We've been here for just over three weeks now and are both going really well. Since arriving we've been staying at a hotel and are still in the process of looking around for a place to live and trying to get set-up for life here in Phnom Penh. Rental costs here are surprisingly quite high relative to Australia – so it has proven to be a bit of a challenge finding a place that we can make into our home and that has the right layout to set up an office space.
When we flew in on 5th Sept, the view from the air definitely gave the impression the rains had come. Right now it’s in the middle of the (hot) wet season. Check out the photos on the last page – these are from the flight in and show just how wet this place can get!
Anyway, we hope you enjoy reading of our journey so far!
From Mark….
Well, since arriving it’s certainly proven to be all that we were told to expect (and more!). In spite of the constant haggling of tuk-tuk, moto & cyclo drivers, adjusting to the heat, humidity and that Cambodian smell (you know the one – for those that have been here before!), and learning not to get too frustrated with the pervading “yes” culture (Cambodians will say yes to most things even if they have no idea what you’re asking for!) it still has been a good start to our journey and we’re looking forward to getting settled in. However, we are still learning to lower our expectations and “go with the flow” to limit the frustration factor.
I had my first go at riding a moto around the city the other day and found it a bit of a challenge to start with, but I got there by the end of the journey!...only having one close encounter with the front end of an impatient toyota along the way and fortunate to still have the kick-start pedal in tact after a few false starts (followed by a few more!). Alas, having to get used to handling the bike was a challenge for me (and yes, this too from a country boy!!). Jo is keen to show me up though, with her riding prowess when she gives it a go hopefully in the near future (stay tuned on that one!).
We have started looking around for a car or motorbike to buy. Apparently most of the cars for sale here are actually damaged/written-off vehicles shipped in from overseas (generally from the USA) and receive panel-beating and repairs here in Cambodia. Ensuring you get a car that won’t fall to bits after a drive over the many potholed roads though seems to be the ultimate challenge!
Some interesting experiences so far have included dining out at several restaurants only to have a humungous rat or two scuttle past our table leg (really inspiring stuff while eating asian food in dim lighting…) and trying to get understanding into the deep spiritual culture that exists here. For instance, just last weekend it was fascinating to note the Cambodians celebrated a four day public holiday with the sole purpose of making merit & giving offerings to the spirits of their ancestors at local Buddhist temples all over the city and in the province areas. There are so many layers to this culture –it’s clear we need much wisdom and discernment as we take this journey.
From Jo…
As I’m writing this, it’s a bit overcast outside disguising the humidity! The first few weeks for me have been trying to get used to the weather – I was having siestas without meaning too, so my aim is to last more than two days in a row without having a siesta!
Looking for places to stay as been a bit more of a process than expected – many places only have a kitchen with one basin and tap with cold water (i.e. no pantry, no stove/oven or stove tops are like camping stoves attached to a gas bottle) and each bedroom is likely to have a bathroom attached to it where the showers just have cold water and have no recess, just the shower head coming out of the wall so the toilet is likely to get wet whilst having a shower. However if lucky you may get a Western toilet that actually flushes! One of the biggest things is about security – getting in and out of a place is like Fort Knox as most places have two locked gates to get through before you even get to the front door! Every door from outside to inside the house is locked with a big padlock.
We are yet to find ourselves a language teacher to teach us Khmer (as would like to get settled into a place first) but are learning bits and pieces like ‘please, can we have the bill’ and probably the most important one ‘no thank you’ (for Mark it’s just plain ‘no’) to all the tuk tuk and moto drivers who love to hassle you as soon as you step out into the street!. Also, I’m still continuing with my studies in Christian counseling and family therapy (although it is hard to motivate myself at times) and was able to get a month’s extension on all my assignment – thank God! They were all due the day we left Melb. I will be glad when it’s all over!
Overall we are doing really well and have been praying more fervently when it comes to asking for God’s blessing over the food we eat and for safe travel (we feel quite comfortable now in walking across the road without being run over in spite of some moto driver’s still thinking that they’re in a Grand Prix!).
Well, that’s about it from us for now. Thanks to all for your continued prayers and support! We feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who believe in a great God who is able to do the impossible! Missing you all heaps.
Lots of love from Mark & Jo
Some pics of the journey so far....
View from the plane flying in to phnom penh. The amount of flooding was just amazing to see from the air!
Jo in one of the local markets
Mark asking how much for the market meats...hmm tasty!!
Our favourite billboard since arriving in phnom penh!
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