I was very sad yesterday to leave my children, who were very sweet and gave me drawings and notes and little presents like a very flat dried banana. I was sick with a cold on Wednesday so wasn't up to singing and being teacher so had a day off, then the Director called a day's holiday on Thursday for Independence Day, which fell at the weekend of 9/10 Nov, so I was worried that I wouldn't complete all the phonics sounds but managed to do so on Friday. I handed out pens, pencils, erasers, sweets and balloons which seemed to go down well. There is another volunteer due on 4th December so I've left everything ready in case she wants to continue, however, it is not yet decided to which project she will go. Why not, you ask? Well, this is Cambodia.
Maggie from NZ and I decided to go to the free concert at the local Kantha Botha hospital this week. It is part of their ongoing fundraising by Dr Beat Ritchner, a Swiss Pediatrician who has been such a positive force for the health of children here since the 1970s. Have a look at Beatocello.com for an overview of this amazing man's achievements. We got to the concert hall within the hospital which was donated by "a Swiss family" and where I had seen the crowds of parents and children on my way to the orphanage at the start of my stay. (You can see them on the video on the website).
There was a chair on a rug on the stage and, gradually the hall filled up. Then a pleasant young man got up and said that Dr Richner was in Switzerland "but we did not tell you because we wanted to show you our work". How Cambodian, and how could we resist? We both were blown away by how Dr Richner had set it all up - the doctors and staff are all well paid so there is no corruption and all patients are treated for free including free medication and transport if they have to go back for a repeat appointment. This has improved the health of the children here out of all recognition and provides such a great facility both here and in Phnom Penh.
Anyway, today I went for a walk near the Royal Residence where painting and decorating is in progress. When I said to Pisey yesterday "it looks as if the King is due", she said "he's already here - that was the traffic hold up this morning". That will also account for all the trees next to the Residence being trimmed as well, so today, he has the bonfire next to his windows!
Near to the Residence is the big Temple where there were no less than four weddings in progress today. I asked this young couple if I could take their picture as they were being arranged by their photographer into the correct pose, this they were happy with ....
And here are the bride and groom being posed on a lucky white elephant in the temple grounds:
Sorry it's a bit dark - I need to run it through Photoshop. It is a very bright clear day today with a nice, cooler breeze after some very hot muggy days, cleared by two terrific thunderstorms this week. I then went to the Foreign Correspondents' Club for a coffee as I walked along the river. It's in an old colonial residence and, as you can see, has a lovely (evening) seating area overlooking the river. It has also has foreign correspondents' prices, so is best for an occasional treat.
As I walked on I saw my favourite bicycle salesman with his awesome stock. I have seen him here before, under the trees at lunchtime.
It is so sad that I couldn't take any wicker or straw items into Australia, they are so well made and beautiful.
I was making for the bookshops (second hand) as I realised as I was checking in online for my flight tomorrow, that I had a good nine hour stop over in Kuala Lumpur and wanted something to read. Yes, I've got my Kindle but really prefer to hold a book. Mission accomplished with the Once and Future King that I thought the children might also enjoy when I get to Oz, and essays from the laconic American humorist David Sedaris that their parents might too.
My journey took me down a very sleepy Pub Street which has developed from one small road to a whole district full of bars, restaurants, shops and markets which are hopping most of the night. At the start of the dry season umbrellas were strung along the main streets of this area. They are very pretty but have been getting filled with water during the thunderstorms. This, they cascade on unsuspecting people walking underneath.
Tonight I've booked to go to dinner at a hotel called the Angkor Victoris which is supposed to have a dancing show in its lovely grounds. However, when I went to book they said "no dancing" but as I went to go the other night when they said there was, and there wasn't, I am keeping my fingers xxxed.
Finally, the humour of tuk tuk drivers:
"Madame, free ride to Old Market. Tip is $1,000".
"Madame, let me take you round the world"
And from to whom I had said "no thank you" "but, Madame, I did not call you"
I've had great fun here. What a complex place.
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