hello - sorry there have been no blogs for a while. sadly I my camera has broken and it is in england at the menders! I feel lost and have missed a few kodak moments!! since I last blogged I have moved into my own apartment and below is part of an email describing the event...........................I'm writing this sitting in my new home of 24 hours with a cup of tea and some Milka (yummy) I rarely have chocolate these days, can you believe it? but I thought I would celebrate.A friend foundthe apartment 2 weeks ago and last weekend Alta and I trapiesed around PP bartering (Alta did)and buying a whole load of stuff as it is almost unfurnished. It took the best part of 2 days because fridges are in one street, cane furniture in another, bedroom stuff in another etc on top of which there is a 10 minute discussion about every detail!!! and it is HOT!After the purchase of any item is the practicalities of delivery, if it doesn't fit in the car it goes on the back of a motodup with a flatbed in tow and this is piled high with said purchases with yours truly perched at the front to direct to the house, that was fun, Next obstacle, getting it into the apartment which is on the first floor and the staircase to it is spiral!! enclosed under a corrugated iron roof and beside a wall.It was amazing - they hoist everything that can't go up the stairs with rope around the furniture and hauled up using the higher staircase which is not enclosed, commandering any man who happens to be around(one time it took 6) whilst watched by a crowd who throw in their suggestions during the process! This happened on several days through the week and on the Friday I moved with the help of Den (my moto driver) his friend who had a tuk tuk which carried all my bags and Yaan who is my help - the lady who does! so she will clean, launder and cookyeah!!!!!! twice a week all for $35 a month!!! She is my age has only 1 eye, is rotund, jolly and likes to talk we did quite well with me speaking a fair bit of Khmei and her English (we are probably on a par with knowledge of the other's language).So here I am the next street to Alta street 376 don't know the house no as there is no number painted on the outside but it is on the left 3 houses up from the corner of street 143 going towards street 163 (for those who google earth)

The apartment consists of a large main living room 1 bedroom, kitchen and bathroom - small compared to most apartments but I wanted smaller - it has a balcony so I can grow a few plants which I am looking foward to.

I love the apartment but the noise level is unbelievable - where I lived before was unusually quiet but I'm getting used to it.

hope to be coming home for a break soon so will catch up with you all then

lots of love

Ruth

moved