The Initial Part
As introduced, this trip is a somewhat like a charitable expedition. The organisers (SIF) where right, we shouldn't expect to contribute much. It was supposed to be a learning experience for the participants. This was a departure from what I had set out to do, to do my part to improve someone's life.
For 15 days, we stayed at a village called Prey Veng. We stayed at the village chief and his son's place, without coincidence, the most 'luxurious' wooden shed. There's a well to itself with a diesel-run pump attached, concrete floored shower and toilet, concrete-reinforced columns, black and white television, and flouresent lighting. To furthur illustrate my point how fortunate we were in those circumstances, the following picture shows a typical shed that the villagers live in. 
But we were somewhat surprised to see pool tables in one of the house, they also had styrofoam boxes that I will tell later why it is such a blessing to have them around. In general, the village is not as backward as I first thought of it. Although considered totally undesirable compared to Singapore standards, I find it more delactable than army outfield life. The funny thing is, when we left the village after 15 days, I couldn't get used to hustle and bustle of Phomn Penh.
The first night was a flashback of army life for me. We reached after sundown, so naturally it was pitch dark. After setting up our mosquito nets amongst darkness and indian chiefs, it was time to get ready to sleep and wake up for the next day. We decided that only the girls would get to bath, while the guys would wait for the next day. So the best alternative was to powder bath. On my way down, I sort of missed a step and twisted my ankle a bit. Oh I remembered it was raining a fair bit, there was rumours that the raining season is coming, so all of us bought PCK boots in anticipation of the muddy conditions. It proved useful only for one time. The rest of times we used them at the site, where it remained cloudy whether or not it is compulsory for all of us to wear it, or just normal shoes would do. Back to the powder bath, I think it must have been a spectacle to the villagers opposite to see a group of men powdering themselves all white in the middle of the night.
For 15 days, we stayed at a village called Prey Veng. We stayed at the village chief and his son's place, without coincidence, the most 'luxurious' wooden shed. There's a well to itself with a diesel-run pump attached, concrete floored shower and toilet, concrete-reinforced columns, black and white television, and flouresent lighting. To furthur illustrate my point how fortunate we were in those circumstances, the following picture shows a typical shed that the villagers live in. 
But we were somewhat surprised to see pool tables in one of the house, they also had styrofoam boxes that I will tell later why it is such a blessing to have them around. In general, the village is not as backward as I first thought of it. Although considered totally undesirable compared to Singapore standards, I find it more delactable than army outfield life. The funny thing is, when we left the village after 15 days, I couldn't get used to hustle and bustle of Phomn Penh.The first night was a flashback of army life for me. We reached after sundown, so naturally it was pitch dark. After setting up our mosquito nets amongst darkness and indian chiefs, it was time to get ready to sleep and wake up for the next day. We decided that only the girls would get to bath, while the guys would wait for the next day. So the best alternative was to powder bath. On my way down, I sort of missed a step and twisted my ankle a bit. Oh I remembered it was raining a fair bit, there was rumours that the raining season is coming, so all of us bought PCK boots in anticipation of the muddy conditions. It proved useful only for one time. The rest of times we used them at the site, where it remained cloudy whether or not it is compulsory for all of us to wear it, or just normal shoes would do. Back to the powder bath, I think it must have been a spectacle to the villagers opposite to see a group of men powdering themselves all white in the middle of the night.
posted by taxi taker at 8:00 PM
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