There was no stopping me this weekend as I took part in a local cooking class, visited an Ngo market, watched local and barang Football, had a couples Spa day with Rosie and finished the weekend with a traditional Khmer bbq. I am not unfamiliar with the cooking class, having done it twice before, however every time it is worth the dollar! I made fresh spring rolls with shrimp, a Cambodian curry and a banana and coconut pudding….i think it was fair to say i didn't need to eat for the rest of the day. The couples spa was an interesting one- my friendship with Rosie now has no boundaries as we had to get butt naked side by side in jasmine baths as well as whilst having our massages. However neither of us seemed to question the fact that we really didn't need to be unclothed for the majority- guess the masseuses liked what they saw….still when in Cambodia. The Khmer bbq is a must here. You have your own stove with a dome like pan, around the outside go boiling water, vegetables and noodles and whilst that is cooking the meat, which is presented on little plates, can be added in the middle. Once the meat has been eaten with rice which is served on a separate dish, the water which has now turned to stock, vegetables and noodles can then be consumed.

On the music wall front it's been a tricky and tight deadline but I've finally done in. With amazing help from Andy and Pete the instruments managed to go up in no time at all. Finishing touches were then made and a well-earned slice of cake was purchased. I can't believe that my plans 4 weeks ago have turned into a functioning music wall. Never in my dreams did I think it would be possible and at some points along the way I began to question what I was doing. The aim with the wall, apart from to annoy cha Mon and cha Tom with all the noise, is for it to be used during music lessons. The teachers could use it for composition work and instrumental work which would give the children the space to explore different sounds without using the standard instruments. Let's hope it makes them all as happy as it's made me to complete it.

So aside from the amazing feeling of achieving the music wall this week has been fab! Ros and Pete arrived back in town and I've caught up with Dave and Heather. I have even tried to resist the temptation of beer and opt for wine instead- probably just as fattening but it's the thought that counts. At abc's I've been able to have a fair bit of classroom time making wooden aeroplanes, drawing around bodies with chalk to then measure the length of the children and reading the children stories. I've especially enjoyed working with Soky. I watched her blossom even more as a teacher. I've suggested a couple of methods which she has taken on board and we've been bouncing ideas off of each other. My time however at ABC's and Rice has come to a close but I shall be back in two weeks with mum in tow. Even though I'll only be gone a short while I'll miss riding past the school bus at lunch with the children shouting and waving cha Bess, those special little hugs and the smiles they all give to you when they see you. I can't wait to be back already!

So it's goodbye Cambodia and hello Thailand!

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