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Hi from a sunny Cambodia, although the water is up to the steps here again and the oads knee deep and more in large areas. By Thursday the water was recedng and we ere so hopeful that life was going to get back to normal, and indeed on Fri afternoon Amelia and I foolishly tried cycling into town. She is a young foolish Aus and I'm an old stupid retired woman who should have known better! We managed to stay on cycling through deepish water and potholes but we made it and it felt so good. However, the rains soon started, the water rose immediately, the lightning flashed, the thunder roared and it was like night - although an hour bfore sunset. Eventually we had to admit defeat and accept hat we'd have to leave our bikes in town and get a tuk back. A tuk driver I know came over and offered to put both of us and our bikes in the tuk. After much manoeuvering we all fitted in and our extrawide load began its journey back. Not a pleasant or easy one, nobody could see where we ere going and the water was rising at an alarming rate. The one occasion when I hadn't got my camera!
It rained heavily all Friday night and by yesterday we were back to being surrounded by our chocolate, brown smelly water - albeit slightly diluted by come clean. A truck was provided for us to go into town to watch the rugby and eat andthen to collect us later. The truck we had been using in earlier troubled times refused to come as he said we didn't pay enough, although he'd asked for 15$, so we refused to pay more. After a few more phone calls a new one was foun who wasonly asking 10$, so hopefully he'll return to collect us at 11:30 today so that we can have lunch with leith before she leaves and then go on to the rugby before our aqua journey home.
Our side is frivolous,we are all ed up and despondent about not doing what we came here to do, but it is nothing in comparison to avirtually all the locals. I have to frequently remind myself of the true facts when I'nm feeling miserable. Most of the projects are closed as they cannot be accessed, and of course, the locals are living in such horrendous conditions that getting toscool is the last of their priorities - most will be living in wet unsanitary conditions without food and the whereall to earn any money to buy it. One good thing is that with al the water there seem to be fish - there are nets set up opposite here on what was the pavement. People are throwing trawl nets in the streets and the river is lined with fishermen using a wide array of homemade fishing traps. Nick has tried to find us different projects to help out at next week, as GH is definitely closed for the rest of this month - Alan has now moved out to GH to live to support the families with whatever he can and no doubt they will have to provide more rice as the families will soon have used their 25kg allowance.
I have said that I will help at Trailblazers next week, it is an NGO that digs wells and make water filters - it is manual labour - washing sand and pebbles, mixing cement to make the containers and bagging up the different materials that are used to filter he water. As we all know wells cannot dug in these conditions, so it will be making the filters - I don't know how long I'll be able to sustain the labour but I'll give it a go. But I do know with these conditions we won't be able to get there tomorrow. The following week I'l spend with Mati and Geoff, hopefully showing them about, but that remains to be seen - we may have to decamp to the coast where conditions are better. A few temples are still accessible, so they should at least see those and we can get to Phnom Penh, although the Mekong is on high alert.
Some vols are comingand going without workingat theirproject which is disappointing and hard on them, so I feel with the alternative options on offer I should take last pick - I have aught enough in my life and have had lots of opportunities here too.
On Friday did some work for Globalteer - I felt like a lady riding backwards and forwards to the airport in my carriage! To help I agreed to collect the new volunteer arrivals from the airport, so on Fri I was there twice. It was interesting watching other tour guides welcoming their new people. But even more fascinating was looking at the guides feet! Most were wearing western black shoes that were many sizes too big for them - visitors cast-offs! A variety of tour firms are represented and I felt very important holding up the name card of the vols I was meeting. It is great fun trying to identify them before they approach you. Some arrivals had amazing luggage and clothes - obviously those that fly in and stay at the posh hotels for just three days andthen fly out without seeing or really helping the folks or economy of this country. They stay in hotels owned and staffed by the home country and travel in their vehicles etc - namely the Asian visitors. A few backpackers arrived, but most come here by bus - so much cheaper.
The pups which were moved to a drier place returned home on Thurs - they had grown considerably as at least one parent was related to an alsation, but how they will cope with the depth of water in thir ground I don't know. I haven't seen a dog swimming in the deep water, they mince about trying to find dry land for a wee, but many are howling.
The children are still having great fun in the water, but I'm sure the illness rate will zoom up, this water is horrible. the rubbish bags from the last four/five eeks are floating around in it and most have broken open - I do not want to know what was inside them!
Kanel. our day security boy has just phoned to check that the truck will come today, but because of the higher water the price has gone up to 15$, still worth it to escape for a few hrs - and as this is an Australian household at present, a rugby matched to be watched. We have had a NZ girl here for a few weeks , but we all found her very difficult to live and socialise with, she was adamant NZ were the only possible winners of the cup, so on those grounds I'd like to see them defeated. I know not a good reason!
My neighbours finally moved out on Thursday, they must have had enough of living up to their waists in water, they took everything down and put it on trucks and went. Today the whole of the area they lived in is a metre deep. Their cooking smoke doesn't wake me now at sunris or their livly chatter as they cooked and washed/washed up in water up to their thighs. I hope their new place is drier.
I hope thatmy next entry will be about much drier times, although it is not as bad as Thailand here, the countryside is according to reports I have read. This government I think, is now accepting that external help is needed and cannot rely upon NGO's, as many of its people do not have support from any. The major water festival that is held in Phnom Penh every year has been cancelled to allow money to be diverted to the helping of flood victims - this woud be wonderful if one could everything this gov says. I don't know what is happeningabout the one held here, but obviously it will not be possible if the river maintains its present level. This festival is one that everyone thoroughly enjoys, they make boats to race and there are fireworks every night, many rural folk come into town from kmaway to celebrate for a few days. All schools in SR were planning to close for three days, now we need to ait and see what happens. A little light relief may be a good thing as long as it is not dangerous.
Time for a shower before I go wading through town. The sun is still shining but clouds are gathering, surely the wet season must end - but in practice it can last until Nov.!
Enjoy your Sunday, hope work is going well for those who have to go, andthose who do not enjoy your pursuits.
Take careand love to all, J x
- comments
Jon And I think that when we feel despondent and miserable we must remember those worse off than us...lots more worse off!! Last Thursday the BBC Radio 4 AM early morning news contained a story about the problems in Thailand/Bangkok related to the flooding. A small piece which made no reference to and other part of SE Asia. Later the notes on the web about the highlights of the programme did not mention it at all. So I sent and email saying how bad it was in SE Asia in general and why were they ignoring this. No reply of course and no change in their approach. Such a pity. I guess the news of slimy Fox and his mate Werrity warrants far more in depth coverage rather than the lives of millions of people. We hope it improves soon for you!! Love Jon