Introduction to the country

Today saw us having our first taste of riding in tuk tuks.  We headed off to Wat Damnak for our Khmer language class.  Venerable Thinn and Venerable Long were our teachers.  They started off with some circle time - each member of the team had to introduce themselves in Khmer.  After lots of laughs (from us and the monks) the job was done.  We then learned some greetings, formal and informal and did some practice as a group.  Then it was over to Mr John and Paddy to “read” the Khmer script to take us through the phrases, as our teachers - great job guys.

We started our first project today - market shopping for our care packs.  The group was divided into groups, given some cash and a shopping list.  The challenge? To purchase as many items as possible with the money they had been given.  The result?  Bags and bags of goodies to be delivered to Green Gecko when we visit on Thursday.

We also got our first taste of the tumultuous history of this country.  We visited the War Museum where we heard about the Civil War years, and the Khmer Rouge years.  The remnants of this period are on display for all to see.  Russian tanks, helicopter, planes and of course many, many land mines and bombs.  This country is reported as being one of the most bombed countries in the world - from the Russians, to the Vietnamese and to the American/Australian Allied Forces.  They copped it from all sides!  The high incidence of post traumatic stress disorder is not surprising.

The afternoon was then spent relaxing around the pool in preparation for painting tomorrow.
BRING IT ON!!!


















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