Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
I began Saturday with a ride around Siem Reap and its immediate countryside, there is so much to see and experience that is so different from anything we know. I had to include town and countryside because I did not want to miss out on anything. The roads are still appalling, but I did see something to make me laugh - women were mending the potholes and at one very large and deep one I saw two women using a dustpan and brush to clear out the dust before they began placing the rocks that are used to fill - again killers for tyres and axles. On the way back I passed Chilli's to see the pig roasting - it was on a wonderful Heath Robinson contraption which included a bicycle wheel and a belt and a fire to the side of it. Whilst I was talking to Matt the belt snapped and that was the end of the rotating - previously it had been a difficult uphill and then the pig fell with a bump on the downside. However, he still predicted a 2pm feast. Kim and I wandered along for it, they had emptied many of their sand bags to make a beach on the riverside and from a few others they had made a sofa - too low for me to consider sitting on! The pork and apple roll was not bad and after a couple of Angkor Drafts we continued onto the Arts festival. Most of the stalls were NGO's sharing information about themselves and those that make things trying to sell them. Grace House were showing the baskets, mats, boxes, bracelets and bags that the GraceGecko ladies weave. They had also come along to show how the products are made. Raffles Hotel were hosting it and had a food stall, which did good trade, but was rather disorganised. However, the food was sensibly priced. The Siem Reap Scouts Brass Band entertained us alongside some acts we did not understand, but they involved tomato throwing and sheets being set alight - we found it all bizarre! At one point TV cameras came around and apparently I alongside others was seen on Cambodian tv on Sunday! It was a successful evening and the ladies had certainly enjoyed their time out and free dinner.
Sunday was a much lazier day, but with Kim and Julie enjoyed a very pleasant Italian meal in town.
The ride to school and back this week has been so interesting because of the activity in the fields, there is land being cultivated, rice being planted and some that has been rescued or not too badly damaged by the flood water harvested. We went to watch a few people cutting the rice with a sickle, today, the grains are drying on a mat well out into the road! However, many people are fishing in the flood water, that is still lying, at all times of the day. Some people are using trawl type nets, other baskets other bamboo canes and hooks etc.
The three inserts into road which we cross every day are now beginning to fail as so many very heavy lorry loads and buses cross them, many suffer punctures or damage to their underparts. When will the gov take action? Never, they don't seem to think a good infrastructure is important. My bike is beginning to suffer too, but I have escaped a puncture so far.
We are being serenaded this week by funeral music from dawn until dusk, it is coming from many different places, but travels far from its loudspeaker source.
Although we have had beautiful, sunny weather this week it does seem to be a bit coooler, although I still manage to sweat profusely all the time. Unfortunately, I lose water from all pores but fat does not seem to leave me in quite the same way - it may be due to the 50 cent Angkor beers which go down so well and easily at any time of day - but not when working.
Tonight is Wednesday so it must be1$ tapas at Soria Moria Hotel, it is when they train youngsters from local NGOs in waiting and serving at tables. Service is erratic and some ordered items never appear but for three plates and 2 glasses of good french wine it is 5$ it is a good evening. The place is always full of volunteers. NGO workers and expats.
Very sadly, my time here is nearly up, I leave on Mon 28 Nov and arrive in the UK the following day,
Need a shower and hair wash now. Enjoy the rest of the week and keep some warm weather for my return!
Love to all, J
- comments
Marg Jenny can't believe your time is up already. It's flown by. What an adventure you've had! If you fancy going home via NZ I'd be glad of some company. It is rather cloudy just now, the summer hasn't quite woken up, and Palmy has a cold wind blowing through it. I'm hoping to meet up with Vicky soon, though I'm waiting for the summer holdays first so as not to interfere with her work. I have hired a mobility scooter to get around on so freedom at last. And though it's quite a long way into town, I have plenty of time so every day is a little adventure. Not on the same scale as yours it has to be said!!! Enjoy your last while there.
Doreen Another interesting read, glad to hear you are back on the bike, but make sure you take care. Its a shame you have such a short time left after losing so much time at Grace House. look forward to seeing you soon, take care stay safe xx