glass on the windows

my teacher training center/school

today, as i waited for my trainees to complete their task of sweeping and dusting the classroom, i was approached by one of my them who has a pretty good handle on english.  though i'm often sad in the moment to put away my khmer studying, i'm always energized by the inevitably interesting conversation that happens as i engage in these short dialogues.

a few minutes in, my trainee and i had to pause our chat when the wind lifted a great deal of dirt into our faces from the pile that was being created by students sweeping the leaves and rubbish from the main thoroughfare in front of the classrooms.

as we covered our mouths from inhaling the dust, my trainee asked me "is it this dirty in america?"

well, trainee, let's consider that.

his question jogged a thought that has been bouncing around my head for the last seven months, a thought about the way that cambodians and americans conduct general life.

in cambodia, life happens outside.  

when you want to visit your friends, you usually do so while sitting outside on a concrete bench, or a low wooden table, or while lounging in a hammock.  in fact, it's customary to spend a good deal of time "sit/playing", or hanging out, with friends and family, generally out of doors.  

i don't always enjoy this aspect- sitting in the sun, under a small bit of shade, praying for a good wind to pick up, while catching up on what khmer food i like and don't like.  but, this hanging out is a crucial part of life here, and it, like most everything, happens outside.

want to visit your aunt who works at the market? you'll be chatting away in the open air market (even if it has a roof.)  grabbing a coffee with a friend? you'll enjoy it in a plastic chair outside or in a restaurant with the door flung wide open.  heading home? your windows and doors will be open to the world for a light breeze and to welcome any of those visitors coming your way.

it used to throw me for a loop when people asked me where my house was (is this safe?!) and if they could come visit.  but given that everything happens for all to see, there is practically an open door policy across the country.  stop on by!

because life in cambodia happens in open air.  eating, chatting, cooking, even showering and "using the bathroom" commonly happens out of doors.  

along with all this life happening outside comes the fact that life is there for all to see. LIFE is there for ALL to see.  cambodians may preciously guard personal opinions or thoughts, but what you ate for dinner last night, or what time you got home, or the fact that you washed ten pairs of underwear this morning is visible to all and open game for questions or discussion.

and in america, the world happens behind the doors.  when we go anywhere, we're sure to shut the door tightly behind us- don't let that air conditioned/heated air escape!  windows? open to the sun, but closed to the air.  important discussions happen at long tables in comfortable, rolling chairs.  what you ate for dinner last night is only shared if it was especially delicious- or horrendous.  and my laundry? you don't even know when if i do it!

because, of course, in america, we have specially designed areas for life outside.  sure, we'll also hang out with friends in the outdoors- on carefully constructed patios or wooden decks, in strategically placed lounging chairs, typically behind a house or a gate.

so, when my trainee asked me about dirt in america, i had to explain how dirt, swirling around us, is not a common occurrence.

i explained the glass over the windows, and the concrete paved everything with the artfully planted grassy knolls.  i didn't get into the other things- that we knock when we want to visit people and that hammocks, well, they're an art lost on the majority of americans.  that the concept of sweeping a dirt road and having to brush off your desk before sitting is an idea completely foreign to modern americans.  

america is less dusty, but also a bit less open.

so, my house is by the market, and sure come on over!  though, hammocks are sorely lacking, so feel free to bring your own.

what's your take on life outdoors versus indoors?

and have you ever written a post, uploaded pictures, labeled it, scheduled it post and view it on your "scheduled posts" page all to have it disappear ten minutes later? because that happened to me with this post and i'm still a bit angry. it's just never as eloquent the second time around, you know? 

happy friday!