So I started at the orphanage! Yes, I have decided to volunteer my 'skills' to the less fortunate. This has definitely got to be my ticket to heaven! I should probably discuss it with the god I'm not sure of and see what he says but I reckon I'm in.
The children, as anticipated are all bouncing joys of energy and innocence. It always amazes me how children can deal far better with such major issues in life that adults would struggle to beat.
The death of parents due to Aids is the main reason that most children have arrived here at the orphanage. Others are here because their parents simply cannot afford to care for them. I really can't imagine how either the parents or the children even begin to cope with such a helpless situation. They do though and they shine on.
On a brighter note, teaching English is so much fun! I was extremely apprehensive at first but when you realize that there is nothing to prove and absolutely no one is judging anything you do, it becomes the biggest game.
The children are all so eager. I have two classes to teach, one is a kindergarten class so aside from their obvious hyperactive tendencies they are happy to sit and play 'guess the animal' and sing songs! (I cannot sing to save my life so as you can imagine this is a highly amusing exercise for them and slightly soul destroying for me.)
My other lesson is a little more challenging as many of the children are older and already know the basics. This is my first time teaching and with no set guidelines, so I have been let loose to instill my wisdom....erm this is interesting and potentially hazardous. That reminds me, I really must stop swearing in front of them...
Anyway, not only is it a challenge to remember all 26 of their names, but to decide what to teach a group with such varied levels of English takes some doing! Luckily I am not alone and with the help of some of the great volunteers, I have picked up a few tips! Repetition seems to be the key, they definitely won't be forgetting the months of the year any time soon that's for sure.
I'm currently using a few ice breaking techniques too, man I used to hate them at school but these guys seem to love getting up and walking around asking questions. Nothing inappropriate as yet but I'm just waiting...
So far so good I reckon. I'll keep you posted.
Is it ok to have favourites?
Laura xx
Wednesday 27 July 2011
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Tuk-tuk drivers: Just what do they do?
The fact that I can actually describe all these goings on in such detail probably says a lot more about about my days but whatever.....
I am referring to the eight tuk-tuk drivers who reside at my guesthouse on a daily basis. They do not buy food nor do they buy drink. They just sit around scattered about on various walls, chairs, posts, anything really with a flat surface. You'll find them often watching a selection of very bad Chinese horror films subtitled in both Cambodian and English (just to make it extra confusing).
I wouldn't bat an eyelid but they don't even try to get business, sometimes when they are feeling energetic they may call out half heartedly "tuk tuk, lady?" to a passerby -sometimes not even a lady. When this fails to provoke a reaction they just turn back to the Telly. Classic.
I honestly have no clue how they make money. Also another thing, there are not nearly enough guests to warrant the eight drivers who base themselves here.
One of them (god bless him) even gave me a free ride into town the other day. I just don't get it?!
I am referring to the eight tuk-tuk drivers who reside at my guesthouse on a daily basis. They do not buy food nor do they buy drink. They just sit around scattered about on various walls, chairs, posts, anything really with a flat surface. You'll find them often watching a selection of very bad Chinese horror films subtitled in both Cambodian and English (just to make it extra confusing).
I wouldn't bat an eyelid but they don't even try to get business, sometimes when they are feeling energetic they may call out half heartedly "tuk tuk, lady?" to a passerby -sometimes not even a lady. When this fails to provoke a reaction they just turn back to the Telly. Classic.
I honestly have no clue how they make money. Also another thing, there are not nearly enough guests to warrant the eight drivers who base themselves here.
One of them (god bless him) even gave me a free ride into town the other day. I just don't get it?!
Monday 4 July 2011
Animal Plurals
There are so many!! I spent a day researching them and that wasn't even enough. Thanks to everyone, clearly equally as bored, contributing on Facebook and via email to this.
My particular favourites: 'A shag of blondes' and 'A spiteful bastard of cat's' brought to the table by Michael and Dave. Not surprising at all.
My particular favourites: 'A shag of blondes' and 'A spiteful bastard of cat's' brought to the table by Michael and Dave. Not surprising at all.
Poipet border crossing
I almost wasn't going to publish this as it's a pretty long ramble, but I deem it worthy to be shared so here we go....
It's all well and good getting from Cambodia to Thailand overland. $25 and you're across, free to frolic around Thailand eating all the Pad Thai you can handle. Coming back into Cambodia on the other hand is a whole different kettle of fish. (Kettle of fish: A great animal plural, part of a recent and extremely productive day researching them....I'll come back to that.)
Granted, I probably should have done more research on the Poipet border crossing but I didn't, so for me the next few hours proved the most valiant of my life. (A lucky read of The Lonely Planet Guide midway also helped. Thanks committed travel writers!)
Apparently it is common knowledge that at this particular crossing a few cheeky Cambodian's like to con unsuspecting tourists out of a few dollars by providing them with a 'fast track' route over the border with no queues and no bother.
Alarm bells started ringing when we were sat in a restaurant 2km from Poipet. Our guide spun his line and suggested for a problem free crossing that we hand over our passports and 1600 Baht.....hmm I am not one for parting with my passport so I politely declined, two other girls travelling with me had the right idea too. The others didn't. These people are idiots.
Five minutes later I was hurried onto a pretty dilapidated and overpacked mini bus along with the two other English girls who had decided to brave the border. I won't lie, I was in full panic mode at this point. The writing on the back of the seat in front of me did nothing to calm my nerves....'GET OFF THIS BUS NOW, DON'T TRUST THESE PEOPLE'. Nice.
I decided it was maybe time to consult the old Lonely Planet just in case it could shed any light on the current situation. Sure enough it came through! It described the journey to the very letter, next up they were to take us to a fake consulate to try and use their 'authority' to make us part with our money.
(Please note: I am on a budget and do not enjoy giving money up easily. Years of being on an economy drive lead by my mother stood me in good stead for this portion of my trip, thanks mum!)
The consulate looked like a normal house, actually less of a normal house and more of a shack. These were most definitely not official premises. We stood our ground as they attempted to coax us out of the mini bus with bottles of water and little cake things that admittedly if I was alone in my venture probably would have succumbed to.
They gave up after five minutes and admitted defeat. I think I actually saw the guy's soul die a little bit as he realised he had failed and three more people had stood their ground and made it across the border for 800 Baht, no queues and way ahead of the 'fast track'chumps.
LAURA - 1 CAMBODIAN SCAMMERS - 0
It's all well and good getting from Cambodia to Thailand overland. $25 and you're across, free to frolic around Thailand eating all the Pad Thai you can handle. Coming back into Cambodia on the other hand is a whole different kettle of fish. (Kettle of fish: A great animal plural, part of a recent and extremely productive day researching them....I'll come back to that.)
Granted, I probably should have done more research on the Poipet border crossing but I didn't, so for me the next few hours proved the most valiant of my life. (A lucky read of The Lonely Planet Guide midway also helped. Thanks committed travel writers!)
Apparently it is common knowledge that at this particular crossing a few cheeky Cambodian's like to con unsuspecting tourists out of a few dollars by providing them with a 'fast track' route over the border with no queues and no bother.
Alarm bells started ringing when we were sat in a restaurant 2km from Poipet. Our guide spun his line and suggested for a problem free crossing that we hand over our passports and 1600 Baht.....hmm I am not one for parting with my passport so I politely declined, two other girls travelling with me had the right idea too. The others didn't. These people are idiots.
Five minutes later I was hurried onto a pretty dilapidated and overpacked mini bus along with the two other English girls who had decided to brave the border. I won't lie, I was in full panic mode at this point. The writing on the back of the seat in front of me did nothing to calm my nerves....'GET OFF THIS BUS NOW, DON'T TRUST THESE PEOPLE'. Nice.
I decided it was maybe time to consult the old Lonely Planet just in case it could shed any light on the current situation. Sure enough it came through! It described the journey to the very letter, next up they were to take us to a fake consulate to try and use their 'authority' to make us part with our money.
(Please note: I am on a budget and do not enjoy giving money up easily. Years of being on an economy drive lead by my mother stood me in good stead for this portion of my trip, thanks mum!)
The consulate looked like a normal house, actually less of a normal house and more of a shack. These were most definitely not official premises. We stood our ground as they attempted to coax us out of the mini bus with bottles of water and little cake things that admittedly if I was alone in my venture probably would have succumbed to.
They gave up after five minutes and admitted defeat. I think I actually saw the guy's soul die a little bit as he realised he had failed and three more people had stood their ground and made it across the border for 800 Baht, no queues and way ahead of the 'fast track'chumps.
LAURA - 1 CAMBODIAN SCAMMERS - 0
I'm back, I think.
Hi! So I have been to a few countries since I last wrote.
Countries I have been to and decided not to share with the rest of the world: Laos; Vietnam; Cambodia; Thailand (again) and back to Cambodia.
I promise to catch up on these but for now I will start over in Cambodia. Siem Reap to be precise. I will be here for the next month doing voluntary work in one of the orphanages/ village schools so I will be staying put and not moving too much. With any luck updates will become more regular. Don't quote me on this though, I'm sure you won't!
http://www.cambodianorphanage.org.uk/
Countries I have been to and decided not to share with the rest of the world: Laos; Vietnam; Cambodia; Thailand (again) and back to Cambodia.
I promise to catch up on these but for now I will start over in Cambodia. Siem Reap to be precise. I will be here for the next month doing voluntary work in one of the orphanages/ village schools so I will be staying put and not moving too much. With any luck updates will become more regular. Don't quote me on this though, I'm sure you won't!
http://www.cambodianorphanage.org.uk/
Monday 28 March 2011
Phi Phi is mental. Just that.
Koh Phi Phi! Now I had heard a lot about this little island for some time and in the end I decided it was worth a visit (above all to make my sister's boyfriend really bloody jealous).
It's maybe not the place to go if you are looking for a relaxed little getaway, mostly because it's mad as toast. You would be forgiven for thinking that this island could be the tranquil island of your dreams, particularly on first impressions when sailing up to the harbour. Step off the boat though and prepare to a) never sleep and b) do things that you probably wouldn't do if you weren't on Phi Phi.
Stepping off the boat I was greeted by a monkey in a dress. This should give you some idea of the magnitude of mental that this island exudes.
We were collected by a very nice man who took our bags on a little trailer thing and pulled them all the way up to our hostel. (I pretended not to see him struggling from the sheer weight of Rachel's bag alone.)
Our bungalow was along the 'Tsunami Escape Route' which was nice to know, although i'm not sure anyone would really escape a high speed wall of water coming at them but whatever. I guess there's some level of reassurance seeing the signs.
Phi Phi is a really good place to make friends and everyone is lovely. We met people here that we've stuck with for the last few weeks now. Days were spent sun bathing on Long Beach (the beach furthest away from the nightlife therefore in our minds the cleanest) and drinking copious amounts in the evening and eating our weight in Pad Thai. I fail to see what else you can do on this island. I fail to see what more you would want from this island to be honest!
We all know that with copious amounts of alcohol comes copious amounts of irrational thinking. We've all had that moment when it just seems like the best idea in the world, Phi Phi encourages this. That's why I take no responsibility for the following:
Yes Phi Phi made Rachel get a tattoo. A bamboo tattoo at that! http://www.bambootattoo.co.uk/history-of-bamboo-tattoo.php - here's a brief history. I can't be bothered to explain.
It also made me hold a cat in a somewhat 'loving' fashion. It must have been Phi Phi's influence though because I've not had the slightest inkling to risk my life like that again.
I'm sorry for taking ages to blog. Rachel has gone frolicking off to play with tigers today so I have a whole day of sorting out my life! Ahh organisation, how I have missed you!
Laura xx
It's maybe not the place to go if you are looking for a relaxed little getaway, mostly because it's mad as toast. You would be forgiven for thinking that this island could be the tranquil island of your dreams, particularly on first impressions when sailing up to the harbour. Step off the boat though and prepare to a) never sleep and b) do things that you probably wouldn't do if you weren't on Phi Phi.
 |
| Damn you Koh Phi Phi and your decieving beauty! Damn you! |
Stepping off the boat I was greeted by a monkey in a dress. This should give you some idea of the magnitude of mental that this island exudes.
We were collected by a very nice man who took our bags on a little trailer thing and pulled them all the way up to our hostel. (I pretended not to see him struggling from the sheer weight of Rachel's bag alone.)
Our bungalow was along the 'Tsunami Escape Route' which was nice to know, although i'm not sure anyone would really escape a high speed wall of water coming at them but whatever. I guess there's some level of reassurance seeing the signs.
Phi Phi is a really good place to make friends and everyone is lovely. We met people here that we've stuck with for the last few weeks now. Days were spent sun bathing on Long Beach (the beach furthest away from the nightlife therefore in our minds the cleanest) and drinking copious amounts in the evening and eating our weight in Pad Thai. I fail to see what else you can do on this island. I fail to see what more you would want from this island to be honest!
We all know that with copious amounts of alcohol comes copious amounts of irrational thinking. We've all had that moment when it just seems like the best idea in the world, Phi Phi encourages this. That's why I take no responsibility for the following:
 |
| taking no responsibility.....it was Phi Phi |
 |
| I don't even like cats?! |
I'm sorry for taking ages to blog. Rachel has gone frolicking off to play with tigers today so I have a whole day of sorting out my life! Ahh organisation, how I have missed you!
Laura xx
A quick link to get me to Thailand....
Apologies for the complete neglection of the blog, I have been somewhat distracted by all of the ridiculously awesome things going on around me. I return though with tales of wonder and joy which will hopefully convince anyone who hasn't been to South East Asia to get here and experience it!
After Bali, Rachel and I had our hearts set on Thailand. We decided rather than head to Vietnam and work our way back down, we would work our way up instead. We made a two day stop in Kuala Lumpur. (although anyone who's anyone will just shorten it these days to KL. I like to think it makes me cool and establishes me more as a 'traveller'.)
KL was good, as cities go it was rather similar to most. A famous landmark dubbed 'the twin towers' (i have no words) some pretty impressive live music, the odd brawl (westerners of course) and a wave of sewage every few minutes.
The hostel we stayed in was right in the centre and was an absolute steal! They did everything they could to make it homely. You felt you were staying in a bedroom at home which was lovely, mostly because I was tired and dreaming of the double I left behind.......sigh.
After Bali, Rachel and I had our hearts set on Thailand. We decided rather than head to Vietnam and work our way back down, we would work our way up instead. We made a two day stop in Kuala Lumpur. (although anyone who's anyone will just shorten it these days to KL. I like to think it makes me cool and establishes me more as a 'traveller'.)
KL was good, as cities go it was rather similar to most. A famous landmark dubbed 'the twin towers' (i have no words) some pretty impressive live music, the odd brawl (westerners of course) and a wave of sewage every few minutes.
 |
| Look dad! It's the Starship Enterprise! |
The hostel we stayed in was right in the centre and was an absolute steal! They did everything they could to make it homely. You felt you were staying in a bedroom at home which was lovely, mostly because I was tired and dreaming of the double I left behind.......sigh.
 |
| In the middle of playing "hit me baby one more time". Look how happy he is! |
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