This is us setting off on our journey that's my arm
Here is a snake snack a barbecued river snake yummy!This is Thea and me buying hand woven scarf material woven by the women of the village 
Friday, 24 September 2010
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Our day Out
Sunday was our only day off from class so I decided to organise a day out. At 9am Gideon and his brother friend turned up on the dot of 9 with their two "tuk tuks" to take 8 of us Thea Johanne Leandra Andre' Dave Janet Vicky and me on a tour of Kompong Cham Province
We went over the mighty Mekong river taking the magnificent Kizuna Bridge or I should say spean Kizuna along road 7 over another bridge where we had our first pitstop.
By the roadside werefood stalls selling a huge range of river fish and river snakes.From the vantage point of the bridge we were able to see the fishermen at work whole families live on the water in boat houses.The river is full and Gideon told us that they just about make a living.
From there we travelled to a rubber plantation and met some of the workers there we tried out our very basic K'mai and they told Gideon that no foreigners had ever spoken to them in K'mai before. The work is hard they each look after/tap 500 trees each and they are paid according to how much/kilos of rubber they collect it is also dangerous work as the woods are full of deadly snakes like cobras so I was very careful where I stood!!! but the workers regarded them as their friends because if they caught a live one they could sell it for food for up to $40 a small fortune.
On then to the very smelly rubber factory where the manager talked us through the production process not much evidence of health and safety despite working with various substances including acid.
All the rubber is exported to China and Viet Nam for use in tyres and condoms so now you know.
After this we travelled through some particularly beautiful agricultural land growing rice peanuts and bannanas to name but a few the land is incredibly fertile after about 20 kms we turned into the small village of I think "detisserant" where we had the great privilege of meeting with some of the women and children involved in a local craft development scheme sponsored by an NGO. They were making hand woven cotton scarves which are in common use here as head and neck protection from the sun.This was another opportunity to try out our K'mai which made all the children giggle uncontrollably They are so happy despite being poor which made me reflect on whether we have got things so right in our country.
Wherever we went all the children would shout friendly greetings they are really gorgeous.We stopped for lunch at a road side cafe and sampled real Cambodian food I had river fish with ginger and soya beans and it was delicious.
On then to The Wooden Watt or to give it its proper title Mohaleap Monastairre Antique This magnificent temple is one of only two to survive the Khmer Rouge it is nearly 200 years old the icing on the cake though was being welcomed by a lady who was hosting a party in celebration of opening a family tomb but we were given drinks and sweet meats to eat and stayed there for some time listening to the Cambodian musicians it was magical.
The Watt itsself was very beautiful and spiritual it is a miracle that it is still there
On the way home we went through many villages and saw first hand what life in rural Cambodia is like where modern life and old customs are trying to co exist.
We also encountered some of the younger and more energetic members of our group who had decided to cycle to the wooden watt but were feeling the effects of not eating and the mid day sun so after ministering to them we made our way home stopping to have a drink and sample corn on the cob which is sold at the road side and was fantastic (much bigger and juicier than ours).
Our guide Gideon was clearly very proud rightly so of his country and keen for us to see more of the real Cambodia and the issues it faces. Both he and his brother friend gave us "A great Day Out".
We went over the mighty Mekong river taking the magnificent Kizuna Bridge or I should say spean Kizuna along road 7 over another bridge where we had our first pitstop.
By the roadside werefood stalls selling a huge range of river fish and river snakes.From the vantage point of the bridge we were able to see the fishermen at work whole families live on the water in boat houses.The river is full and Gideon told us that they just about make a living.
From there we travelled to a rubber plantation and met some of the workers there we tried out our very basic K'mai and they told Gideon that no foreigners had ever spoken to them in K'mai before. The work is hard they each look after/tap 500 trees each and they are paid according to how much/kilos of rubber they collect it is also dangerous work as the woods are full of deadly snakes like cobras so I was very careful where I stood!!! but the workers regarded them as their friends because if they caught a live one they could sell it for food for up to $40 a small fortune.
On then to the very smelly rubber factory where the manager talked us through the production process not much evidence of health and safety despite working with various substances including acid.
All the rubber is exported to China and Viet Nam for use in tyres and condoms so now you know.
After this we travelled through some particularly beautiful agricultural land growing rice peanuts and bannanas to name but a few the land is incredibly fertile after about 20 kms we turned into the small village of I think "detisserant" where we had the great privilege of meeting with some of the women and children involved in a local craft development scheme sponsored by an NGO. They were making hand woven cotton scarves which are in common use here as head and neck protection from the sun.This was another opportunity to try out our K'mai which made all the children giggle uncontrollably They are so happy despite being poor which made me reflect on whether we have got things so right in our country.
Wherever we went all the children would shout friendly greetings they are really gorgeous.We stopped for lunch at a road side cafe and sampled real Cambodian food I had river fish with ginger and soya beans and it was delicious.
On then to The Wooden Watt or to give it its proper title Mohaleap Monastairre Antique This magnificent temple is one of only two to survive the Khmer Rouge it is nearly 200 years old the icing on the cake though was being welcomed by a lady who was hosting a party in celebration of opening a family tomb but we were given drinks and sweet meats to eat and stayed there for some time listening to the Cambodian musicians it was magical.
The Watt itsself was very beautiful and spiritual it is a miracle that it is still there
On the way home we went through many villages and saw first hand what life in rural Cambodia is like where modern life and old customs are trying to co exist.
We also encountered some of the younger and more energetic members of our group who had decided to cycle to the wooden watt but were feeling the effects of not eating and the mid day sun so after ministering to them we made our way home stopping to have a drink and sample corn on the cob which is sold at the road side and was fantastic (much bigger and juicier than ours).
Our guide Gideon was clearly very proud rightly so of his country and keen for us to see more of the real Cambodia and the issues it faces. Both he and his brother friend gave us "A great Day Out".
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Learning Khmer Language
"Sus'a'day" all my UK buddies week two of my language course and I have to say I am really enjoying it. We work Monday to Saturday 1:30 to 5 as I am in the afternoon class this means that I am cycling to school in the hottest part of the day it reached 39o C yesterday which I can assure you is quite hot enough for me.
The only part of language training I do not like is the cycle ride I am not good on a bike and have managed to fall off once already and to skittle two pedestrians I have been chased by a pack of wild dogs on the only day I decided to cycle on my own but I will master it!!!
Here are a couple of pictures of our class and Dara our teacher who is brilliant
I would never have beleived that I would be able to make up short sentences and make myself understood in the market and restaurants in such a short time
I go to the same place for coffee/lunch every day and one of the young waiters there has taken me on (probably as a personal challenge) and speaks K'mai to me
Lei' Hei' Kath
Next to me is Dave my surrogate son he is going to work in livelihood projects forestry and fishing Andre' behind and Daniel behind him he is a teacher from Uganda.Across from Daniel is John from Ireland who is doing a similar job to mine but with the Cambodian Teachers Association and on the front row Janet a head teacher and Dave her husband.
Our teacher Dara at the front
The only part of language training I do not like is the cycle ride I am not good on a bike and have managed to fall off once already and to skittle two pedestrians I have been chased by a pack of wild dogs on the only day I decided to cycle on my own but I will master it!!!
Here are a couple of pictures of our class and Dara our teacher who is brilliant
I would never have beleived that I would be able to make up short sentences and make myself understood in the market and restaurants in such a short time
I go to the same place for coffee/lunch every day and one of the young waiters there has taken me on (probably as a personal challenge) and speaks K'mai to me
Lei' Hei' Kath
Next to me is Dave my surrogate son he is going to work in livelihood projects forestry and fishing Andre' behind and Daniel behind him he is a teacher from Uganda.Across from Daniel is John from Ireland who is doing a similar job to mine but with the Cambodian Teachers Association and on the front row Janet a head teacher and Dave her husband.
Our teacher Dara at the front
Friday, 17 September 2010
Living and working in Cambodia
During our induction we had talks on a range of topics including politics in Cambodia The history of Cambodia more details of that later. Cambodian culture VSO's work programmes in Health:Education and Livlihoods.
We also had presentations from a local Dr on how to stay healthy and got to visit the British embassy which was very interesting
The British Ambassador was a boy but very knowledgeable and charming!
Our VSO Welcome Reception
Here are some of my group at VSO's welcome reception held in the programme office.Far left is Socheem who has just joined VSO next to him Danny a former head teaher based in PP I am sandwhiched between Linda and Katia also teachers the guy bending over is apaediatrician called Ingran from London The tall guy is Andre' he is from Holland he and his wife Leandra have just completed 2 years in China quite amazing!!!
Sunday, 12 September 2010
First impressions of Cambodia
This is the first opportunity I have had to provide an update since arriving in Cambodia so I will use this time to share with you my first impressions of this fascinating frustrating but wonderful country.
On arriving in Phnom Penh the first thing to hit you is the heat it is hot hot hot and very humid I am wet through most of the time not a pleasant sight I can assure you!
The next attack on the senses was the traffic coming at you from all sides and angles tuk tuk's moto dops (cycles to you and me) large Lexus 4x4's what a menace they are carts and lorries with no observance of any kind of highway code whatsoever. Its every man for himself rest assured there is no way that I will be riding a motor cycle around this city A bike may be a possibility but only very early on a Sunday morning
I have to say that I have suffered from homesickness but am much better now I have had fantastic support from my fellow volunteers there are 16 of us in total 4 of whom are accompanying partners. We hale form the UK Holland ,Ireland The Phillipines and Uganda most are teachers there are just 2 of us in health myself and a young paediatrician who will be working in Stung Treng province a super young man half way through his specialty training he will be a great asset to the women and children's health programme his skills are very much needed.
I will tell you about every one as the blog progresses and as I report our doings
VSO has been very good here in Cambodia they have provided accomodation not exactly the ritz but OK and we have had an excellent induction programme. There are some superb and very cheap restaurants here where you can eat well and safely even on a volunteer allowance
I have to find accomodation in PP in the next 3 weeks and for my first 6 months I would prefer to be somewhere near to other volunteers until I really find my feet so keep your fingers crossed.
I have met up with Susan who has been caretaking my post for the last few months and she has given me an insight into the challenges more of these later as I have to close now
In my next post I will include photos of my group as well as some of the history of Cambodia to give you more context about the challenges this country faces
Bye for now
PS Thanks to Collen and Dianne for your comments it was great to read them .........Kath
On arriving in Phnom Penh the first thing to hit you is the heat it is hot hot hot and very humid I am wet through most of the time not a pleasant sight I can assure you!
The next attack on the senses was the traffic coming at you from all sides and angles tuk tuk's moto dops (cycles to you and me) large Lexus 4x4's what a menace they are carts and lorries with no observance of any kind of highway code whatsoever. Its every man for himself rest assured there is no way that I will be riding a motor cycle around this city A bike may be a possibility but only very early on a Sunday morning
I have to say that I have suffered from homesickness but am much better now I have had fantastic support from my fellow volunteers there are 16 of us in total 4 of whom are accompanying partners. We hale form the UK Holland ,Ireland The Phillipines and Uganda most are teachers there are just 2 of us in health myself and a young paediatrician who will be working in Stung Treng province a super young man half way through his specialty training he will be a great asset to the women and children's health programme his skills are very much needed.
I will tell you about every one as the blog progresses and as I report our doings
VSO has been very good here in Cambodia they have provided accomodation not exactly the ritz but OK and we have had an excellent induction programme. There are some superb and very cheap restaurants here where you can eat well and safely even on a volunteer allowance
I have to find accomodation in PP in the next 3 weeks and for my first 6 months I would prefer to be somewhere near to other volunteers until I really find my feet so keep your fingers crossed.
I have met up with Susan who has been caretaking my post for the last few months and she has given me an insight into the challenges more of these later as I have to close now
In my next post I will include photos of my group as well as some of the history of Cambodia to give you more context about the challenges this country faces
Bye for now
PS Thanks to Collen and Dianne for your comments it was great to read them .........Kath
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