Yoga & shopping

For the first time since I’ve been here I didn’t wake with eh sun.  Up around 8.30.  Off to a private yoga lesson  with Alison.  I feel very inflexible but it’s a good workout  As well as  running yoga classes, Nataraj Yoga conducts classes for women who have left the sex industry.  They also do kids classes for some of Phnom Penhs orphanages.  The cost of a class at $9 is very expensive by Phnom Penh standards, but who can complain when the proceeds help fund these worthwhile programs.

In the afternoon I discover St 240, the William St Paddington of Phnom Penh.  Not the usual tourist trash, Phnom Penhs designers have congregated in this are and the clothes are things you could wear at home.  My wallet stays closed but I do have the most scrumptious middle eastern eggplant salad for lunch with a great juice.  A women greets me like a long lost friend – she saw me at the Embassy drinks on Friday night.  I wasn’t introduced to her then – but I guess a new face stands out.  We chat for a while.  Margaret is  a Librarian at the Phnom Penh University and when she hears I am planning to visit Angkor Wat she races upstairs to loan me her guide book.  Very kind.  It seems to be that kind of town.  Last week when I was waiting for a tuk tuk outside Anne-Maree’s a Swedish women pulled over and gave me a lift home.  Imagine getting in a car with a stranger in Sydney!   The sens eof community here over shadows  the sense of self and someone always seems to be there to lend a hand.

Its hot and Margaret’s guidebook is heavy in my backpack.  So instead of further exploring and head home for a swim.  Finish the day with a luxurious pedicure at Lucky’s Spa.  Lucky’s is a great supermarket indeed – it has a beauty salon upstairs!  A bunch of English girls are there talking about the Mekong River swim help this morning.  100s swim the 800m across the Mekong once a year with the registration proceeds going to charity.  Its mainly expats who take the plunge.  Many tried to coerce me during the week – but I couldn’t quite imagine diving into those murky waters, notwithstanding that I haven’t swam 800m for a while!  In my apartments pool you do about 5 stokes then turn!

Quiet night in getting ready for the week ahead.  Checked out the footy scores and earned a decent 6.5 in the tipping.  Great to see both Swans & Carlton get up.  For dinner tried out a Cambodian green chicken curry microwave dinner.  Actually very good.  Some chocolate to finish!

Funny signs observed when shopping....................

I think this was for business suits.  Look successful.....be successful!

Ice cream that makes you
healthy!