Thursday October 21st
Hello everyone
So I have decided to get involved in this blogging business, a record for myself and for any of my friends who want to keep tabs on my life here for the next while! I hope you enjoy. xxx
Arrived last week after what was a very long journey via London and Kuala Lumpar. Was collected from the airport by Soklain form the VSO program Office. Was a bit of a blur. I was pretty emotional after all the goodbyes. Great to be back in Cambodia, surreal, yet in a way I felt I have never left. The instant smells, heat , colour and vibrancy hit me the minute I walked through the airport doors. I have already noticed a few changes on the streets of Phnom Pehn, in particular the increase in the amount of cars in particular big SVU ‘s on the roads. The driving is still as crazy as ever.
Didnt do much on the first night, just chilled and got over the jet lag. Had a few Welcome drinks on the second night. Met Sarah. I will be taking over from her in Kampot. Everyone says that Kampot is really beautiful. I cant wait to get there.
Have left Phnom Pehn for a smaller city called Kampong Cham, the third biggest city in Cambodia. It’s really lovely here, much less traffic and noise than in the capital. The main purpose of staying here is to learn Khmer and become as compotent as we can before we attempt to work. Our teacher Dara is brilliant and says we need to learn 20 new words a day. There are no tenses in Khmer so that’s a bonus. So hopefully with repetition and practise with the locals I’ll get a grip on it. Went for a cycle out into the country side after class. It was so beautiful. Now is a lovely time to be here. It’s post monsoon and the paddy fields are glistening in the hazy sun, the cows are ploughing the fields and the monks are strikingly vibrant with their orange robes.
Will remain here for a few weeks , then we have a placement visit week to meet our employers , find a house and hire a translator. Im quite looking forward to having my very own little home in Cambodia.
