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Wed.
Hi everyone
Firstly my computer has packed up for the moment, so I am using the volunteers one, all communication except skype is fine. I could try to have it repaired but may wait until Ric and Jenny come as they are computer buffs, and probably more knowledgeable than people here. Also I would trust them! If you can help it would be wonderful! Here is the problem - nowt happens when I press the power button - I did get a message but it went before I could act on it! The battery was charging ok.
As you can see the flood water is causing problems now. Yesterday morning I cycled to school but it was very frightening, you cannot see the holes or the depth of them and of course everyone is using the same space. The wheels wobble and get stuck in the stones and mud and waves come across as the impatient 4x4 vehicles and coaches go through with no regard for anyone! At one point I was following two bikes, each with two people on, they were going so slow I knew that I would fall off if they stopped, so I ended up shouting at them, "GO,GO, GO!' whether they or not they understood me or not I don't know, but we all stayed on. We had to come home a completely different way last night, it was further, but through beautiful countryside, before we hit the outskirts of town, market stalls and all it's mess and problems. The flood there was beginning, so the last part again hairy. Today we were collected by an old truck Alan has, so we were Ok. It is frightening to see so many childen playing in it with all the motor things that are now about.
The floods are being caused by excess water from Tonle Sap being pushed back up the river and water flowing down it from the mountains. We haven't had too much rain, but elsewhere must have done. Looking at the weather map our part of Asia should have had a fair amount, but we've missed it. I'm not sure how much longer the staff and vols will be able to get out if it rises much more. An unexpected hol would be good! Everyone is behaving the way we do in England when it snows; a great atmosphere prevails.
The down side is we had two ladies asking for help this pm as their homes are completely unliveable, no doubt by tomorrow there will be more. Although we have the safe house which has room for two families it would be unfair to be only able to offer limited help when so many need it.
http://www.irishweatheronline.com/news/environment/flood/parts-of-cambodia-under-water-as-mekong-river-bursts-banks/35206.html
This web page is very interesting as it shows the area this time last year and now, so you can easily see the reasons for our flooding - and it isn't even our rain for the most part!
On Saturday one of the cleaning girls was complaining that she was too tired, when Iasked why, she told me she was helping her sister do a party for moving house, to bless it. When I asked how many people would go was told between 200 and 300, they were all being catered for, but would leave their money in an envelope, but it is counted before anyone leaves and if the host smiles then there is enough to cover the costs and people can leave. These people are so, so poor and the new house is by the river, so will be flooded already.
Thurs The floods were receding very slowly, but now it is raining heavily here, so who knows what will happen. It is still unsafe for us to ride our bikes, the tuks have stopped going along our road to Grace House and the holes are so deep. Many of the poor families who were due their 50kg of rice today couldn't have it delivered because no transport could get along their tracks. Some came and put it on their cycle and were going to try and push it home, others were lucky as their moto could cope and others will have to wait or carry it. We are going to be collected again tomorrow and then the situation will be reviewed, but when we use our bikes again we will have to be very careful.
The number of children in school has gone down this week, but others like to come for something to do.
I'm managing to watch some of the athletics and US Open tennis, but none of the Cambodian staff are interested at all. I'm not sure if I'll find the rugby, but will try. We have a very keen NZ girl here who is a mad rugby supporter and another one is coming on Monday. An Oz is arriving tonight and a Greek girl next week, so things are livening up here and should be interesting.
I cannot remember the other interesting snipits I thought I would tell you, so hope they come back soon. Some of us may try to go to Battambang this weekend, but flooding may stop us.
Take care all, keep your messages coming and hints for computer repair will be welcome!
Love to all, J
Dorreen - I will send you an email, but wedding happenings seem exciting and well advanced. Hope the children are OK and that school is not too bad when it starts again. Have you managed to get all your homework done!!! Bet Jo and Karen didn't! Take care, J x
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