE Asia.
Finally they kicked us out and we (soaked to the bone) took a tuk tuk back to our place. Thats it for today. I've got clinic tomorrow and can't wait. Pictures should be added (to all entries) tomorrow too. Cheers!
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