My Cambodian family

I’ve realized I have developed a family here. We take care of each other, look out for each other, and develop extremely close bonds with each other. Its nothing I’ve experienced in the states, I think it has something to do with the intense environment we are all in- its like survival mode. We all just got back from an exciting trip to the beach. We had great weather the first few days, then went to this great island-without electricity or running water- for a night. (more pics on facebook) We were able to have a huge bonfire as well. It was riiiight before the storm hit! The night turned into 2 since the monsoon hit and we couldn’t get off the island. It was really fun- we were DEFINITELY ready to get off the island. The wind was SO strong and SO constant it got tiring and cold. (picture of us all huddled on our porch) First time anyone of us felt cold in months!! But it was really fun to get out of the city! There were TONS of fresh crab and shrimp- so we ate very well!

The pic with the boats is the morning we left. They came by at 6am screaming at us to hurry pack and leave. thankfully benny's girlfriend is khmer so translated for us. They had to get all the foreigners off the island. and wouldnt let any boat leave till we were all out. the waves were SO strong it was the scariest thing i've done in a while. it felt like we were on a scary rollercoster water park ride and they kept throwing buckets and buckets of water on us! we had to bucket out water from the boats so we didnt sink. We found out later that 10 people drowned in the town beside us becuase of they went over board.

We also go to BBQ every Saturday night. Which involves lots of beer and khmer style bbq beef and morning glory. We all leave extremely full and feeling good for $4 each! Then we go dancing. We are also joining a bocce league which meets wed nights- nothing too serious so it will be fun!!

I also included some shots of the people and places we saw on the way down to Kep (beach). I didn’t take them but I did see them. I’m realizing the difference between an easy camera and a complicated one! Like the pics of the snails? Well it looks SO much better than it smells!! haha!

New Family Members

Annie- UK, SISHA Program Development Intern (my intern)

Susie- US, Heller Keller Public Health Fellow

Jess- Australia, English Teacher

Darley- US, Monitoring and Evaluation Intern

Kensey- US, Water Pump Project Intern

Kuny- Cambodia, Child Rights Program Officer

Kent- US, SISHA undercover investigator

Brian- US, Garmet Industry Research Fellow

Ethan- US, SISHA part time Inter, Princeton University Fellow

Benny- Australia, Solor Power something…

Mo- UK, SISHA Legal Intern