Phnom Phen, Cambodia

We traveled this summer to Cambodia with Youth Evangelism Explosion. This is the first time that I had been in the heart of a third-world country, and I learned a lot about traveling in this part of the world. I also was recovering from a crazy mountain bike accident, but I survived Cambodia with an open wound! See our daily posts at irockyouth.com/youthee

Here are some travel tips for heading to Phnom Phen, or any location like it:

1. Bring a set of sheets from home-it's like the days of staying hostels. Ashley and I were so glad to bring our own sheets that we could use to create a sort of cocoon in our bed. We packed sheets because they don't take up much room, and with the warm climate of Cambodia in July, a sleeping bag would be too warm to sleep in.


2. Invest in a pair of Crocs-Crocs are wonderful shoes that are waterproof, comfortable, and keep your feet cool. They make great shoes to take outside and wear in the shower.


3. Expect to get sick-There are a lot of different foods and ways of preparing food that your body is just not accustomed to. You might not get sick, but if you go in expecting to get sick, then you won't be upset when it happens, and if you don't get sick, it's a nice surprise. *FYI Ashley gets sick on about every third trip to Asia.


4. Know how to spot a tourist-Not that we blend in Asia, but I can tell you that we could spot the tourists...they were the men wearing shorts (not long pants) and women wearing tank tops and t-shirts. Respect the local attire by dressing as such. Collared shirts and long pants were worn by locals.
5. Take off your sunglasses-when you are speaking to someone. It is a sign of snobbery and deliberate disrespect if you keep your sunglasses on while speaking to someone else.


6. Don't just give money away-Poverty surrounds you and "tourist" means "source of money" in areas like this. The most helpful thing is to ask a trusted local what is the tradition for giving money to beggars. The tradition in Phnom Phen is to give money to the elderly (because they have no viability to make their own money) and not to give money to children (so as not to teach them to panhandle as their livelihood). The best use of your money is to research what legitimate organizations are working with the poor in those areas of the world and give your money to that organization.

Surviving an Overseas Flight

I am not a great flyer. I don't enjoy sitting in an airplane. I have a tendency to get airsick.

So, if anyone knows how to survive...it's me. Truly, Ashley has taught me how to travel better. Here are our tricks and tips on how to survive the long overseas flight:

• Drink water every chance you get. Every time you're in the airport grabbing a meal or being offered a drink in the airplane, ASK FOR WATER in addition to whatever else you are drinking. It is common for overseas travelers to get severly dehydrated, so drink lots and lots of water.

• Pack your carry-on survival kit. This includes clothing items to change into once the airplane has reached a cruising altitude (i.e. pajama pants, compression socks, a fleece). And don't forget to have a freezer bag with the clothing items you will want as soon as you land (i.e. clean underwear, clean socks, clean shirt) so that you don't feel like you are wearing the airplane.

• Sleep doesn't just happen. First, look at what time of day you are landing and plan your sleep on the airplane so that you can, as best as you can, adjust to the new time zone. Pack a sandwich bag in your carry-on that has: earplugs, headphones, a sleep mask. Ashley and I also include a sleep aid in that kit, such as Tylenol PM or Ambien--Check with your doctor before just taking either.

• IBuprofen is my lifesaver. It serves three purposes: 1) IBuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and helps keep the swelling in my feet down, 2) IBuprofen is a blood-thinner and helps prevent clots from forming while sitting for an extended period of time, and 3) IBuprofen helps relieve the pain in my neck and back from sitting in the plane. **Do not take IBuprofen with an empty or upset stomach and ask your doctor before taking any medication.

• Keep the blood moving. Traveling is hard on the body. I can be sore all over my body for a couple days after landing. It is less likely that you will be sore if you keep the blood moving by periodically getting up and walking around the plane and doing plane exercises in your seat.

• Consider packing some snacks like trail mix, a Snickers bar, or granola bars. If you, like me, get nauseated at the smell of airplane food, snacks are necessary. Like I said, my tummy gets uneasy, so I bring a sleeve of Saltine crackers. They help to settle my stomach and are a great snack to tie me over.