Cambodia!

So what's been happening in 15 days? BTW got the news just now - not transferred for next year Stace!
Well was sad to leave MHS and miss it already - I want to go back there for sure.  My flights etc out of Thailand went smoothly beginning with the lovely "Ä" picking me up on his motorbike then going back for my bag in MHS (and Bhut saying ýou come back to MHS and stay at Johnnies" which I politely said I would do while really having all intentions of doing the first and NEVER the latter!). A and I chatted at MHS airport and he said I could come back anytime and teach the monks again - that they''d been asking about me (that was definitely a highlight of this trip if not my entire life!). Flights good, macadamias and cashews provided on the 1/2 hour flight to Chiang Mai and more food going from CNX to BKK. (met a lovely Canadian girl "Tracey" at CNX airport who I buddied up with as our flight had not been called 5 mins before supposed take-off - anyway all went okay - BKK provides free internet and recliners - it was a pretty good several hours layover!

Got to Phnom Penh and eventually got visa sorted (already had one organised but still needed the ruddy photo etc - so that cost an extra $2 as I'd packed them in luggage)... and lo and behold there was lovely Adrien (french dude from the school I'm teaching at) waiting with my name almost correctly spelled on a sign (Muoy - director of school sent him as she thought I was a male!) and we went out to Kim the tuk-tuk driver attached to our guesthouse/school, and took the noisy, dirty and exciting 30 min or so ride to the school. Bit disappointed that I was put in the guesthouse as the email said I'd get a ''room at the school' - anyway aside from the dirty bathroom/toilet (UGH!) my little room is cute (if hot).

Morning Circle time at Seametrey Montessori School where I am teaching

So there is a lovely young french couple who babysat me taking me out for meals and showing me the supermarket for the first few days, until I could go it alone and give them some space. There is also a long term British vol who's been to the school 2 times before. A day or two ago another Aussie vol arrived -she's young and óut there'' and lervs a bit of a grog up!

Me reading to enthralled children

Anyways so I was brought here to fix up the library - it was really in a hideous state and in approx 3 days my assistant (who will be the ''librarian'' when I go) and I had catalogued and shelved all the Fiction books!!!!!!

The messy library as I found it

Revamped and organised!

The facilities are pretty basic and often frustrating - you can't print or p/c much and certainly not in colour - but hey this is Cambodia after all!  Got my new SIM finally yesterday (people had told me I could not text Australia so don't bother - but the new chick got one at the airport!).   Anyway so school has been okay, some days better than others. It's a great little cause and I'm glad I've done it - but also won't be that sorry to leave.  I've seen and done some great stuff - glad I didn't cancel this part of my trip.  Will post more and some great pics in the next few days, when I remember to bring my camera cord!  Okay, adios for now amigos!!
Some piccies:

Central Market Phnom Penh