DECEMBER 1st STARTS WITH T: Toiletries for the little monks purchased on our shopping trip today
DECEMBER 2nd STAR: a small set of origami stars I bought yesterday inspired by this prompt and that their sale funds the educational needs of the group of students, who make them, through a project by Epic Arts in Kampot
- details of the project
DECEMBER 4th THIS IS JOY: Two of our little monks discovering how to play Jenga at the end of class time. It is an archive shot taken about a month ago when they were still learning colours
DECEMBER 5th LIGHTS: An archive shot of the lights on Thimphu Dzong
DECEMBER 6th SOMETHING RED: In this house that just has to be chillies
DECEMBER 7th THE WEATHER OUTSIDE: Just sunshine, perfect blue skies and a light breeze - a perfect day in the tropics especially when you spot vivid pink water lilies in a natural pond from the tuk tuk
DECEMBER 8th MAIL: It’s a bit tricky here with no service to many countries for almost two years. The last mail we received containing very sad news from Germany took almost three months to arrive and I just discovered it was actually posted on this day last year and the last postcard I wrote over a year ago which still can’t be mailed and the recipient has now sold that house anyway!! Snail mail is almost extinct in these parts!
DECEMBER 9th I BOUGHT THIS: bracelet: it has two capsules, one of which has sand from Kenya, where the Reteti Elephant Sancatury is located and the other is empty. I hope to fill it with sand from Mondulkiri where there are several organisations, which support local elephants. I love elephants and have visited several sanctuaries. It also happens to be orange. Yep I bought this for me and several others supporting and different environments and wildlife to gift to friends
These are the details of the project
DECEMBER 10th SOMETHING SILVER: I spotted at a friend’s house yesterday
DECEMBER 11th TREE: A huge tree on the shoreline at Kep Beach framing Rabbit Island in the background. We took my first long stroll since surgery there, just before sunset yesterday afternoon
DECEMBER 12th DECORATION: Since there isn’t much of a Xmas vibe here in Cambodia, I’m going with the gorgeous interior decorations, which I noticed yesterday. Locally made baskets, bamboo poles and wooden birds adorn the light fittings at Java Bleue in Kampot
DECEMBER 13th US: Standing at Kep Beach and feeling grateful for the life we have here
DECEMBER 14th A TREAT: This morning I made Dukkah as a treat for us and to add to a homemade Xmas hamper I’m creating
DECEMBER 15th SOMETHING GREEN: It actually looks like an impersonation of a Xmas tree but it is a piece of recycled silk sari and I use it as a wrapping cloth- aka furushiki. Today we did the final shopping run and got all the remaining ingredients to assemble a Xmas hamper so I was testing how to deliver the gift and stay true to my zero-plastic philosophy
DECEMBER 16th SMALL: Last time I went to wear this bracelet I discovered it is now a few small beads and several individual Carnelian crystals! I’m hoping to find some leather to rethread it or repurpose the stones and beads
DECEMBER 17th PEACE: on earth and good will to all mankind and womankind too! We begin distributing Xmas hampers, cakes, shortbread and treats today, so I made some gift tags
DECEMBER 18th SPARKLE: A Xmas treat about to be chilled and I’m looking forward to this sparkle in my glass on the big day
DECEMBER 19th I MADE THIS: Xmas cake with mostly local, tropical, dried fruit and another thirteen just like it in various sizes. Now that almost half have been distributed as gifts, we decided we should have a taste test with coffee while manning a stall in the Festive Eco Market. Verdict ….. very delicious. I think we will stick with this two-decade old tradition
DECEMBER 20th A GIFT: The Xmas Hamper we assembled as a gift for a couple of great friends. There is one of our Xmas cakes hidden in the eco-wrap
DECEMBER 21st CANDY CANE: Literally the only candy canes I have ever seen in Cambodia were these. I spotted them last week in a cafe when the purchaser opened the box to see what was in the gingerbread house kit she had ordered locally. I had to go up and ask her if I could snap a pic. The things we do for PAD!
DECEMBER 22nd SANTA: Plenty of Santa costumes on the rack and even a beard to go but no Santa sightings here
DECEMBER 23rd THIS MAKES ME MERRY: in more ways than one! Nothing quite like being given a bottle of real, French champagne while sharing cocktails on spectacular sky bar with palace views! It might be deliriously joyful rather than just merry in fact
DECEMBER 24th PARTY FOOD: A Xmas dessert platter I made a couple of years ago! I have made exactly the same three items for a hotel in Kep this year too but I’m not there to present it so I’m not sure what it will look like on the table
*This one was unexpectedly selected in the Fab Four for Facebook. In a month that was Xmas themed I certainly didn’t expect that
DECEMBER 26th FREE CHOICE: I love this café and shop with a mission of empowerment and inclusion. The ambience is lovely and the space restored and renovated beautifully. Today I climbed up and down these stairs for the second time since we arrived in Battambang. It is also an accomplishment for me to overcome the fear and to feel that it’s achievable after my knee surgery
DECEMBER 27th I DID THIS TODAY: Before the heat set in we visited Wat Samrong Knong this morning. I was particularly taken with the ancient ruins within the temple grounds and the juxtaposition of old and new temples
DECEMBER 28th FAVE BIT OF 2021: for me was discovering this delightful young novice, who we had taught for over three years along with three others, was going to continue his education and spiritual training in Phnom Penh. Although, we seriously miss them, it’s incredible to think that when we first met none of them had ever been to school and many had never even held a pencil. It does my soul good to know their futures are brighter
DECEMBER 29 A BOOK: I was gifted before Xmas and have just finished reading. I’m so glad I tossed in my bag for this trip as I accidentally forgot my iPad which was loaded up with books I also wanted to read. This is the holiday vibe and I’ve always loved reading books about places I’m travelling in at the time
DECEMBER 30th SOMETHING COLOURFUL: This enormous salad served to us at Ristorante Italiano in Battambang a few days ago, wins the prize for being the most colourful (eat a rainbow) salad I’ve ever eaten, that I didn’t make myself. Although I’ve taken several colourful shots today nothing compared with this
DECEMBER 31st ONE WORD FOR 2022: HOPE
“If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope. Let it be hope that better things are always ahead. Let it be hope that you can get through even the toughest of times. Let it be hope that you are stronger than any challenge that comes your way. Let it be hope that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now, and that you are on the path to where you are meant to be……. Because during these times, Hope will be the very thing that carries you through.”
Nikki Banas
I have lost count of the number of times I have begun messages and emails and conversations with ‘I hope…’ so my one word for 2022 is hope. I made this in our hotel room today with essentials, gifts and treats- all items we have purchased on this trip. Happy New Year!
THE PROMPTS