Chris's Blog Jan. 10

I have to work backwards in order to remember our activities. Today was especially frustrating. We have been in Cambodia for a week and to all of us it seems like forever, not in a bad way but the pace and heat are exhausting. Also trying to work in a language you dont understand is like swimming in glue. We got the painting of the two buildings underway after much discussion about paint. The walls here are a limestone base and it is harder to get the paint to stick. First the walls need to be sanded which sends out reams of dust. Then the interior needs to be primed- usually they mix cheap paint with water and glue so I had to convince the painter that primer was better. Then due to miscommunication the exterior paint was mixed with too much water and had to be changed. The painter hired 6 people who do not know anything about painting and it shows. How can I complain when he probably only pays them $2 a day. The paint however was not cheap. I think we got it all straightened out now. Sophal the director said that the painter did not know how to manage and his crew ran amok! We went back tonight and it is starting to look good. Sophal said that a few of the children wandered back in the afternoon and were excited about the "new" building. I am sure it will all take shape and be OK. It reminds me of our remodeling in Conn. Anyway the boys will paint the trim tomorrow and I am sure it will look great for our party on Friday. Tomorrow Sophal and I head out at 7am in our tuk tuk to buy more paint and go to the bank.
We also went into the village to meet some of the Day Care families. It was definitely an eye opening experience for the students. They live in huts made of palm grass and bamboo, simple construction with one room shared by all. All cooking is done outside in a pit with few pots. One of the little girls came to the center yesterday with a burn on her foot that I had dressed Mon. Hot water was spilled on her by accident while her mother was cooking. Unfortunately that is not an uncommon thing. While walking to the second families home we were followed by about 25 children. I felt like the piped piper. Quite a few of the children went to the Day Care and we sat together - all on my lap. I asked all of them their names- the only thing I can say in Khamai.
Yesterday was exciting. We got to the center at 8 and within 30 min. I was taking 2 children to the Emergency. One little boy fell and hit his head on the cement step. He needed stitches. The little girl, Srey Mom, was the one with the burn on her foot. Her mother took her to the village healer and she spit something on her foot? It looked terrible. Once there we were frisked upon entry- signs everywhere about no guns. I had just met a man at the hotel in the morning that was an EOD in the Navy, now retired working in Pailin (which is heavily mined). We had a nice chat trying to find out if we knew anyone in common in the Navy. He told me about the Trauma center here and how wonderful it was. It must be fate. I was impressed - we could have been in the US except for the waiting time- which was short. The little girls mom got a talking to about the folk healer and he firmly gave her instructions on proper care. The little boy got his stiches, by a nurse I might add- very efficient. Not a peep out of the little boy but Srey mom was quite verbal. I need to make a note to teach simple medical care- first aid. Sophal does a good job but I need to get her a few things and teach the childminders.
Yesterday we also went on the Bamboo train. This is literally a bamboo platform on wheels that rides on the train track powered by a motor. We must have gone at rush hour. It is made to get on and off the track very quickly- a few minutes. The rules of the road are whatever is bigger or heavier has right of way. We got off first for a real train moving quite slowly and carrying CalTex. Then we were off for a bamboo train carrying 2 motos. Riding along the track is like being on an amusement ride. The rails are not smooth and the platform is thin- gives your but a buzz. We stopped also to pick up passengers. It was a neat way to see the countryside. We traveled through the rice fields which have just been harvested. There were many cows- beautiful white with bells but skinny.