Busy busy busy

Debbies
Last week at Debbie's we had the interesting addition of Nika, a Khmer lady who is a blind  masseuse (and who also speaks fabulous English!) This was useful because she could translate between Debbies and Sothys brother, teaching him how to lead a dead-blind person as opposed to a blind person, the dangers to look out for while guiding etc.

English Lessons
I haven't really done an update about English Lessons in a while, because they haven't really been happening all too often. However recently this has all changed!! Ma Gwen and Ma Alison are out in force!! One of the caregivers also now comes to the middle English Class, this helps with discipline but also gives us a chance to bond with her since they speak no english and we speak little Khmer.
Gwen is going to work with this group while I work with the younger age group which is another challenge in itself! In most classes someone is crying because another child has scribbled on their work, or pushed them, or one loses interest and starts throwing things at the rest of the class. I'm hoping once they get more settled into the routine it'll become a lot less stressful.!.!


Swimming/Football
On Saturday the 15th March we went to the Olympic Swimming pool with 12 of the older children, Phearon (the GH manager) and it was a lot of fun!!! I'm unsure how clean the water actually was as it neither tasted of Chlorine or Salt but the day was enjoyed by all and after a lot of splashing, being pushed into the pool and pulling people out of the pool it was time to shower and get changed. After this we watched a football game which was taking place in the actual stadium, the match was between  two Phnom Penh teams and I didn't really have a clue what was going on but it was a nice atmosphere and we spent a bit of money on tasty Khmer treats and drinks throughout the match.

At Olympic Pool

GH kids taking over!

Park
Since the school schedule swaps what time the kids go to school it was time again for another trip to the park! They thoroughly enjoyed themselves, (although we brought our youngest and most crazy/uncontrollable child who escaped from the park, took someones sugar cane juice and ran back into the park with it, cue chasing him around the park trying to apologise to the drinks owner. But hey hey all in a days work!) When Phearon joined us he did some races and assault courses with the kids which was very amusing to watch, see picture!!
After the park we went to the front of the Royal Palace and they chased pigeons for a while then returned home.

My crazy monkey

Games and Races

 Gals Outing!
We tried to organise something for International Womans Day but didn't manage to get a speaker in the end. Still working on it though! Instead we took all the older girls for a treat to Lucky Burger where they devoured Chicken Thighs, bread, and who knows what else instead of their usual rice!

Phnom Penh hits Siem Reap!!!

So Friday the 7th of March brought the start of our first adventure out of Phnom Penh to the distant lands of Siem Reap. It also brought an 8 hour bus journey. The company offered wifi throughout the trip, which is theory is great. In practice not so much, yes it was connected to the bus's wifi but not to much more than that!

Quadbiking

After meeting up with the girls from Siem Reap we went for a 'Sunset Quadbiking Tour' which was simply amazing. We had to have a 'driving test' which consisted driving a few hundred metres down a track, completing a series of turns then voilaaaa! The tour brought us through the backroads of Siem Reap so we could take in the landscape, pass by horrendously skinny cattle and wave back at all the children who ran out of their homes to see the passing 'Barang'. Finally we stopped in a field where we and clients from what seemed to be a few other tour companies took in the beautiful Cambodian sunset!

It was definitely a fun experience and I would do it again without a quim!

We love Cambodia!!!!

We went out on the Sunday to watch the Wales v England match in the six nations. Much to Gwen's dismay England won the match however the English people sitting beside us were absolutely over the moon!!!!!  We then went out with the Siem Reap girls and bumping into a few rugby friends along the way heading back to the Mad Monkey at 1. Ready to rise at 4 for Angkor Wat!

Cinema

As a relaxing activity on Sunday afternoon we went to the cinema, Cambodian style. Where you chose a film and watch it in a private booth. Someone definitely needs to bring this idea back home!!!

Temples
I was awoken at 3.45 to the sight of Gwen and the guy in the bunk below mine trying to turn over someone who was snoring - with varying levels of success. Eventually the snoring ceased and Gwen and I began to pack for the day ahead.
We had rented bicycles for $3 the day before intending to cycle round the temples rather than pay $15 for a tuktuk, as we left the hostel and headed towards the gate we bumped into two complete strangers, (fellow travellers) who couldn't sleep. One of whom decided to hop on the back of my back and come to Angkor Wat with us, the more the merrier!!)
The road soon turned pitch black, with Gwen leading the way we could hardly see what was in front of us until a Cambodian man riding a bike came behind us and we decided to follow him instead.
Upon arriving at the entrance we were asked for our tickets, which we hadn't purchased. This then turned into a $3 moto ride each to the ticket office - whoooops! Turned out we'd cycled down the wrong road which would have led us there on the way.

We arrived for sunrise, which wasn't that spectacular as it was cloudy in the morning which made it great weather for actually walking and exploring the temples. Our favourite temple was Bayon as there was so much to it and different places to explore. We then cycled along the 'long' route around the temples complex around 26 km in total. By this stage it was warm, very warm in fact and the wind was blowing against our direction of travel which didn't help. Many of the tuk-tuk drivers that were going past shouted encouraging messages of support in their best English applauding their efforts, others just laughed at the two red, sweaty white girls cycling through the country.

We were back at the hostel by 12 our check out time and spent most of the afternoon sleeping on the sofas upstairs or chatting with people!

Site of Meditation

Spot the Statue

Night Bus!

We had slight apprehensions about the night bus as we were due to arrive in PP at 6am and head straight back to Group Home for a day of work right after.  We desperately needed some sleep! And, to our surprise, sleep is most certainly what we got.  For a cross country bus, driving along cross country roads, our journey back was one of comfort and pleasure, to say the least.  We slept through 6 and a half hours and, to be frank, would happily have stayed on the comfy beds that made up the night bus a lot longer.

'Ma Blue Bum?'

First off, let me say that this working week hasn't at all been exciting. But every memory counts so here we go! :)

Activities
Group Home Movie NightOn the evening of Monday we put on a movie (Kung Foo Panda) for the Group Home Kids, it was Khmer so went down an absolute treat! We tried to make popcorn but sadly this did not turn out as planned and most of the kernels didn't pop! :( However the kids were very content with eating the un-popped kernels doused in sugar, so they were happy.

Yummy Popcorn...

Football at River
Since the Group Home got new footballs it has been a much loved source of entertainment, so on Wednesday morning Gwen and I with 7 children in tow headed down to the river to play a few games. It didn't turn out to be football, but just games with the ball. But thats all right.

We did play with it too!

Football turned photoshoot!

Debbies
On Thursday we went to Debbies, we now bring the child who's dead blind and his brother. This is so they can learn to communicate with each other because after Magna closes (which will happen eventually) what will happen to him. Deaf organisations will not take him because he's blind. Blind organisations will not take him because he's deaf. Solution???!!!?!?!?!

Pancakes (again)
We made more pancakes (again) because the kids liked them so much. Also because apparently we did pancake day 2 weeks earlier. Oppppppps. Oh well, more pancakes for us.


Like I said, no biggies this week, not much drama. Just chillllllin. Then we went to SIEM
REAP!!!!

One of my favourite photos :)

P.s 'Ma Blue Bum?' is a quote from one of our boys who thought Gwens bum was blue. Guess the primark leggings with a blue in the bum won't be making an appearance again!

Shout out to Anti Meg and DDD

First off to Anti Meg and DDD, caru chi. There's nothing more enjoyable than after a stressful hour of manic finger painting, retreating to our room opening emails downloaded and reading a delighting tale of the youth of DDD and taking note of the valuable life lessons that can be learned. This is a shout out to show our love, portray our enjoyment and say keep them coming. Always a highlight of a day.

Pancake Day
Our first GH cooking adventure was in the form of pancakes. Because it was pancake day and we didn't want to miss out!
This was eagerly anticipated by both of us and after a slightly stressful experience with the budget finally managed to grab hold of our requested $10. So off we popped to Lucky Supermarket with one of the older girls and Thea, the teacher of the younger kids. There was a surprising array of pancake mixes so we opted for one that we just had to add water too, less stress for everyone.
We got back and the pancake making got under way. It was fun and it was yummy!! (with surprisingly little drama occurring.)

Pancakes went down a treat!

Cooking Pancakes on the Stove!

Desk Officer Visit
Friday the 21st of February was another much anticipated date our desk officer visit! Heloise watched us go about our daily activities in the home such as taking some of the kids to the park. Then we went for PIZZA. We stayed overnight at the Group Home then met Heloise at the Mad Monkey from where we took a trip to the Russian Market. Involving a loooooong walk, getting lost a few times, asking for directions, finding ourselves on a street where another smaller local (cheaper) market is and generally having a lovely long conversation!

Amok
After the Russian Market we made our way to Imma's house where we met her husband Charles, (who is the most knowledgable man i've ever met!). It was lovely being in a proper HOUSE, where you can see things like toasters, and kettles. MADNESS
The food was absolutely amazing! A mango salad to start with, then fish amok followed by pastries and tea. We felt like a noble guest at the kings banquet.!

I have to say in this project we always feel extremely looked after by the adults who are around us. Imma and Charles are just simply amazing, if we have anything that needs finding or need an answer for something Imma is on the case. e.g. we mentioned we'd like a kettle and all of a sudden we're being brought to an electric shop to look for one. Didn't find one that suited the bill then when we're in Browns saying bye to Heloise and Imma pops in what does she have for us A KETTLE! (Thats one example in a fair few I can think of). Debbie, who works with the child who is deaf blind remembered the passing conversation we had about nits then has someone go out and buy us nit shampoo, her husband made us toast, tea, gave us juice. Then just before we left they set us up with a tub of chocolate brownies. yes.... CHOCOLATE BROWNIES. Needless to say they were gone in about an hour.

Sorry it's been a short and not very informative update. Hopefully next week we're getting strict with English Lessons, i.e. attendance, homework. We'll see how that goes.

Cheerio