Moving house in Cambodia really is a literal turn of phrase! We think of it as packing up our possessions and changing address. Not so here. A work force turns up overnight and from the roof down the house is dismantled and every part that can be is salvaged, is salvaged. We have witnessed this over the past week. The alternative route to school is along the Tonle Sap Road that follows the river. Every day there is another area of housing that has been cleared. The initial reaction was one of indignation that there has been an injustice served upon these poor residents and small businesses but it always pays to get the detail from those in the know!
It seems that some years ago a large donation of money was given by the Korean government to dredge the Tonle Sap River to increase its depth to try to prevent future flooding of the city. Funds were to also be used to beautify the river banks and improve the pathways. The residents were then given their marching orders but also financially compensated . Trouble was that nobody made an attempt to move and the deadline has now been reached so mass evacuation! The "evacuees" have also been given land outside of town to resettle on. I still believed that this compulsory acquisition was a bit harsh but have been reassured by an NGO manager that Khmer people do not put as much stock on possessions as we do and are a bit nomadic by nature!!!!
In some ways I can understand why the government want the river cleared because even though it is naturally beautiful, it has been dreadfully polluted by the riverside dwellers who allow all waste and rubbish to be drained into it. There is an article on www.travel fish.org if you wish to read another recent story on this topic.
There is some doubt that the widening and deepening of the river will actually resolve the flooding issue as the Tonle Sap feeds into the Tonle Sap lake which in turn is fed into by the Mekong. In the wet the Mekong and the Lake back flow up into the Tonle Sap River and eventually these waters will meet that which is flowing out and it is thought that there will be flooding wherever this occurs. Only time will tell.
It is my second last day at the project, Amber and Imran finish today and Thursday night plans include dinner at the Temple Club to watch the Apsaras dancers ( I have already done this but several haven't had the experience yet). The plan after dinner is for Karaoke.
It is always sad for the volunteers who are leaving, sad for us who have to say goodbye to people we have come to know very well over a short space of time. The kids at the project are always disappointed when teachers they have become fond of depart but I think they h ave become so used to this movement of people that it no longer troubles them. That is not to say that they don't welcome you back with open arms if you return.
The dinner and show were fun, but the karaoke!!!!! It is not so easy to sing when you can't hear yourself, but we all got up and made fools of ourselves, some more than others. It was such a funny night. Everyone kept themselves nice but it was a tribute to the comfort that we had with each other that we could open up this way! The French amongst us I am sad to say have terrible taste in music and thought they were at a wedding and belted out all the old French tunes. Sally was great and Beth was fantastic singing Alicia Keys hitting all the right notes but we will certainly remember Sally's Oooh Yeah!!!
My turn to say goodbye on Friday, I left for work early so that I could savor the last ride and get a few photos of the village and have the chance to say goodbye to the local friends I have made. Lessons as usual with some art to follow. Sad once again to say goodbyes and find it difficult to believe that 4 weeks has come to an end.
Nak and I had arrangements to go to Sugar Palm for dinner, he picked me up on his motor bike and off we went. Unfortunately a party was being held over the road to the restaurant and the noise was horrendous so we didn't stay. Plan B was to go to Nest, no tables left due to a big group booking so ended up at the Indian restaurant, good food but uninspiring surrounds for the last supper! The funny thing was that the waitress remembered me from last year! I hadn't been there this year.
Saturday morning - first at the pool and am going to make the most of it! 2 hours in the sun followed up by a final body scrub and massage. Bliss, what a way to finish my trip. Said my farewells and hugs all round from the female staff. Flight leaving at 6 pm for Ho Chi Min.
It has been a wonderful time in Siem Reap, the time has flown, I have met some wonderful people, worked hard, experienced a bit of culture and am ready to return for more! Sadly the volunteer tour is not going ahead for May and at this stage I am strongly considering returning to work at Grace House. Can strongly recommend that at some stage of your lives that you experience some volunteer work-It is so rewarding.
As promised I will be doing a test drive on the recipes I gleaned from the kitchen staff at Grace House and will post them once done.
Good luck for you, good dreams for me.
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