Trepidation

(By Susan)

This morning we wake up in Cambodia.  That seems like such a strange statement.  We sit by the pool having bacon and egg, listening to English, Irish, Canadian, Singaporean, Ballarat accents. In Phnom Penh. Odd.

This is where, I think, it begins.  As a part of the building project that we’re doing, the Tabitha Foundation require all of their ‘build teams’ to visit the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng prison.  The intent is for everyone to have a context for the work that we’ll do in the villages.  I’m not looking forward to it.  Both Dermot & I woke this morning after disturbing dreams.  We’re both a little nervous.

The memorial at Choeng Ek

We haven’t seen Rory yet this morning, but I hope he’s slept well – it was a big day yesterday of travel that began with a two-hour intense Muay Thai training session.  I’ll be interested to see how he is.

The shower was the best so far.  The few laps of the pool this morning were most refreshing.  The breakfast was tasty, and included Berri apple juice and vegemite options.  Perhaps it serves to offer a dramatic contrast.  I can hear the chaos that is the streets of Phnom Penh outside the walls of the hotel courtyard.  We’ll be taking a four-seater tuk-tuk an hour-and-a-half South (apparently it’s about 15km, but it’s a terrible road) to visit the Killing Fields first, and then the Prison museum later on.  The words that have been used thus far by those who have been there include ‘heavy’, ‘hard’, ‘gruelling’, ‘intense’, and ‘eviscerating’….  Ah dear.

Wish us strength.

(Photos from various locations on the Web)