Apr 29 - May 3rd we 
had a work/pleasure trip to Kampong Thom & Siem Reap. On our return we stopped in the small town of Skun, better known as "Spider Town"! As soon as I stepped out of the van, friendly Sokha linked arms with me asking if I would like to buy bananas. As we walked about 3 steps Bopha came up and linked into my other arm asking if I'd like to buy some pineapples. Then I SAW what was on Sokha's blouse!! But I was unable to move away from my sweet captors! Sokha noticed my shocked stairs and said "no bite, no hurt" and then offered to let me hold her "pet"! NO THANK YOU, but please hold it so we can take a picture of it. Then Noch approached us wanting to sell us mangos telling us "money so I go to school".
had a work/pleasure trip to Kampong Thom & Siem Reap. On our return we stopped in the small town of Skun, better known as "Spider Town"! As soon as I stepped out of the van, friendly Sokha linked arms with me asking if I would like to buy bananas. As we walked about 3 steps Bopha came up and linked into my other arm asking if I'd like to buy some pineapples. Then I SAW what was on Sokha's blouse!! But I was unable to move away from my sweet captors! Sokha noticed my shocked stairs and said "no bite, no hurt" and then offered to let me hold her "pet"! NO THANK YOU, but please hold it so we can take a picture of it. Then Noch approached us wanting to sell us mangos telling us "money so I go to school". 
Bopha, Noch, & Sokha
As we stepped back into the van, Sokha reached in & put the spider on Dad's shirt, a phot that couldn't be missed!
Does Elder Nelson look courageous? Below are the fired spiders for sale, a Cambodian "delicacy" and the common fired crickets which we did not purchase! Yes, we did go home with delicious mangos, bananas, & pineapples as well as with warm hearts and a deeper love for these precious Cambodian people.
When we travel by bus, it always stops in Skun for a "rest break" and many a time we have seen women climb back on board with small sacks of fried spiders and crickets for their eating pleasure. They seem to enjoy it as much as we enjoy eating candy! When we see them sharing with their children, it is all I can do to keep from saying "STOP, don't feed it to them! It isn't good for them!" But who am I to judge? Doesn't every mother want her children to get their daily allowance of protein?
As we stepped back into the van, Sokha reached in & put the spider on Dad's shirt, a phot that couldn't be missed!
Does Elder Nelson look courageous? Below are the fired spiders for sale, a Cambodian "delicacy" and the common fired crickets which we did not purchase! Yes, we did go home with delicious mangos, bananas, & pineapples as well as with warm hearts and a deeper love for these precious Cambodian people.
When we travel by bus, it always stops in Skun for a "rest break" and many a time we have seen women climb back on board with small sacks of fried spiders and crickets for their eating pleasure. They seem to enjoy it as much as we enjoy eating candy! When we see them sharing with their children, it is all I can do to keep from saying "STOP, don't feed it to them! It isn't good for them!" But who am I to judge? Doesn't every mother want her children to get their daily allowance of protein?
