Monday, 29 June 2009

• First Impressions... are wonderful!

  Here's a picture of my first meal in Phnom Penh at the school cafeteria... very tasty... a wonderful foodie adventure... I'll put all picts so far into a slide show at the bottom.

  The first pict are of Vietnam... a not to Brenda's lovely farewell poem... and then the river photos are as the plane approach Phnom Penh... then there are picts of my empty-ish room... and then some of the purchases made shortly after arriving...

  then the feast is from the church farewell party saying good bye to the Pastor's sister who is on her way to Singapore... did I mention how wonderful the food is??? It's hot lunch everyday... the family's slow cooker is a huge cauldron type affair over coal fire... the stew for the party took 3 hours to prepare all the fresh herbs and spices and flavours then about 20 hours of cooking... the beef (?) melted in my mouth like butter... and the bread a very light french baguette... a legacy of French colonization.

  I've been learning how to text on the used nokia cell phone I was given... slow going... I've enjoyed having my Khmer pronunciation corrected by a 5 year old... go Selina go... oh for the confidence of a happy child!  She is very gracious when I correct her English and is a very motivated and enthusiastic learner. 

  Yesterday on the scooter ride home I saw something remarkable. There was this "recycling" rickshaw, I don't think there is recycling here, none the less this hand drawn covered mesh bin on wheels was full of empty tins and bottles. Suddenly I noticed a wee passenger... a hammock was strung under the cover and a tiny naked baby was napping.  Her granny must have been caring for her the best she knew how.  I'll keep trying to hold these moment for you and share them... pray with me this place will know an ongoing just peace and that my heart may also know this same serenity.

  Happily today Sheryl Roberts called and had some Khmer study books for me to work with.  This window of time before the school year starts is so precious... I hope to make the most of it. If I can learn the "alphabet" I'll be well on my way to making meaning of the wonder of this language!

  Please pray for my swollen fingers and feet... I'm working hard at staying hydrated... yet sometimes I get a bit nervous about our water filter and if the freshly cleaned cups are dry enough to be safe for drinking. There is this wonderful drink called "Royal D", another treat which Sheryl and John Roberts introduced me to, what a great way to amp up my electrolytes.

  Currently The Magician's Nephew By C. S./ Baynes, Pauline (ILT) Lewis see related

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