1 week anniversary

Last night I visited Meta House - the German cultural centre.  They screened  an international short film festival  - really good.  Entrance fee was a pricey $2!  Nice cafe & bar here too  - I imagine I will be back.  From what I could see of downtown Phnom Penh it looked like Earth Hour has not really caught on here.

Sunday up early to visit the Russian Market before the heat of the day.  I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the weather, its certainly not reaching the high 30s that’s usual art his time of the year.  The markets are a labyrinth of passages barely one person wide in some places.  The aisles progress from clothing, silks & souvenirs, home wares (I buy an orange juice squeezer – from Thailand I’m told – very good quality!), Manchester, CDs, copy bags, copy wallets, even some copy shoes!, gems (authenticity guaranteed!), through to hardware and motor parts.  In the middle is the food section it’s a cacophony of vendors sitting cross legged amongst their fruit, fish, vegies and meat of all varieties.  Its an assault on the senses.  I buy tuberoses and lotus flowers.  The lovely vendor and her daughters wrap them in a banana leaf for me..

I spent the rest of the day exploring on foot, and finished with a treat late afternoon - a foot massage and facial at Spa Amret - divine.  Did some washing and self catered at home.

Befroe the new week starts I should finish week 1.  On Friday I presented my work plan to Stav & Bill.  They were pleased with the my recommended  approach.  There is so much to do - the hard part will be staying in scope.  During the week I've gone from feeling excited and challenged, to completely overwhelmed.  Now that my approach and outputs are agreed I feel much more in control

During the evenings I discoverd a brilliant local restuarant right next door, did some reading, and spent some quality time with the wonderful Anne-Maree.  Her house is a palace - just amazing!  Its also nice to be amongst a family, and meet some more of their friends.  The Friday after work drinks ritual pervails in Phnom Penh too.  On Friday night Bindi, one of the CARE prorgam directors, invites me and some others from the office to her home for drinks and some divine food.  Around the table we have Australia, Ireland, England, France, Canada and Russia represented.  Everyone is really interesting and engaged in worthwhile work  I bail at around 8 to see Anne-Maree - she flies back to Oz for a holiday on Sunday.  A nice way to start the weekend.