Kelly's Travel Blog

2008-06-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

2008-06-19T13:13:00.002-07:00

Well...thats the end of the NY pic's as you can see...

Spent four days and a criminal amount of money there...and so I had to get my arse back home and even by pass Dublin altogether (did see the Airport though). This is me and my brother with son Keelan in the nearest pub to Bristol Airport we could find, (getting our priorities right again obviously)...

A pint of carling and a slap up greasy lunch later and im preparing to come to terms and ease myself into british life once more...

2008-06-19T13:13:00.001-07:00

A small tribute pic to my mate Lyndsey. The Pastis Restaurant in New York, where she used to work as a waitress...

2008-06-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

Central Park....again! Watched some dudes fixing up the John Lennon Memorial thing on the floor...cant beleive i managed to get this shot as it was rammed and i was getting elbowed and shoved from all directions..

2008-06-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

More Central Park pic's...

2008-06-19T13:05:00.000-07:00

2008-06-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

2008-06-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Central Park from the top of The Rockerfella Centre.

2008-06-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

Had to squeeze my camera through a little gap in some netting covering a barrier to get this shot. Its Ground Zero. Still no where near completed, with regards to whatever is gonna go there. It was a little odd watching the construction and looking up trying to capture some idea of what the terrible scene from 9/11 must have felt like... obviously that was pretty difficult, even trying to imagine the incredible size of the Twin Towers above all the other massive buildings was enough food for thought for one day...

2008-06-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

Central park on a Sunday full of peeps relaxing and jogging and shouting at naughty kids....and Brooklyn Bridge. Didn't get a chance to see Brooklyn in the end so will have to make it a priority next time..

2008-06-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

MR. HOTDOG...

2008-06-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

Time Square

2008-06-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Back in New York...had no choice due to previously arranged flights onto Dublin. That's a pic of the fire escape out the window of my hostel...then there's me pissing about, oh and a church...I could go into some church info for you but to be honest...who cares man...

2008-06-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

2008-06-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

The Everglades were really beautiful, plenty of bird life, croc's and Alligators to keep you entertained. Plus the way the hover craft slides sideways when turning a corner, was pretty cool man...!!

2008-06-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

Having said that I did get my hands on one myself...only a little one though. Actually I was a little disappointed as id already held a four footer and this just didn't seem....i don't know..scary enough...

2008-06-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

Cant believe how close the park guy got to these little nippers.... But i was safe in the knowledge that while they were munching on Mr. Stupid, i had enough time to leg it...!!!

2008-06-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

Got a chance of a ride on a hover craft...very cool man. Unfortunately wasn't able to actually drive the thing myself...dude didn't think it was a good idea..funny that??

2008-06-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

2008-06-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

and more wildlife at the Seaquarium...thats not a real shark by the way...

2008-06-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

More wildlife at the Seaquarium..

2008-06-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

Got soaked by these particular splashes...the fish behaved though.

2008-06-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

Seaquarium

This was really cool. Never seen a killer whale before so I was pretty exited. The Dolphin show was awesome too and i was so impressed at how well trained they were. Even more impressed by the speed at which Dolphins can actually swim..! The sharks were a bit disappointing though....they didn't even attempt to entertain us...or take a bite out of the keeper...lazy bastards.

2008-06-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

2008-06-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

Versace took his last breath of sea air...before he was gunned down on these steps.

2008-06-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

2008-06-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

Downtown Miami

Took a tour of the city. It was OK, apart from the hopping on and off of different tour buses and having to really concentrate as the drivers wee all Spanish. They were really friendly though and always willing to help. The tour took us through the city shopping area, Coconut grove and down to little Havana where about 80% of Cubans live in Miami. I did actually see two Cubans.....smoking Cubans. Wasn't quick enough with the camera though.

2008-06-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

Life's a Beach!

Ahh this is what I was made for. Lounging on the chalky sands listening to the surf break on the shore with absolute peace and quiet. It was off peak in Miami so there were mostly Americans on vacation. My serenity was interrupted for a brief moment when a guy came up to me, while is was sunning myself and asked me out. Bloody hell Ive only been in his country 2 minutes....Haven't these Yanks seen a greasy haired, tattooed, lobster skinned blonde before...?

2008-06-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Miami

2008-06-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

Once out of the airport i jump into a limo taxi...not that i can afford limos. The dude charged me less than the yellow cabs and it was more comfortable. In fact 'Murphy' that was his name, couldn't do enough for me. He was black and Spanish American. He rang a mid-town hotel for me (must add he introduced me as his wife)? He then proceeded to recline my chair and place his rolled up jumper behind my neck....if this wasn't enough he also was fond of my tattoo and didn't mind giving it a quick stroke now and again. I know what you're thinking...this sounds a bit creepy. Well it was but at the time i was half asleep, having hardly slept in the last 40 hours. I don't think the dudes taxi was registered but i wasn't too bothered about that either. I was just happy to be getting to my bed. On top of all this Murphy sang blues to me, brushed my hair (it was obviously my turn for the Tina Turner on a bad day look) and at one set of lights, whilst I'm looking at the pictures of his new house on his fancy mobile...he jumps out and then jumps back in holding a big red apple...!!!

“Well” I said. “You're mental”. To which he replied. “Let me take you out to dinner tonight” and “ I'm having a BBQ Sunday, would you like to join us” and “when you get back in town give me a call and you can stay at my house”. To all i replied. “Look mate, you're very sweet but I'm very tired and can barley hold a conversation together let alone eat a meal”. Before i started going anymore crimson and feeling anymore surreal we were at the hotel. I should add here that i paid the guy the flat rate charge he told me which is $45, Murphy didn't get a tip.

I'm glad i didn't give him a tip, as when i got to the hotel i was charged an enormous rate for my room...a rate i didn't expect (must have misunderstood Murphy's dodgy accent) anyway crippled by one night at the New Yorker (very nice with art deco influence, massive flat screen TV and only $2 luggage hold). I decide food is no longer needed and coffee, sweets and free airline fodder will have to see me through. Plus Etihad airlines gave out free eye mask, socks and toothbrush...bargain.

Spent the next day typing like an idiot and locating the best deal to Toronto or Miami. I wanted to see Niagara Falls but i also fancied some beach time to catch up with my blog and chill out in some eclectic premises. So Miami it was. Got 6 nights and 7 days at the Days Inn Oceanside with return flight included. Not very backpackery I know but it actually turned out cheaper than the 4 night, flight one way only, and crummy hostels i could find for the same dates. had a quick message from Lynsey, informing me that I should be tipping these Americans for...well...everything by the looks of it....shit.

2008-06-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

The Big Apple...

Finally with only hours to spare...well 24 in fact. I manage to book a flight to New York. The east coast was where i had to head in order to have enough time and money to see a bit of America before my onward flight. That reminds me, lucky I had booked an onward flight as i forgot that you need one before you can enter the country. Plus you also need an address in advance. Bloody hell man it took all my lying skills to banter my way through that customs gate. The dude didn't look impressed by my scruffy backpacker appearance and the fact i was travelling alone and he wanted to know how i fund myself and will I be meeting anyone. Bloody nightmare. In the end i made up the address on the spot at Abu Dhabi airport as they wouldn't let me on board without one either. Ended up using the name of a restaurant Lynsey used to work at and saying it was a guest house too. Well they bought it so another annoying airport control passed.

2008-06-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

Once we'd done Hanoi....spent a fortune on gifts and getting silk dress' made to measure (that was a journey in itself as neither of us are exactly Asian size) and Lynsey had finally bought every scarf and tie and dress and god knows what else under the Asian sun, we were off to Bangkok...the final leg of our journey was upon us...one night in Bangkok, just enough time for me to decide where the hell i was gonna book my next flight to, whilst Lynsey waited with excited anticipation for her mum to arrive and whisk her off to beach and bulging purse heaven...!!

2008-06-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

2008-06-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Ho Chi Minh

In all his embalmed glory was witnessed by us and about 10,000 other weary souls passingthrough at a snails pace, dodging looks of distaste and prods to move quicker from the guards.

It was ok ...not something i'd bother with again but Lynsey and I thought we better get some culture while we're here and seeing a dead guy seemed a good idea at the time....

2008-06-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

One night we had to get some tickets for our flight to Bangkok, however we didn't realise that the lady wasn't able to hand them straight over herself (and there's us thinking she was a travel agent...duhh). Well in fact she was but as always things are not done the most logical way in Asia and so i was volunteered by Lynsey to jump on the bike with taxi dude and lady, and endure a hell raising journey through crazy traffic to get our tickets at another agency.....whilst holding on to our 3 million Dong with my dear life, as that life would have been well and truly snuffed out if Lynsey had found i lost the cash.....she couldn't give a rats arse about my safety...priorities first I thought.

2008-06-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

Lynsey doing what she does best...sipping wine and looking gorgeous.

2008-06-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

While on board we were told in no uncertain terms that were not to purchase any drinks from the girls that row upto the boats in the day or night. Well, i could see why this was...as the girls were charging a fraction of the cost for a can of coke or bottle of wine compared to the dude in the boat bar. Didnt stop us though...hanging over the side we got our stuff and threw it straight into our room before they saw us...then for good measure, we got our pictures taken with the girls too.....so up yours boat boys!

2008-06-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

Me on the boat and at a lovely vantage point overlooking part of the bay. The boat was a good decision as we had a fun time and got to drink wine and watch the sun go down before our evening feast...which we hadn't paid for...

2008-06-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

Some pic's of underground caves we visited as part of our boat trip around Ha Long Bay. The scenery was pretty dramatic and the effect cool, due to all the lights placed around the caves we could see all sorts of formations in the rocks...although we would have needed pretty good imaginations to match some of the stuff our guide appeared to be spotting..

2008-06-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

Whilst on board our luxury boat (actually...we only paid about $50 each, thinking we'd end up with some shitty tug boat), however we ended up on a really nice boat with a posh dining room, free meals and a comfy room with one of only two showers on board. Must have been a mix up somewhere, cause another couple weren't too happy when they realised they'd paid much more for the same thing....Lynsey and I kept our mouths well and truly shut.

2008-06-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

Whilst in Hanoi Lynsey and I decided to get our arses out of that shit hole and move to more calmer waters...Ha Long Bay. A beautiful stretch of water, surrounded by caves and endless natural rock formations. Kayaking, drinking and general relaxation...something Lynsey and I excel at...well maybe not the kayaking...lets just say we wont be sharing again..

2008-06-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

HANOI

a city full of Vietnamese (obviously)....also an interesting mix of modern and traditional shops, boutiques, road side eateries (with plastic baby chairs), lots of face masks, Chinese inspired lanterns, bustling roads (danger danger, high voltage...literally), a couple of churches, free wifi, locals shoe shiners, local military, all manor of smells (not always like the familiar whiff you get when passing your local takeaway) and lots and lots and lots and lots of mopeds..

2008-06-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well..having travelled to Hanoi and made it one piece we were hoping to get into a half decent guest house...but still pretty cheap. The first one didn't have any rooms and sent us round the corner to another, which after a long day, we couldn't be arsed to be sniffy about. So we got to our room and were welcomed by smelly carpet, a window that didn't close (so noisy fighting and mopeds all night), a fridge that was always empty and doors that didn't exactly lock very safely. This shit hole was enough to have Lynsey in a pretty jumpy state and the one (and only) night, we....sorry i mean i, was awoken'ed by Lynsey shaking me and turning the lights on as she was convinced someone was outside the door...just loitering..? In the end booby traps were required.. and so we put a chair against the door and balanced glass' on the edge of that. This I thought would be perfect and would calm Lynsey down and let me get at least an ounce of sleep....

Didn't happen....glass fell off the chair....Lynsey jumped first (no surprise there) and then i sort of became alert and realised 'summit was up'! A unanimous "What the fuck was that" and "fuck me, the glass has fallen" and "Quick check the door".....doesn't sound it now, but it was pretty funny and for a moment i thought "We've caught the em"..but turns out it was the vibrations from the nearby train track, which incidentally felt like it was running past our bedposts.

2008-06-10T05:07:00.000-07:00

Once the absolute bedlam and crazy antics of 'The Self Help School' in Cambodia were confined to history, Lynsey and I set off for our next adventure... This time we were hoping for some quiet retail therapy time in Hanoi. Some time to relax and ponder over our experiences, over the good times and the bad, over the children and wonderfully welcoming people we had met. Our aim...to enjoy Vietnam (1st time for Lynsey, 2nd for me) and get on the road again. However things, once again in the usual tradition where I am involved, didn't quite go to plan...

So what can you see...a table, a door, two glasses and some grubby flipflop. Well the story will follow..

2008-06-10T05:01:00.000-07:00

2008-06-10T04:53:00.000-07:00

2008-06-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

This was one of Lynsey and I's last nights. The reason we are all dressed in criminal looking PJ's is because we noticed the locals actually wore these outfits as part of their everyday attire....? Then Trisha decided it would be a good idea if we all donned them as a funny farewell memory for the group.....well it was definitely funny and at times slightly mortifying. Especially as Lynsey and I had to put ours on in a restaurant while we waited for the others to show. Jesus we weren't impressed, people gave us some rather odd looks....although a french couple gave a couple of nods of approval at the next table.

Well by the time the others arrived we were feeling a little better (plus a couple of GnT's later) as, at least we were in some kind of group and not looking like couple of lemons with extremely bad taste!!!

2008-05-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

There were probably other moments worth mentioning but have unfortunately escaped my mind, waiting to be awoken at some later date when I'm home (drinking wine) and thinking about my time in Cambodia. Moments that are restricted to memory alone as photo's are not available....like when i began to dig myself a bigger and bigger hole whilst trying to explain Religions, Priests, Vicars, Cross', Church's, Chapel's, The Bible, Turbans, Muslim's and all sorts of crap like that...in the end i had to put a stop to the inquisitive front row and explain the word Atheist...

2008-05-30T15:21:00.000-07:00

Lynsey's friends from Scotland, Kelly and Johnathan dropped by whilst travelling through Asia to check out the school and explore Siem Reap. Didn't take long before the agenda shifted to checking out the bar's and exploring the cocktail menu..

2008-05-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Then there was the day i was minding my own business, lounging by the pool and my lighter explodes under my arm...!

2008-05-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Oh and there was the day Lynsey, Trisha and I went to the local night market for a quiet drink and within moments of sitting down Trisha feels a heavy thud on her head...

The next bit is an hysterically funny blur of Lynsey, hands to mouth gasping in shock, me looking on like a lemon not knowing what's wrong and Trisha sitting rigid, hardly breathing...

Next thing, Lynsey sees a pair of black eyes blink at her and attempts a swat at the 'FROG' with a cigarette pack...

This then sent the 'FROG' flying onto my head, where it hung swinging from my hair before deciding to crawl its way over the top and down my forehead!

Well you can imagine the hysteria...and just when you need a camera..this time Lynsey just wasn't quick enough...

(frog in pic, not actual frog)

2008-05-30T14:43:00.001-07:00

The day we had just finished an horrendously tiring afternoon and whilst delirious from that the Tuk Tuk crashes....sideways down an embankment into an electric fence.

Now this was one of the funniest moments we had...yes, we could have been hurt but the only thing hurting me were my ribs, from all the laughing.

Lynsey on the other hand managed to compose herself enough to jump from the doomed Tuk Tuk just seconds after impact and begin taking photos from the embankment....I wish i had the photos now. You'll just have to wait for the one of me scrambling up and out...

2008-05-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

The day Lynsey, Alice and I went horse riding and I nearly fell off my horse when it galloped head on into the side of a house, had a heart attack when a dog jumped us from a garden fence and almost decked the patronising instructor...

2008-05-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

Like the day we tasted some fish that the monsoon dragged in...

2008-05-30T14:31:00.001-07:00

There were a few funny moments along the way too......

2008-05-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

I stayed in Cambodia for four weeks in total. Only worked at the school for two weeks as Jenny took my place and Alice fell into Lynsey's role after the third week. If i were to sum up how I feel about my time at the Self Help School, I'd say my experience has given me a greater sense of respect for teachers all over the world. A job that is demanding, consuming, tiring, frustrating and at times tedious also has the potential to be uplifting, motivating, satisfying and a totally enjoyable experience, with feelings of true achievement. An important and fantastic position to be in....for the right type of person of course.

Teaching....nah, it ain't for me...

2008-05-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

What a cutie...!

2008-05-30T13:58:00.001-07:00

2008-05-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

2008-05-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

2008-05-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Sambeth's Birthday..!!!

They don't celebrate birthdays in Cambodia and too be honest I don't know how old he was but we had a cool time, eating cake, spraying funny string and generally getting no teaching done..

2008-05-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

While at the palm tree, bamboo school, there were three other class' being built and set up for teaching. These were a little better equipped for our needs....well they were concrete and had a roof.

Seeing as we were yet again swamped, the guys moved the seating into the new class..

2008-05-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

2008-05-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

Lady at the back with the really sweet smile is Jenny from Australia. She was volunteering (actually took over from me when I left the school) for about six weeks then meeting up with her daughter in Vietnam. The other two were friends of Judy (one of our coordinators) and ran the restaurant that made the birthday cake.

2008-05-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

While in Cambodia it was Alice's 19Th Birthday and not having a lot of cash we threw together some wall hangings, got some booze (large amount of budget went on that), few bits and bobs to eat and a Birthday cake. Alice was most pleased...if not slightly light headed from the wine, as she kept disappearing for long periods then popping back. Well the party did go on for most of the day so she deserved a little nap here and there. Being veteran party people. Lynsey and I pushed on through till about 7pm. Typical..always the last ones standing. Then we took the party to town.

2008-05-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

This procession of people carrying something beautifully decorated was seen at a distance and so it was photo time....however Trisha asked a local police man what was happening just as I looked on and realised we were taking photo's of a funeral...horrified to say the least but I don't think anyone noticed us..

2008-05-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

Trisha from Australia now living in New Zealand was also volunteering, at a different school. Here she is getting a dress made in a local shop..

2008-05-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

These two wanted to hold our fans so much we both started wandering....plus that was the last time we saw those fans..

2008-05-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

2008-05-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

Dinner..

2008-05-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

2008-05-29T11:10:00.001-07:00

Since the classroom was beyond help...tuition continued, care of some sacks of cement and a very soggy text book..

2008-05-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

2008-05-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

As you can see a little bit rain doesn't stop the kids or the teachers having a good time. In fact i think they love it when it rains cause they strip off and go searching for frogs, fish and snakes for dinner..

2008-05-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

The day Lynsey was spending her time in the bathroom, Nisha and I were treated to the most ferocious monsoon wind and rain since we arrived. Only moments into my first class the swift breeze that we have learned to be wary of (as it's usually followed by the rains) began to sweep through the classroom. Both Nisha and I looked at each. I continued the class with one eye on the kids and one eye on the sky. Hoping it would be OK and got on with some drawings on the board. Then the first taps of water danced along the palm leaf canope.

This was soon followed by the sound of nearby trees swaying and fighting the winds, spreading their branches and rustling their leaves. It wasn't long before the classroom began to move and the whole structure was deemed unsafe....must add that by this time Nisha and all the children had run for shelter in a nearby building and I was left still holding the fort whilst watching muddy water creep up my mozy bitten legs. eventually Sambeth advised me to get a move on as he and Sol had to get planks of wood to hold the school up.

2008-05-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

The Local Petrol Station..

2008-05-29T05:33:00.000-07:00

Lynsey and Sol exchanging flip flops as Lynsey's were about to Die. Nisha looking for yet another marker pen for the board (we never had enough)....and Sol who insists on carrying Nisha's bag everywhere was eventually nick named 'Lady Boy'.

On one particular day, which I believe was a Tuesday, I went to school alone as Lynsey wasn't feeling to good (the Cambodian craps i recall). I remember thinking...I hope Nisha comes in otherwise school today is gonna be a right hand full. However panic over as Nisha was there and we started discussing our plan of action. I normally took the first class and Nisha would usually take the last one. This is while Lynsey is doing the Spanish class with Sambeth. That way we all do equal amounts of teaching, unless the kids don't show and then we sit in on each others class' to help the kids at the back.

2008-05-29T05:14:00.000-07:00

Sambeth our Khmer, English and Spanish teacher...he also drove the Tuk Tuk.

Days 4 and 5..

Was so tired after these days that i couldn't muster enough energy to write my days events. To be honest both days were really hot and we found it pretty difficult to concentrate on teaching whilst swatting flies and insects. I remember on one of the days i jumped on the back of Sol's push bike and we road to the local market to pick up some cola's for the group. (any excuse to skive). On the way back Sol stopped at a house (in Cambodia everyone knows everyone and everyone shares and welcomes everything). I was then offered some fried fish which even though it looked a little rough i graciously accepted....mmmmm very nice actually, however i wasn't so keen on the rice wine they were insistent i drink. I tried to explain that I'd already been through this in Vietnam but my Khmer is non existent and Sol was just laughing and not helping at all, in fact he was enjoying watching me suffer...!!

The days that followed my first week tended to be much of a muchness....that's to say, we would leave at 2pm everyday, come wind, rain or shine take a very bumpy tuk tuk ride for about 45 minutes to the village...while waving and saying hello to all the villagers and kids shouting our names as we passed. Then on arrival, a small chit chat amongst Lynsey, Nisha and I and before you know it, its time for "Julrian". That's the Khmer word for study.

2008-05-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

Day 3..

Lessons went as usual....coming and going of children of all ages and abilities fleeting between which ever class they chose. The two front row's of class being the more consistent and eager pupils. Really hot and humid day today. Teaching was tiring and mentally exhausting but still a lot of fun. The children are so cute, welcoming and happy to be there, that whatever mood you may be in or no matter how hot and tired you are, the kids dispel that and take your attention to more fun things. Like the colour of my watch, hair or eyes. The names of the objects around us....a bike, a tree, a wall etc.. The simple words have to be repeated over and over so that they will remember for the next day and beyond. Today was funny though as it was getting on for 7pm and class was delayed due to lighting issues again. Once that was finally sorted, I turned my back for an instance to write on the board.....next thing the middle row of about eigght children screamed as their bench and table collapsed and they all hit the deck! Oh..I laughed. I knew that row was over crowed but some days its empty and some days its standing room only. So that class was conducted while Sol and Sambeth hammered it back together.....as you can imagine, chaos..!

2008-05-29T04:46:00.000-07:00

Day 2..
We arrived at 3pm and took a very hot walk with 'Sambeth' (one of the Khmer student teachers) to visit the existing Khmer school that houses about 600 pupils and only about 4 teachers. The classes were pretty disorganised, some being in doors and others under a makeshift roof made of bamboo leaves. The resources are scarce and they are running out of rice to feed the kids. Having said that the kids are really happy and inquisitive. Always asking how we are and what our names are. Very cute and very polite they really make you feel welcome. After the trip we head back to start lessons. The Khmer teachers are not too hot on their English and do not get paid to teach, however together we try and muddle through and provide some kind of lesson plan working from books they are using at the moment. To be honest the school could do with proper Khmer and English teachers, in order to provide accurate, consistent and organised English tuition that the pupils can enjoy and carry on at home...however at the moment all they have is some pretty shitty lesson plan books that send me to sleep, one marker pen and unco-operative parents. Anyway, another day of organised chaos almost over with when the heavens open on que and we are plunged into darkness, right in the middle of class. Screaming kids, flashes of lightening, roaring thunder and my arse and feet getting absolutely soaked in rain and mud whilst still holding my pen aloft and trying to retain what little control i still had. Needless to say the last class of the evening was eventually abandoned.

2008-05-29T04:44:00.000-07:00

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2008-05-29T04:07:00.000-07:00

Dance off Khmer style..

2008-05-29T03:54:00.000-07:00

The Hotel De La Pay was also a good meeting place for us all before heading into town. Being pretty posh and only frequented by foreigners (the Cambodians would need a months wages to by a meal), they serve really beautiful food and cocktails. The cocktails were a little pricey but we usually ordered only one...just as a treat (plus you always got free crackers, which were lovely and we always stole the mozy sprays, they left out). Cocktails in hand we'd sit beside the trees and water and watch local Khmer children preform traditional dances.

Lynsey at the Hotel De la Pay, looking lovely for a change and not covered head to toe in mud and insects..

2008-05-29T03:51:00.000-07:00

2008-05-29T03:40:00.000-07:00

These are a couple of pieces from an exhibition that was being held at the Hotel De La Pay. There are a couple of French hotels and restaurants in Siem Reap due to the French colonials that previously settled in Cambodia. That's probably why they do dam good Baguettes!!

Anyway the exhibits are by local people and are made from spoons, forks, plastic, metal, paper clips, cardboard and all kinds of junk. I think you'll agree they look really cool..

2008-05-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

So as the evening wore on we began to teach classes of older pupils, by around 6.30pm we were teaching via mobile phone light as the generator wasn't working for a bit and i literally had a text book to my nose in order to read what the hell i was supposed to be teaching. By about 7pm more light was cast upon us and i could at least see the kids, however i could also see the utter feast that was being had by all kinds of crazy looking insects upon my person...i had flies and all sorts of shit crawling around my neck, arms, back and head. Lynsey wasn't impressed and between speaking and pointing at the board we were swatting flies at breakneck speed...!! By 8pm we were both pretty tired and bloody starving...no toilet, no break and no food since 12 and i was more than ready to retire for the night that wasn't before the bumpy bump, wet ride back in our tuk tuk...So first day over with,a bit of singing, bit of playing, lots of laughter and a real sense that we could help rather than hinder the English of students and teachers (even with our dodgy
Welsh and Scottish accents)!

2008-05-27T14:56:00.001-07:00

The Self Help School

2008-05-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

After some time we realised (as we have done all along) that the Cambodian way of life was rubbing off on the weather....that is to say there is no sense of urgency ,time keeping or need for unnecessary movement. The rain continued for about 2 hours so the little kids (that's 4-6) didn't show. Once the rain sort of subsided and i had whiled away the time helping to cut bamboo with a hand saw (to make tables for the new school) 4-6 and 6-10 started dripping into class. First 45 minutes was a little awkward as we didn't have Khmer language translators while we tried to teach our names, age, where we were from and so on..However after that mentally exhausting class we soon got into it and decided to have a much fun as possible even if it meant being constantly laughed at and not having a clue what was going on. It was really funny and the kids were so eager to learn and make sure they spoke the words correctly. I found out that they don't learn any English at their normal school and so they voluntarily attend the 'Self Help School' to gain vital English for their futures. The kids range from about 4 to 23, however even the 22/23year old look about 12, as the people are generally very small and young looking in Cambodia.

2008-05-27T14:34:00.001-07:00

Me attempting to teach letters of the alphabet using words and pictures.

The entrance to the school, where the children park their bikes on arrival.

The super 'air con' class room.

2008-05-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Right where to begin...ah yes first of all we don't start till 3pm, so we get to go to a posh local hotel and use their pool and loungers until we have had enough sun and relaxation. The morning chill out of the way and we are picked up by our tuk tuk for work. Well we are supposed to work from 3-8pm however no sooner had we arrived it began to piss down! What followed was thunder, lightening, children of various ages diving head first into puddles, wrestling, playing, a possible spotting of a 'prawn' by another volunteer called Nisha (randomly funny) and two blonde's clambering into what little shelter we could find, as too be honest, two classrooms are made of bamboo and palm trees with open sides and a corrugated roof and the other one is completely in the open air with no roof, door or windows. So getting soaked was to be expected...

2008-05-27T04:42:00.000-07:00

The Golden Village Guest house is nice and quiet and we have a cafe and Internet

Everyone seems nice and it looks like we also have a pool, gym and Pilate's. Not too bothered about the gym bit but Lynsey is insistent we get fit after our monumental excesses in previous weeks and so i will, since about 6 years ago be setting foot in that god awful place again. Chit chat over and arrangements for our first day at the school complete, we both retire to our rooms to crash.

2008-05-27T04:35:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Siem Reap after a pretty painless 5 hr bus journey. We've been given single rooms with en-suite bathroom, air con, extra fan and TV. Must ad though that the TV is pretty shit as i can only get some bloody Chinese drama or film crud which is fuzzy anyway. So after we'd dumped our stuff and I'd finally after a lot of chasing and swinging of a dust bin removed a bird from Lynsey's bathroom we met our co-coordinators. Robin 24 from England, and Judy about 50 something from Canada (but has lived most of her life in London, France and somewhere else). Also met Alice 18, from Manchester but defiantly doesn't have the accent to match who appears to be doing 3 months on the project. She wont be with Lynsey and I though and probably best as Lynsey has already taken a dislike, as she seems to have walked off with Lynsey's room key....

2008-05-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

We arrive in Siem Reap to begin our Voluntary Work..

2008-05-27T04:26:00.000-07:00

2008-05-27T04:21:00.001-07:00

2008-05-27T04:18:00.000-07:00

2008-05-27T04:14:00.000-07:00

The Killing Fields

2008-05-27T04:12:00.000-07:00

2008-05-25T05:47:00.000-07:00

Saying Cambodians are not too hot on health and safety, would be an understatement....