Here today gone tomorrow.

26th December 2008

Well it’s all over, Xmas for another year! As a normal work day, yes Dec 25th, we found the usual frustrations of stop start projects and issues. Jan and Meg (a youth volunteer) went to a ‘cluster’ meeting only to return a bit fed up with the Deputy Director who is basically a lazy ‘whatsit’ (those readers who know me well will be able to infer the comments I would like to write but they would probably result in court action). We find a real mixture of attitudes amongst the educational clientele, bit like the UK I suppose, those who are really keen and enthusiastic to use any help and advice, those who ‘say’ they want help and support and then ignore it, and those who just talk a good game, nod and smile encouragingly then do exactly what they have always done i.e. nothing. The latter tend to be in positions of authority in schools and then have the temerity to admonish teachers for not doing ‘new’ things – as I said exactly like the UK!

Anyway we will continue to chip away at the fortifications attempting to breach their defences, little do they realise they are gong to be helped, like it or not. I feel that time is ripe for a massive push to set up an expensive team of largely ineffectual ex-senior teachers to inspect the whole country to root out the lazy teachers and sack them - sounds familiar, Cambodian Ofsted or Cofsted??

This year was particularly more problematic in that Jan’s birthday (on the 18th), which is always tricky being close to Xmas, posed an even greater threat to my immediate peace of mind. I still had the usual ‘what to buy’ for the (gorgeous) person who already has everything! EASY – a bath! Scoff you may but when you don’t have one and the closest you get is by standing in a large bowl dousing oneself from a plastic ladle, a bath is sheer wanton luxury (particularly as Jan really loves a bath!) This conundrum was resolved by my downloading images of said item from the beloved ‘Google’, venturing into town with Vorthera (one of our Volunteer Assistants), to outline, in my fluent Khmer, my requirements (using much of Vorthera’s goodwill and patience). The shop fabricates a whole range of ‘tin’ plated boxes, watering cans and all things you can bend tinplate into. Much waving of hands, scratching of heads, sitting on the floor with a metre rule (for guidance) and general pondering ensued. Apparently, the chap had never made one previously and initially he said couldn’t do rounded corners. What a lot of old shoe repairers I replied, he had circular bins and rectangular boxes, just do the sides of a box and solder two halves of a circular bin, one at each end. If you are still with this then well done! Then he said he could and after negotiating the price from the ‘Barang’, (he’s rich, so I can really screw him) ie start with a ridiculous price then move to a slightly above local price, we shook hands (another shock for the guy who probably thought it meant we were now engaged). Next question - when can I collect it? Much scratching of head and my fearing the worse (as birthday was now two days away), is this afternoon OK – as I’ve said land of contrasts. The next day we return, as Jan had gone on a school visit, to collect the bath. Then the problem of transport! Not a problem, back of the motor bike (hope VSO don’t read this) but another VA (Veasna) duly sat on the back of the bike and held said bath and we took it back to the house! Birthday arrived and I gave Jan my home made card, two, yes two, big bars of chocolate (purchased in Phnom Penh on our last visit) but no bath (which was locked in a shed under the house). That evening we had the ‘team’ around for pre-Xmas mulled wine, home made mince pies and games. The bath was then carried up the stairs to be presented to its new, and subsequently proud, owner! I have to say it was received with great excitement and sheer joy! (Thanks to the ‘boys’ and the team for their help, co-operation and support in the execution of this jolly wheeze).

At this point I have to apologise to Cliff, Jan’s dad. Jean, Jan’s mom, has an even more problematic birthday to cope with i.e. Dec 23rd. It must be really difficult to be as imaginative and thus deserves all the admonishment Jean can extol upon him in the ensuing months! Sorry Cliff!! I'll buy you a pint of Otter at The Anchor on our return!

The last few days prior to Xmas were really odd in that we had no banal TV, no adverts for indigestion remedies (or should that be rennaddies), furniture sales or summer holidays. All our shopping ‘malls’ (i.e. the market) are / were open and we acquired a magnificent chunk of ‘organically reared’ pork which probably cost more to cook than to buy! However, cook it we did and it was brilliant, with crisp crackling, stuffing and apple sauce to boot.

Xmas day started out reasonably, despite issues already mentioned. Preparations had started a few days before with the usual military precision. Then one guest said he was unable to make it due to work problems, another two guests were then doubtful (at least 2hrs away by motorbike). To top it all Veasna, texted to say he wasn’t coming (I telephoned him for a reason only to find out he was only teasing. Git!). However, uncannily, it all turned out fine despite and we had a rip roaring jolly old festive time with all thoroughly enjoying themselves. For those interested the menu consisted of:

Mulled red wine

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Lentil Soup

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Carnivore option

Roast 'Organic' Pork, Apple Sauce, Stuffing,

Roast Potatoes, Mustard Mash,

Carrots, Cabbage and Gravy

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Vegatarian Option

Puff Pastry with Ratatouille

Selection of Vegetables

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Xmas Pudding, Mincemeat Tart & Custard

Mince Pies, Brandy Butter, Carrot Cake

(!!!ALL HOME MADE!!!)

(Thanks to Jean for sending the Stuffing mix)

We leave Sen Monorom on Saturday en route to the south to Kep, by all accounts, a very quiet and pleasant sea-side resort two hours from Phnom Penh. We are really looking forward to it, recharging the old batteries and chilling out to see in the New Year. Mind you we have not received any confirmation re: our accommodation, here we go again!

Our thoughts are with all family and friends. HAPPY NEW YEAR!