Kampot and Otres

Finally my long awaited break arrived, the first holiday – longer than a weekend – since April, hence the appreciation it has to be said!

I left Monday after organising  few bits and bobs with my job here in Phnom Penh and went straight to Kampot, and then a TukTuk to the Ganesha Hotel..

After a very bumpy ride ( we are in the middle of the Cambodian countryside) I arrive abruptly to the Ganesha, and all I can see when  I look up are stars, like the world is made out of nothing but these beautiful stars- millions of wishes coming true in an instant.

I uncrumple myself from the tuktuk after hours of travel, to a warm and welcoming lounge of a few very chilled folk, and I am next embracing the owners, kisses hello- they are French and I love the way they insist on welcoming the guests as family- I was ctually taken aback with the warm welcome- it was kind of unexpected but so nice! Emmanuel and Stephanie- a beautiful couple, who just recently took over, and what a gift.

I was taken to my tribal hut- and have to honestly say this is the most incredible place I have ever stayed. Overlooking rice fields, buffalo hills in a distance, and with TWO balconies- one to see the sunrise, one to see the sunset, which suited me just perfect being that I wanted this first block of my break to be a little meditation retreat, it meant I could meditate for sunrise and sunset.

Every morning I woke up for my meditation before sunrise, but I didn’t really need an alarm as there is a Muslim call and Buddhist chanting at 4.45am which is truly magical, and kind of set the tone for my time to meditate in the morning. I kind of had a routine of 1 hour in the morning, then sunrise, shower, and breakfast. Then another meditation session at 11 and then another at 4, and one before bed.  In between just reading, writing, lying on my back looking at the sky, nature and butterflies. It was so incredibly beautiful, and that little tribal hut felt like another little world.

And then I would come into the social world of the lounge/restaurant area, to have food and connect with people in between.

 

I also went on an incredible bike ride.

Please look at the pictures to see the real story. It felt like I was in a photograph the whole time- I could not believe I was actually there.

 

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The last morning was funny. Not at the exact time of it happening I have to say- but really funny in retrospect. As always, I had to climb down the steps of my lovely hut and turn right around the pond to get to the bathroom. On this particular morning, I was a little grouchy and tired- as I needed the loo, but was not quite ready to wake up. Any way as you do- nature calls and takes over. So I walk down the steps with torch (It is 4.30am) and walk to what I think is the grass, but this was in fact the reeds at the edge of the pond- and in my clothes and flip flops- SPLOSH! I have walked-straight into the pond- no not just a foot- I completely am in!! I can tell you now I have never had such an early wakeup call in my life, and my adrenalin and reaction must be good as I think I only spent about 10 seconds sloshing about frantically and getting back on the bank but drenched!

VERY FUNNY- I wish someone could have taken a photo, as after I recovered from the shock I couldn’t stop laughing- seriously!

That set me up for the day and encouraged me to do my meditation as I nearly didn’t as had been so sleepy-every cloud has a silver lining LOL.

 

My last memory of the day before I leave is the thousands of dragon fly, flying around my hut.

I also really love Stephanie and Ammanuel- They make me need to return soon to the family and my tribal hut…

So I am leaving again, after taking photos of the Gecko and the crabs in the river..to the bus station, to take me to the coast, Otres beach…See more pictures. I spend two nights here, and met up with a friend from work with his partner and friends- was nice to see some familiar faces- sorry didn’t get any pics of them (sorry Cieran!), but was nice to hang out a bit with some lovely people, and also swim in the sea, get some sun, and discover a lovely guest house- not the one I was staying in but defo for next time- new owners- really nice couple, beach front huts, the beach and the sea, perfect!

 I have to go back too as I left my swim costume there- shame hehe.

Lovely to have a break away- thanks for reading.  Hope you enjoy the pics J

A beautiful day

After a pretty tough week of working hard and nearly forgetting that this is not all life is about (I wass getting a little narked to be honest); today made up for it in so many ways! A short but sweet note, as is past my bed time(although the wedding downstairs is a possibly viable excuse with the loud fabulous Khemer Karaoke band- I will explain)..

First great thing is I had a proper day off; a day out and was awestruck to remember I am in an amazing country- visited a local lake with a couple of temples- one was especially beautiful and old- really special. And then the lake whereby locals have a special day together with family- it was so nice to be surrounded by that in the lovely company of Lily- whom seemed appropriate in already by the fact that she was named as the incredible field of Lilies we passed on the way!

Then I had lovely food with a brilliant woman whom is co-running an amazing meditation group- I am so excited and happy to have discovered this- as seemed a bit tricky to find meditation groups accessible to me (being that I am not a male Khmer Monk wearing Saffron) and I love meditating at the Wat, although there lacked real feedback although I will definitely keep returning as a space to meditate in addition to my cusion at home. And she was lovely and have found out they will run retreats and so forth and is also run by a Western Nun so am so pleased to have discovered an outlet to continue my spiritual practice.

And then to top off an already beautiful day-I come home to discover that my front door is in the middle of a Khmer street wedding!! HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT!!

See atttached pictures lovely readers and may life bless such beauty upon you all!

PS Apologies. Attempted to add pics seems another tech problem so will reattempt soon...

TukTuk journey

 

WAT LANGKA

 

Fundraising Fashion Show Cambodia!

Some new pics

Russia Market

 Driving home with my plants and soil mix-and my 40 planted sunflower seeds on my window sill!

 Very white legs- but more interestingly- the view of the river from my sunbed on a lazy sunday morning

 5 sprouted!!!

 My favourite drink-fresh coconut!

Grease, models and thinking outside the box

Wednesday

Riding home from work on my bike today I couldn’t help giggling to myself. Here I was in the middle of all these motorbikes. And suddenly I get Grease in my head.

 I am in this weird twisted Cambodian series of Grease. Weaving in and out of traffic in the middle of a group of Mods. Except there are no leather jackets and shiny shoes. Instead we have lone Mods, Several mods on one bike- and even mods carrying all manner of items on their bikes such as – a bird cage with 20-30 tiny birds fapping about inside and chirping away. His whole family- with the toddler on the handlebars. His business-an attached food stall on the side-what a marvellous idea! But of course these are not Mods- its just my cranky imagination getting carried away cushioned in the middle of all these roaring bikes on the road riding home- feeling part of the clan. And how innovative these Cambodians are with using the bikes in all ways one could imagine- and indeed in many other things. I really have noted the people are really so creative with everything they do.

I am really excited. I planted 40 sunflower seeds that a dear friend gave me as a leaving gift. It took me 5 weeks to get it together but I did it. I found the plant place. I found the man that sells soil which consists of a very lumpy soil with occasional bits of paper inside it. I wondered whether seeds would grow in this stuff- and 5 have sprouted (6 days later)!! Hooray! I am just a bit nervous of the responsibility- and am hoping I can see them through and that they might even grow into proper flowers! Fingers crossed. Like these are all my little babies waiting- or I am waiting rather- even if only 2 sunflowers grow I will be tremendously elated.

I had my second Khmer lesson Saturday. I absolutely love my teacher. Where I live, there is a Khmer family on the bottom floor, and in fact a few that you see spilling out onto the street in the evenings. They seem to really be very sociable in their families. It also means every time I come home, the whole of the street knows I am home. Lucky I am a good girl with nothing to hide (at present LOL)  and if I did- I wouldn’t be able to hide it –that’s for sure- with a dozen eyes curiously following my movements!  Anyway- they were all extremely intrigued to see the tuc tuc arrive with the man in a smart business suit- and a huge whiteboard and brief case tucked under his arm! What on earth was the likes of him doing coming into this rather hippy crumpled clad girl's apartment they wondered (or maybe they didn’t at all – but they did look a bit baffled to me!).

Dara is a really brilliant Khmer teacher. I met him through another chap I met when I arrived at the guesthouse, and he recommended him and said he teaches all the ambassadors here. He has a very good grasp of the English language- spoken and written, in addition to speaking 5 other languages and it felt he had an exceptionally good understanding- I loved my lesson. He rearranged my front door into a teaching area propping up the whiteboard on my shoe rack, and proceeded to teach me I, you, him, her, they and us. Then he taught with, and at, and like and school.

I can say' I love Cambodia, I teach in Cambodia, I teach at ican School, I like, Cambodia, I like you, I like him I like her ect ect, I teach with Esther at iCAN school in Phnom Penh' and other such sentences, The way he taught was really clever as he only taught me a few words but in such a way that I could construct sentences and already strike up a conversation. Most importantly – he taught me how to say ‘food’ haha!

 Feeling all clucky and chuffed with myself I proceeded to practice my Khmer on the staff at ican. It was received with kindly giggles and corrections- very specific. The pronunciation I find quite tricky – even though the constructs of the language seem relatively straight forward.

 Later on:

Yesterday I came home in a River. I was giggling so much on the motto as the water nearly came up to my feet. What a downpour- we have more of this to look forward to with the rainy season!!

Wat langka- I took some more pics of the place so you can see where I go to meditate when I can.

Sunday eve

This weekend I collected clothes I had made for me- I basically took a couple of dresses and skirts I had already from uk and some material I picked up from the market and they copied my dresses and what a marvellous job they did too. I also discovered a shoe place-introduced to me by another collegue- whereby you can have any type of shoe made for you by hand- and I mean -any. Even boots- even though I am not sure who would wear boots here! My colleague was telling me that he had a friend who send him a cast of her foot for what she thought was a school display and he ended up surprising her by having loads of shoes made for her and sent over- so any requests fire away although you need to get me a cast of your foot!!!

I went to the Gym today- ahhh a little piece of heaven. I am working hard but realising there are plenty of places to unwind and find myself again although it has been taking me a while to just even know where my road is in relation to the rest of Phnom Penh- and this is more about me having a rather vague sense of direction rather than the fact that P.P is hard to get around as the mapping system is relatively simple, although having said that occasionally you get a road, and then they decide to build some buildings in the middle of it- and the road disappears- which has caught me out on one or two occasions!

There is so much more I want to share with you folks but I don’t know where to start or end! I have had a couple of wobbly moments in adapting and missing home (especially when my phone got stolen and I had no wifi so couldn’t contact anyone from home) but am overall so happy and excited to be here! I feel like I am so blessed and lucky to be having these experiences – and this is just living in Phnom Penh- I have yet to explore the countryside and coast of this incredible country.

 I feel so positive for the people here too. It really does feel to be an up and coming city and good for them after all the hell and struggle they went through. Good for them for being proud of trying to get an education and be successful in life after losing everything. I went to my first ever fashion show- we had an invite from one of the parents of the children at my school- a Cambodian lady- a beautiful one at that-  who runs a modelling agency called Sapora- for of course Cambodian models and there is a huge amount of excitement and fuss about the top model there as she is going to Australia to a big international show and she is the first ever Cambodian model to be recognised internationally- Cambodia is so proud- and I felt really touched to be there as very often it is all about western models here and the beauty of western people with their white skin ect ect – the billboards with pics of Kate Moss I saw at the junction which is all very well except to me baffling -as I see al these absolutely stunning Cambodian women and they are all trying to put cream on to make themselves look western ! So to actually see a beautiful Khmer model – representing the incredible beauty of the women in this country felt so touching it really did- and it felt a real honour to be there.

One other thing that is amazing is the community here- it seems so interconnected- or that many people are connected. My Khmer teacher, for example is married to one of the parents at my school- whom I met at the fashion show- everyone has connections.

 I am loving my job. The kids are absolutely amazing- also seem to have this creative ‘anything can happen’ streak about them which I seem to have noticed here- and are really good in expressing themselves overall. There was one boy in my ks3 songwriting class who wrote a mindmap of ideas for his song about all the emotions he had with his Dad leaving to go abroad all the time on business and he expressed his anger/sadness emotions and everything, but in a really open and positive way- he felt safe and I was so impressed to see such maturity and also his classmates were so supportive and it just felt so amazing to see that- whereas I would have seen a different reaction in many of the schools I taught in before from a student’s peers I think…One thing I really like at my school is that students and staff alike are encouraged to think outside the box- and to be more open minded about everything. So refreshing!

Well -I have had another stunning weekend, and am connecting more with some lovely people here. Sorry my blogs are few and far between- I am working hard in the week- although really enjoying it- the time seems to fly and I have less time to be on here typing- being out there. I feel so excited to be here and just happy to be finding out about and exploring this wonderful city.

 

I must also sleep and meditate- to give me the fuel for the rest of the week so I am to now retire lovely reader.

Please feel free to send me a little message to let me know how you are doing- or even a little comment on here is always welcome even if just to say hi-nice to know if you swung by.

Sending you love from Cambodia. Xxx

Just tried to add my pics but seems to be a new problem with it- will try again!

Some pics

Flower Stalls in Town

Stormy seas in Kep

My new fast round legs

Back in Phnom Penh!

Im still here!

Hello-  just wanted to say a little something as some of you have said hey Julie whats up how are you doing?!

Yes I am still here, still alive, although really whacked!

I know I have been quiet on the blog front- even though so many incredible things happen in the day that I really wish I could just directly plug my brain into the computer- simply upload memory files and post on here- but unfortunately I have to actually type my thoughts out and this takes a wee bit of time :)!

All pretty good although I was just saying to a friend I have made over here recently that I have been craving routines! (this is what happens at this point in ones life- despite the love of spontaneity and excitement- there is nothing quite like a good old routine) ahem.

So I have managed to keep some- like reading a little before bed time; drinking a nice cup of tea in the morning after me half hour meditation. But I miss my regular exercise and gym. I am putting on weight too! I am currently trying to join a gym but it is not quite 100% straight forward to do so ( you have to pay upfront whole year and am trying to organise advance at work). And going for a jog in the morning or evening is not exactly like when I lived at home. There are a couple of places to jog, from what I gather, but they are not very close. It is not quite as if I can just go for a run out on my street round the block- doing so would require extreme skill and expertise - in that you would probably spend more time darting out the way of a Tuk Tuk, Motto or large 4 X 4 Driver. Especially being a pedestrian- which is what I have discovered on my bike (it is like there is a ranking of importance by how big your vehicle is- so the bigger you are- the more respected and out of the way people go for you).

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When I went to the market on Saturday I thought I would return to the really amazing food stalls we had be introduced to early on when I arrived with the LSA's- which  you may remember me mentioning in the wordpress blog.

So I did- in between a bit of shopping for household items. I stopped at an incredible stall that looked like he was serving lovely pancakes with lovely filling and salad.

I don't know what I was thinking but I assumed that it would be a delicious meal with no animal content- but realised after taking a HUGE hungry bite that my pancake was filled with minced PORK.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhgggrrgh

The poor man on the stall! He saw me jump up and go argh whahahahah (as I really have got to not being abe to bear the smell let alone the taste and the horror of seeing all these dead hanging pigs that they sell in the meat stalls here(another story within a story))

Anyway- I reminded myself to stop being so dozy all the time LOL

Apart from that it was a successful shop having purchased rice, noodles, some veg, ordered lamps for my apartment, some material for clothes and my classroom (although this took the best part of a WHOLE DAY.

I have started teaching by the way- and I am pretty whacked has to be said- reason being is that I have not finished setting things up, and am feeling a bit kind of like I have so much to do. After being in my previous job in UK comfortably ( and numbly)  for 5 years-  everything in its place each day, knowing the kids, having all the resources; actually having to start again requires being on the ball, on my toes, paying attention getting up mega early an working really hard to get things in place. Like making the classroom like a proper classroom (no proper displays previously) and setting things up like the Music Website and stuff phew phew. Very tired but kind of trying to remind myself that this is just now and that there will be a point where things are a bit more settled and again that word- routine.

I think it is an age thing. Seriously what has happened? I want a regular timetable of events - I dont remember being like this! Does any one else have this routine illness?

By the way I am sorry about this rather dull blog ranting about routines. Here I am in Cambodia on an adventure of  lifetime!! hehehe!

Maybe it is because I am at work, it has kind of made me feel to make a little nest egg here and get comfortable. Having said that I really want the different stuff too-its just what I am craving more than anything is group meditation (which I got out of moving here- but need to get back to the Wat, and start up a local group ect ect) and getting fit.

Tommorow I am collecting my new lamps from the market. I will try to take my camera with me so you can see a pic of what the market looks like. I keep forgetting to bring my camera as I have kind of got into living here mode which is where the initial excitement of being here has settled a bit and am thinking more practically things like, how am I getting home and what do I need to buy for my apartment- so apologies for not taking loads of pics- it will happen!

And having said all that- I have moments every day which bring me to a state of complete awe. Even just stepping out on the street and noticing the lady on the moped carrying about 1000 pairs of jeans on holding in hands and behind her- or 5 kids. Or then the things people do- such kindnesses. I cant imagine ever taking it for granted. I am so looking forward to exploring more of Cambodia in my holidays.


Lots of love and I cant believe you are still with me- thanks for perservering.


PS I have some sunflower seeds a friend gave me and I have been meaning to plant them for a month now- and here they still are ! I have got as far as getting the initial clear cups to plant them in but need now the soil (which I have not yet a clue where to buy but am sure will become evident) but I AM on the case!

PPS  had the funniest lesson today. My timetable had forgotton to include the fact that I would be teaching Reception (TWICE), so there I was relaxing into really getting some things sorted for my classroom- loads of paperwork spread out all over the floor- me splayed out in an unsightly contorted floorbound position and a group of bout 20 four year olds turn up. I had no plans, or clue what to do with them. So I just pick up guitar and sing a song I know, get them to move around the room dance and then proceed to try to teach them a song that is way to difficult for them as I was a little unprepared. Oh well they were still lovely but that was the most interesting lesson ever and good test on me working in the moment hahah

PPPS- I am learning Khmer- starting Saturday with a teacher- really excited!

PPPPS Can you believe I get up at 5 every morning. And this morning I woke up at 4.30am and thought- what the hell I may as well just get up seeing as meant to be up in half hour!!!  It is however the best time of day here. It is cooler, quieter, and a lovely time of day. Although it is 9pm now and I am falling over my computer with droopy eyes thinking perhaps this should be my new bed time. EXCITING WOMAN I AM!


Night (really this time) :) X

I have given up on WordPress. Yes I know it may have slightly more class about it but I am just a mere blogger of the every day type that wants to find doing things such as uploading a pic or two easy. So here I am- sorry for any confusion folks but hopefully I will have more luck. I am a bit too whacked to post pics on here at mo, but I will in future with hopefully a little more ease!

Just a mini update- sorry -sparse at mo as been quite busy- but am loving every single minute of it here.

Short summary of up till now:

Kep beautiful- albeit wet- coming back in November. We stayed at a beautiful guesthouse called the Boat House and Lori happened to alo be in Kep, invited us over to her guesthouse for a drink, to join her and her beautiful 2 Khmer children…So nice of her to invite us.

Lena- the owner took her to her village and we visited some absolutely beautiful rice fields!

Back in hot Phnom Penh on the bus- I was kind of happy despite tropical rain being exciting and not quite the same as a rainy day in UK!!

Markets- underground- many stalls- little areas for DIY, meat, vegetables, food stalls, clothes stalls ironing board stalls HEHEH. I am defo going to add some pics of this soon (she says hopefully).

In England – imagine you get a taxi to the shopping mall, and he gets out and comes and helps you shop! Well that’s what they do here- my tuk tuk driver gets out, helps me find the ironing board stall and carries it for me! What a sweeti- so many sweet people here I cant get over it at all

Monday

Went to the ‘bike street’ today and bought myself a beautiful red bicycle. And just in case you can’t tell what colour it is- it also has the labelled words ‘ROUGE’ on it. LOL

First day of term today, kids are filtering in bit by bit all week, and I start teaching Music next week which is cool as gives me a bit more time than had expected to set up things- have been feeling a bit overwhelmed with wanting to prep things really well- and do a really good job so if I have time to do that is even better. My assistant Borith- who is absolutely adorable- came in and helped me set up the displays in the room. We both sat there in a kind of blissful peaceful state Bob Marley singing in the background cutting bits of paper.

At the end of the induction David (the Vice Principal) said “ hey guys keep Friday free if you can as I am having a party at my restaurant for my 40th”

I don’t remember being invited to a head of my schools birthday before. How is it the principles can be so welcoming and open? Just this sense of the head and deputy being completely at ease, and even though of course leading the school, just kind of in it with us rather than being above, distant and separate, as what can happen often times in work corporations.

Went to local pool with Dav and Anina today and we were contemplating how lovely things were, with feet in pool, cold drink in hand- 5pm in the evening after a successful bike purchase adventure by Dav and myself.

I come home, remembering I have some ironing to do-wanting to look reasonably presentable for my new job.

Upon arrival I discover that Ming Ming has emptied my wardrobe, and ironed every single piece of clothing in there including my swimsuit.

I nearly cry.

To explain- Ming Ming is a beautiful lady in her 60’s with a beautiful wide smile and I met her when I came to view my apartment holding a huge bunch of bananas offering me one.  Had heard about people having cleaners, but I wasn’t sure this was a tad extravagant of me. Euan (previous tenant who is a Dutch chef you may remember), explained to me MingMing lived downstairs and cleaned his place twice a week for which he paid her. He asked if I would continue to take her on- as she would then have lost a job in effect, so it just kind of organically happened that MingMing would now become my cleaner.

Never in my life before (apart from when I was a young kid) have I come home to clothes all put away and ironed. I have no clue where some of my things are – and she has organised everything in this very particular way- its so funny and sweet and I feel so unbelievably nurtured !