The Island

Well, I think I have gotten over the second week blues and starting to feel a little more at home... It is such a funny feeling to just arrive somewhere and start living... Incredibly different to arriving somewhere to simply explore... That second week was quite spaced out because most of the country was on leave and there was hardly anyone in Phnom Penh so I really did feel like I was my own island! I still don't have the work situation fully sorted but there is no need to panic just yet. I have plenty to be thankful for such as a nice apartment, a great local market close by, I'm starting to meet one or two people to hang out with, I'm starting to learn how to cook the local food (recent tofu convert), and my gym is awesome. Now there are a few more ammeities and people on my island it feels a little more real... Wanna visit anyone!?

Here are a few pictures from my island:

The girl on the blue bicycle

I've been here for 9 days and starting to get a bit of a rhythm, I only have to stop every now-and-again to check my GPS, and I almost have a job! Actually, the private practice job is sorted (http://roomchang.com/) but it is the university job that is giving me trouble... They don't want me because I'm not yellow. Hepatitis anyone!?

I'm still information gathering about the best way to deliver the maternal-child oral health project (Cambodia Smile) and at the moment I think we'll use vaccination nurses to deliver a bundle of vaccinations, de-worming, vitamin A, oral health instruction and fluoride varnish. Watch this space!

My major success since arrival has been the introduction of Victor Nelson (Vic for short) into the big city... He is a major hit and attracts admiring glances from motorists,children and parking attendants alike! Lucky I learnt the words for bike (kong) and beautiful (sa-art) because now I know what they are saying and I'm pretty sure they're not talking about the girl (shra-all) and the fluorescent, high-visibility punga legs for extra safety and functioning. The other day I had a conversation all the way down the street with a security guard who wanted to know all about the bike and the girl. Sometimes there are chuckles and other times amazement. I feel as though riding a bike is a real barrier breaker and I cherish the moments of connection that I can indulge in each time I pedal down the street.

Some of you might know that Vic's frame was actually fabricated in here in Cambodia (before assembly inTaiwan) so what can I say Victor Nelson? Welcome home!

Let the sweating begin

I left Wellington in the middle of a good cool fog and intermittent blustery showers and I arrived in Phnom Penh to 34 degree heat that was broken down an hour or so later with a tropical rain storm. 

Thankfully I got a few hours sleep on the plane and so I was able to get right out there to touch base with Callum to get a bit of a handle on what was going on. As expected there is a lot (a lot!). It was so nice to feel instantly useful and it is nice to feel needed. At the moment everything is all shiny and new and I'm excited but I know from my previous visits that week 2 is often the hardest, that's the time when I question my decision to be here, I question my ability to make a difference and my routine isn't quite sorted... Week 3 and 4 even out and after that I all feels 'normal'. This time I won't be going home after 3 months which will be different. It's an endurance race this time and so I'd better pace myself. Ironicly, just like an endurance race I'm (cover your ears mum) sweating like an individual. 

Jobs for this week are (1) maintain fluid intake (2) shift into an apartment (3) sort my gym membership (4) reunite Frank jr. and Vic (5) find a good supply of coffee and a coffee plunger (6) casually draft 3 abstracts for presentation at an upcoming conference.

Sold out

The time has come... I'll be leaving Wellington airport at 8pm tomorrow night... In some ways it feels simple, kind of like moving to Auckland or Wellington. The bugger is that 9hr flight, the unknowns, the fact I don't have a confirmed job, and the enormous barriers that exist to fulfilling my goal. The reality is that this adventure might, in fact, be quite unremarkable. There is a real possibility that I'll be back before you know it with nothing gained (or just cos I've bottled up all my English words and I need somewhere to speak them). I guess the other possibility is that I will get the opportunity to contribute to something meaningful; my dream is to help design a program for preschool children to reduce the burden of dental decay, a program that has the potential to spread across all of Cambodia. 

I can tell you this much; for now, I am fully sold out. The starting gun has sounded and I'm about to get across the start line... I guess I'll eventually figure out the route...

Here is my sweet sweet cargo bike going for a test drive: