Hi all, and many thanks to those of you who keep reading this blog, and taking time and consideration for us. We are thankfully well.
We are home safe from our week off and wonderful holiday on the island of Koh Chang in Thailand. It was everything we needed-- a great, relaxing, hot trip. We swam in the pool and the ocean for hours everyday, as it was the only way to cool off, even though the waters in both were extremely warm. Dean figures in the high 30's, for sure. Almost "warm bath water" temps. The coolest water was the outdoor shower which we used frequently just to keep cool. The ocean was amazing, such deep colors of turquoise. We had a chance to go snorkeling, and that was so neat--totally clear water, coral and tons of "Nemo" style fish. It was an experience we had on our last day, that also added to our tans. (A bit too much for me, no matter how much we tried to protect.) Sitting on the beach was also totally under the shade of trees, as it is just a death wish for your skin to stay out in the sun (and for heat stoke reasons too.) There were these big wooden swings all along the beach, that were tied to the top of huge trees, that let the kids swing way out along the sand, almost to the edge of the water. They were really neat and we took some cute pictures. So much fun and so restful. I feel very rejuvenated and ready for the last 5 weeks of school!
The Logos Easter Concert went over very well, for that I am thankful. The dress rehearsal the THursday afternoon before the concert that night, was, quite frankly, dreadful--the kids were battling the heat and it is quite something, let me tell you, to try to put on a show in hot season! Thankfully the power didn't go out for the concert, nor did a thunderstorm or rain arrive, that would have been so loud on the metal roof of the gym, that we would have been drowned out. The kids sang some beautiful choral pieces that spoke of God's love for us and the nations, then we told the Easter story, through narration and drama by the Gr. 4's. By the concert night, the kids were excited, all dressed up in their national clothing, and they looked great. With the audience all there to add to the adrenaline, they really performed well, and the message of what Jesus did for us at Easter was clearly portrayed. It was good, had lots of nice compliments, and again, considering that last rehearsal, I was glad for any improvement. haha. But it was good, the kids did a great job.
I literally dumped everything from that night into the music room, and the next morning, we woke early (took a personal day from work to leave on day early to avoid traffic) and we were off for the beach.
Traveling by land is interesting out here. We spend 6 hours in commute on Friday, slept at "the Oasis" resort at the end of Cambodia for one night, before we traveled another 6 hours the next day to get to our hotel in koh chang. In a nutshell, this is how many land travel transfers we had to make:
1.tuk tuk from home to bus terminal in PP. (30 min.)
2.bus to end of Cambodia,(5 hours, 3 stops)
3.tuk tuk to Oasis.( 10 min,)(sleep one night)
4.tuk tuk to thai border (30 min)
5.van to Trat (small town in thailand to catch taxi to Ferry stop) plus very strange van change in town (90 min)
6.Truck taxi to ferry (2 benches in the back of a covered truck) (45 min, cuz he did the milk run!)
7. Ferry to island (1 hour)
8. truck taxi to hotel (20 min)
Plus the waiting in between for each next section of our ride to start. Not complaining, but it was trying. We packed too heavy, and had to drag alot of luggage along in the heat (Dean refused to pay the "luggage boys" the one dollar they charged to cart your luggage at the border, but we learned our lesson, and used them on the way back!) The whole time, especially once over the border (crossing the border without language is always interesting) the Thai taxi/bus guys are ALWAYS trying to rip you off big time! It is so frustrating--trying to negotiate prices we are told by locals that should be the fair price--the driver wants more--Dean won't pay it, so we wait... Washrooms are hard to find, especially decent ones, so often we paid a few baht to use one in a restaurant. Even then it's an experience. So, needless to say, we were extremely thankful to just arrive at our destination. We were exhausted. For Dean it was all part of the experience, but I was "experienced out" as we deal with this kind of stuff all the time, so it's not like it's "fun!" Anyways, we made it.
On the way back, we wisened up and hired a car at the Thai border to take us directly to our home in PP. It was twice the price of the bus, BUT, since the bus didn't leave until the next day, we would have had to stay an extra night in Koh Kong, then leave on the bus, and have actually spent more money! I'm sorry if this is boring or confusing, but maybe it gives a bit of a glimmer just into the complication of basic travel here. We leave our hotel at 7:30 am, and were home in PP by 5:00 pm. A much better experience (we eliminated a number of tuk tuk's and taxi's this way.) The car and driver on the way home, we set up with the help of the local who owns this "Oasis" resort in koh Kong--jason from the UK. He was super helpful in telling us what to expect for vehicles and prices, and he was pretty much right on. He has a lovely little, aptly named resort really in the middle of no where, but is fed up with dealing with the corruption of the Khmer people, and may be putting his place up for sale.
On the way home, this car and driver looked great. The air con was actually working when we left, then the car started to overheat, and after one hour or so into the 5 hour drive home, he just shut the air off to save the engine, and we opened the windows to breath the hot air! 5 of us in a little Toyota Camry! Was still better than the lengthier bus. On the way out of town, this driver, who insisted he get paid upfront cuz he needed to buy "gas," drives us around town and stops about 4 different times--once to make a payment to someone ? (gambling debt--he finally had a job, and had got paid?) once to tell his buddies he was heading into PP (we're guessing, of course, ) once to get air in the tires--this whole time, he has paid for stuff with a huge wad of Khmer bills, and we paid him in US!!! This is a strange place. So, it took us a good 45 to actually leave town, but then things were fine.
On the ride home, we saw the following: a Dog hit by a car (not a big surprise, since they wander everywhere!), moto ripped off (Ok, this is Dean's "assumption" of what some guys were doing, but probably a fair one!), the results of a moto accident on the highway, including the deceased's body still laying on the side of the road--young Khmer male, probably driving too fast on a moto, no helmet--you get the picture. It's so sad. We had to avoid a few cows crossing the road ourselves, but our driver was good.
I really insisted on being home Saturday and Sunday before school starts, cuz the ACSI accrediation team is arriving all weekend, and I knew I had lots of cleaning up to do at school and prepping, seeing as we left in such a hurry. Dean has to pick up some big wigs at the airport and we did have supper with some of the team lastnight. Anyways, late in the afternoon after I worked and the kids and us all had a swim, the clouds rolled in really dark, and sure enough, we managed to escape, just in time, a massive storm! It was blowing and raining and LIGHTNENING, like I haven't seen it yet--very electrical. Blowing so much, that it was raining in our house, and I couldn't stop it! There is an airflow screen overtop of our front door, and even though I closed the doors all up, the wind was blowing rain through this screen, and along with it tons of black grit and dirt, all over our main floor. It was gross and nothing I could do about it. Dean even went up to the roof and said the roof was flooding--the drains couldn't handle the speed of the rain.
So, the funny part of this, yet another long winded story, (sorry) is that we had taken the van from school to pick up these ACSI guys to go to supper, and driving to pick them up--SO many of the roads were flooded, like really deep. The van was big enough to get through, but lots of stalled cars. Dean was making a wake, lapping against the buildings (homes and businesses). Then, trees were down, covering many roads! We couldn't believe it! The storm was bad, but we didn't think it was this bad. I thought the first one I saw must have been hit by lightening, but since there were so many more, it must have been the wind. Huge trees, ripped by the roots right out of the concrete blocks that kept them secured in the sidewalk! They blocked off a number of our routes, so we took detours. Yet another interesting thing that actually surprised me--not seen that kind of carnage yet in PP.
So, finally, we hope you all had a great Easter break. We sure did, and as much as Easter is not a celebrated holiday out here (it was actually Khmer New Year for the week, same as in Thailand, so the local celebrated that) we were very aware of the Easter season, thanks to Logos and the students, and our Christian community out here, and it was good. Some of you inquired as to whether the political climate in Thailand affected us--not in the least. What is going on in the news in Bankgok does not effect a little sleepy island resort town. And I think the media blows it up, too. But, there is definitely unrest. Cambodians are not encouraged to travel to bangkok, although 2 of our staff members were there, and were actually in some mall that had to be evacuated. However, they are home safe and sound, and the airport for them was fine.
As mentioned, 5 more weeks of school (we have another full week off in May around Steph's birthday, during which we will pack up and get ready to come to Canada) and please pray for this Accreditation team that will be assessing our school this mOnday and Tuesday. Dean and everyone has worked very hard "legitimizing" our school to pass this accreditation, so the next few days are crucial with the visit. We are looking forward to positive feedback from the team, and as a school are well prepared. Dean and Dan have worked very hard.
So, thanks for your Easter wishes, your donations and e-mails, thoughts and prayers. We will stay in touch now a little more frequently, I hope, seeing as things are winding down.
Lots of love,
Les
PS If you're interested in how the "locals" "celebrate" their New Year (sangkron, I think it's spelled in Thailand), if you don't already know, read on: They stand in the streets and throw water on passing vehicles! And if you get too close, you get this powdery, mud like paste wiped on your face! Steph and Julia got it, when they did an ice cream run to the little store next to our hotel. And, we all got hosed (literally!) coming home from a nice little hike to one of the many waterfalls on the island, on a taxi (open sides in the back of a truck--we were sitting targets) buckets of water thrown directly on us, from either people on the streets, or from people in the back of trucks coming from the other direction--there's a fair amount of force coming from the other way! I should know, as I took it full on in the head, much to my family's amusement! It was fun, all of us were wet anyways, (and it's cool!) except for Maya who cried, and then spent ever other taxi ride from then on, hiding from the sides cuz she didn't want to get hit by the water! Funny.
PPS. I had a stomach sickness that week of the concert before we left for holidays. After day 7 of not much improvement, I went to the international clinic in Thailand, was treated royally to a stool sample, and was given antibiotics. Things are better, but still not great. Still lots of nausea for me, and just not totally right, so we'll see how things go, and maybe make another trip to the doc. We were charged only 1500 Baht (around $45) for the visit, then a bit extra for the test and the meds, and that was a deal, because we were residents in Cambodia ( I could show my drivers licence.) If we were just visiting, the rate would be 6000 Baht, because of all the international paperwork. The hospital was great, clean, efficient, pretty nurses all dressed in white and wearing high heels! and I was glad I wasn't there like the couple people I saw who were all bandaged up from road rash, from moto accidents, or the like! that would be a nasty way to spend your vacation!!!
Will keep in touch! Bye for now. xoxo
