So Now It's A Year!!! A brief reflection....
on So Now It's Cambodia (Cambodia), 14/Oct/2010 12:18, 34 days ago
A year ago tonight we were sitting on a long distance flight from Heathrow to Phnom Penh in Cambodia heading for a change of planes in Bangkok. It's been an interesting and challenging experience yet it feels as if we've only just started.So much of our training warned us that it can take 6 months to a year before you can really get stuck in to the job and I would say that's the case generally. We've been through the seasons though we're still enduring the worst that the rainy (and stormy) season can offer. Boy was the hot season hot!!!Obviously, my experience has been coloured by my medical issues though most volunteers experience health issues due to the many illnesses it's possible to succumb to. Things improved for me once I had the piano to practise.The language has been a challenge but rewarding - it's nice when Khmers are pleased or even proud that we have taken the trouble to try and learn it.The heat has been a challenge as has shopping in our local market - especially when they quote prices in a mysterious version of Baht!We have bonded with the Khmer family downstairs and learnt something of their culture in the process. Talking of culture - the noisy weddings have certainly been a challenge once the novelty wore off! Loud music and chanting blasting out at 5.00 in the morning is not my idea of a relaxing retirement! As I wrote early on - the dog nuisance near our house is a real pain and is only marginally better than when we arrived. In fact, there seem to be more dogs than ever but they are mostly interested in each other.As I have written recently, the tuk tuk culture is brilliant and yet again I experienced it yesterday when I tried the continuing saga of sorting my phone out and chased around Phnom Penh to try to get a new battery. Strangely, the smart Sony Ericsson shops couldn't provide but a small road side stall could! - (this was even recommended to us by the manager of the smart shop!!). This meant a trip to previously unchartered areas of Phnom Penh. The stall was on a road which didn't have potholes - it had craters! I've never seen anything like it - and the traffic just weaves around it - this also entailed our tuk tuk going the wrong way into this traffic to try and find the shop!!! So who is responsible for fixing the roads here???.......and why don't they do it? Maybe the next year will provide the answer....We never cease to be amazed by the driving and how if there is a gap to be filled with a moto they will fill it!We've enjoyed discovering the delights of Siem Reap with it's hotels, swimming pools and restaurants. The discovery of western style supermarkets was a life saver and is now part of our routine.I've also enjoyed the fun of negotiating deals and discounts though I try not to "rob" people who can ill afford it and I try to return the generosity they show us.Alison's found herself far busier than she expected to be but, of course, that brings rewards and satisfaction in itself - and she is certainly immersing herself in it.Most of all, we have been privileged to experience at close hand the remarkable spirit, kindness, sense of humour and generosity of the Khmer people. They have a very strong character and an amazing "can do" approach to life. Rather like the logo on the staff shirts in one of the top hotels in Siem Reap: the answer is yes - now what was the question??!!