oNe PhOtO a DaY AuGuSt 2022:

 

AUGUST 1st I AM: Years ago, I used to start every academic year by asking the new international students to write 20 statements (10 nouns and 10 adjectives) that began with “I am” as a way of introducing themselves and do it as an example on the board myself. It must be things you cannot see. I haven’t done it in years so here we go.. 
I am a … traveller, swimmer, photographer, cyclist, vegetarian, writer, cook, teacher, an optimist and an idealist. (Bonus points for changing articles LOL)
I am …. generous, kind, flexible, compassionate, responsible, mindful, organised, committed, sensitive and passionate

AUGUST 2nd I LOVE THIS COLOUR: and this pendant, so much so that when the original was broken in my luggage, I immediately not only bought a new one but also adapted the old one

 

AUGUST 3rd I WALKED HERE: in the early morning, in the near deserted zone immediately in front of the Royal Palace. Our timing was perfect as the only other people we saw were hordes of monks and young novices. I’m assuming classes at the nearby Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University had just finished. I never tire of those orange robes, shy smiles and coy “hello”s

 

AUGUST 4th I LIKE TO: visit the local markets early in the morning, support the local traders and buy local as much a possible while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere

 

AUGUST 5th I LOVE THIS TIME OF DAY: The late afternoon when the black clouds roll in and the skies open up in deafening monsoon rain, accompanied by ear bursting thunder and brilliant streaks of lightning. I really do love it; just more when I’m home on the terrace than when I’m trying to take a stroll along Sisowath Quay riverside

AUGUST 6th I LOVE: the way our new living space is taking shape and feeling so much more like home now. I am especially attached to this breakfast bar zone with the new bamboo bar stools we bought yesterday

AUGUST 7th I MADE THIS: double baked cheesecake with mango and passionfruit puree for our dessert tonight. Of course, after not making it for a decade and always strictly following the recipe, I had to attempt a few variations on the original and am now intrigued about whether it will really be better. I replaced the sour cream layer with yoghurt to make it more Greek style and used limes not lemons as well as reducing the sugar by half. Middle East feast with a twist tonight for dinner with our special guest

 

AUGUST 8th I WORK HERE: Given that I’m officially and totally retired, the only real work I do is in the apartment cleaning, washing and by far the most pleasurable of all cooking. Therefore, I present my new work station

AUGUST 9th I HELD THIS: beautiful book I was gifted on Sunday. Every day since, I have picked it up, read sections of the text and flipped through the fabulous photos reminiscing about our Bhutan adventures and inspiring plans for the next trip. Thank you Dorji

AUGUST 10th I WROTE THIS: list of new characters for the chapter I was studying in this textbook at the time. Nowadays I use an online app but I do love to write Chinese characters and I did have a go today for this prompt

 

AUGUST 11th I SAW: this amazing and beautifully restored and renovated building yesterday afternoon when we were returning home. It’s a creative, shared, Khmer work space used by various artists and creators. Inside, over four levels are a plant shop, a local clothing and homewares outlet with quirky printed designs, a digital art and media space, a coffee shop and café and possibly more.  I have to say I found the building more interesting than the products and certainly had stair envy but will definitely return soon for a coffee and a second look

AUGUST 12th I LIKE TO DRINK: Black coffee, no sugar and at home is preferable to a coffee shop, so this is me in my element late this afternoon

AUGUST 13th I STOOD HERE: on the terrace and admired the super moon last night thinking it was honouring our ancestors. It coincided with Sen Kbal Teuk- or the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts, which we saw being celebrated with the burning of paper money and paper possessions and the setting out of huge feasts to feed those hungry ghosts at the front doors of homes and businesses, in the streets of our neighbourhood yesterday

 

AUGUST 14th I DO THIS ON SUNDAYS: Given that we have no real routine at all, the only thing we consistently do on Sundays is wander about our neighbourhood exploring. Today’s wandering included a market, a café, an art exhibition and several new back alleys, laneways and streets. Everyday life in the capital is still an adventure

AUGUST 15th I ONCE: mistakenly believed it was possible to predict the monsoon downpours from the blackened state of the sky. However today we both got drenched in the torrential rain walking home from the dentist surgery. This month’s selfie as a drowned rat - at least it’s not cold and it’s only water

 

AUGUST 16 I NEVER: tire of discovering interesting street art

 

AUGUST 17 I WENT TO: the train station before 6:30am this morning and we are now heading to Kep to see our friends and of course the little monks

 

AUGUST 18th I READ THIS: as we cycled past yesterday and then stopped and re-read it today feeling very much welcomed. We have met old friends, and been recognised and greeted by locals all over town in the last 24 hours. Tomorrow is the much looked forward to reunion

 

AUGUST 19th I DID THIS GOOD THING: Today we went back to Wat Phnom Poon to visit the little monks and distribute hygiene products to the class. Role plays with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and nailbrushes to select the colours they wanted were the order of the day

 

AUGUST 20th I LOVE THIS VIEW: Last night’s spectacular sunset over the water from the top floor of our dear friend’s house in Kep. Such a beautiful farewell gift from nature as we head back to the capital today after our quick trip back to our first hometown in Cambodia

 

AUGUST 21 I DON’T LIKE TO: take plastic bags in the markets here due to the garbage issues. This is today’s market haul with one plastic bag we recycled and one only new one. The lotus leaf has a bunch of spinach wrapped in it as even the vendors know we don’t want plastic! 
For about AUD $23 today we got:
2 mangoes, 6 passionfruit,1 pineapple, 2 eggplants, a bunch of Japanese spinach, 10 eggs, a block of tofu,11 tomatoes, I radish, 3 sweet potatoes, I red capsicum, 2 tiny cauliflowers, 3 tiny cucumbers, a handful of snow peas, a handful of bean sprouts, a bunch of coriander, 3 bulbs of lotus root and the chillies and spring onions were free from stall holders for buying so much. What’s not to love about Cambodia?

*This shot was selected for the Fab Four on Facebook

AUGUST 22nd ON MONDAYS I: like to prepare dishes that will compliment meals throughout the coming week. I’m the lazy cook - make as much in bulk as possible in one hit and lessen the load for the days to come

 

AUGUST 23rd I SAT HERE: in the tuk tuk returning home with plants and a planter from a newly discovered district. I must confess Ian took this shot but not long after he also took a bad tumble down the stairs and now the only priority is looking after him. Not the shot I planned for today but also not likely to get much of a smile out of me now

 

AUGUST 24th I LIKE TO EAT: this! On Saturday we went to lunch at a beautifully restored Art Deco hotel in Kampot. We ordered the veggie platter and it was more than enough for two served with bread. We absolutely loved it and will definitely go back and order the same as soon as we are in that neck of the woods again

 

AUGUST 25th I HAVE TO: do everything around the house for the next six weeks or more, with my wonderful partner now unable to weight bear with a fractured hip. However, I think that the main priority is delicious and nutritious meals and lots of TLC. This morning’s breakfast was Pa Jun, not that any Korean would probably recognise it and it wouldn’t win any plating awards either but since I’m neither a chef nor Korean, I’m declaring it a success. That smile is all the payment I need. I know I have accomplished my task

 

AUGUST 26th I WORE THIS: to school in Bhutan almost every day for five years. I also dressed him almost every morning as it is much harder to put on a Gho than a Kira. It’s obviously an archive shot too as we are house bound for a while at the moment

 

AUGUST 27th ON WEEKENDS I: have allowed myself an hour or two of social, outdoor timeout from chief cook, bottle washer and nurse duties for my own wellbeing. Slipped out this morning and met briefly with some friends who are relocating. This gorgeous courtyard space is being traded for stunning river views and a terrace.  Can’t wait to see it. Ah life beyond the confines of the Aerie

 

AUGUST 28th I WATCHED THIS…..: Prayer flags fluttering in the evening breeze on the terrace last night. I always feel a sense of calm when I notice the prayer flags and I even managed to capture the movement with my phone camera for the first time ever. I took a moment to stand still and be mindful about the good things that had happened during the day to remind myself that there are always positives

AUGUST 29th I CAN: make high calcium, high protein, fibre rich meals which are vegetarian and comply with our eat a rainbow policy to ensure Ian heals and recovers as soon as possible and I enjoy doing it. This is a sample of our meals in the last six days

 

AUGUST 30th I CAN’T: believe that it has taken me this long to start making my own natural cleaning products. After years of reducing, recycling, reusing, repurposing and refusing, I finally did it today. Now I need to research if I can add lemongrass oil to the mix so the scent is my all-time favourite two fresheners: lime and lemongrass. Amazing what a little enforced home time can inspire

 

31st I BELIEVE: we should buy local, refuse plastic, support local artists, and entrepreneurs and appreciate culture and as expats it is even more essential. This morning’s purchases demonstrate my commitment to that belief

 

THE PROMPTS

Disaster Strikes - A terrible accident and the gory details!

Just before heading out to the plant shop we collected Ian's new glasses

23/8

OK I just had the scare of my life!

We discovered a street that sells plants and pots today and bought a few things, including a planter.

While tuk tuking home we discussed getting someone from downstairs to help Ian carry it up but then no one was around and Ian decided he could do it. It was heavy and after the first flight of stairs, he was reluctant to put it down and rest as he would have had to pick it up again.

He made it up over half the next flight before falling backwards!!!

He only fell about five steps but he hit his hip and head and went completely white and was briefly out cold. At this point I started calling his name and then hysterically screaming when he was not responding to my voice and I honestly thought he was dying.

The stairs in question- it was the bend that stopped him going all the way down: small mercies

Neighbours on that level instantly appeared from everywhere. Cotton wool, antiseptic, wet wipes, fans, band aids, water and genuine concern and assistance materialised. These are people we know well enough to say hello to but with whom we share no common language. Only one of them has ever spoken any English to us. Nonetheless they got Ian upright and he came to and was able to speak and focus and insisted he didn’t want to go to hospital. I can only assume, that the reason I agreed was because I was in so much shock myself. Medical supplies were thrust into my hands as they found him a chair and fanned him with cardboard. He rested for a while and wanted to go home.

Two men carried him up the last two flights of stairs and got him inside because his hip was so sore he could not take his own weight at all!! Once inside, the shop owner from downstairs, who does speak English and has always been incredibly friendly, arrived at our door and provided a bottle of muscle balm oil. She left with the muffins I baked yesterday and a promise to share with all those who helped.

Double chocolate muffins 

Next our French neighbour from the same level arrived to see if he could help as he had been told by the shopkeeper that Ian had broken his leg! I guess everyone who saw the incident will now have their own version of events.

Much later, we were told that people thought the stairs themselves had collapsed as they saw the broken pieces of concrete from the planter tumbling down them and that another of our neighbours actually broke her hip on those same stairs a couple of years ago. So the verdict is unlucky but also so lucky nothing appears to be broken.

When the nearest next door neighbour arrived he and I actually discussed the repair of these disintegrating stairs and the fact that they need to be secured and stabilised for all the households who live here. He already has a quote for the work apparently. Now we have vowed to do just that once the rainy season is over in November. This is something Ian and I have been discussing since we first saw the Aerie in February, so I guess this is the catalyst to really make it happen!!

More of the stairs in desperate need of repair 

Since then Ian has slowly, using a stool as a walker, made his way to the shower, and requested coffee and lunch and even managed to smile while being cleaned up and treated by nurse me, so I’m finally convinced that he is back with us now.

Of course, the planter was shattered and the mess cleaned up before we even got up to our home. I’m pretty sure we won’t be rushing back to buy another one for a while, and we will definitely not be attempting to carry it up stairs ourselves ever again.

I’m grateful for how lucky we are to live in a residential community that cares, co-operates and pitches in together. And even more thankful for the way they embraced us today.

Might be a while before he is stomping up those stairs again though I think.

Only now as I write this has the shock subsided enough for me to actually cry.

Oh please just let him recover. 

24/8

After a very uncomfortable night and a little coercion - thanks for that support Philip and Anthony, we made the difficult and painful journey downstairs today to visit a clinic. He was piggy-backed up and down by two wonderful Khmer men but the out come was not great news.

Sorry to say he has a fractured hip bone! It’s a stable hairline fracture and doesn’t require surgery but it’s going to mean 6-8 weeks of no weight bearing and weekly trips back to the clinic which will involve those stairs of course but will hopefully get less painful as the healing occurs!

We are both emotionally and physically exhausted. We honestly feel blessed to live in the community we do. We also really appreciate the support, advice and actual assistance from friends here and overseas.

So we are staying put and taking things easy for a while.

According to the X-ray report it is a stable hairline fracture of the anterior-inferior iliac spine:- that is the pelvis not hip it would seem. Not what we were hoping for but at least a 100% recovery is predicted.

25/8

Today was the most positive yet. Although neither of us left the apartment, we both did well.

Breakfast in bed and even a smile for the cook

Ian was in less pain and we managed to get him showered. He is feeling more positive and in much less pain too. I’m sure at least a third of yesterday’s pain was from being dragged up and down the stairs.

We are supposed to go back in a week but we think two weeks is going to be soon enough for another X-ray and more advice considering the ordeal of getting up and down.

Another expat friend of a friend, who we met only once offered for us to share his apartment with a spare bedroom as it has an elevator and no internal steps and our dear friend Yary invited us to move to her house with no steps and let her driver take us to the appointments.

We decided to see how it goes until the next time he goes down and decide if we go to Yary’s or if we are better off here where we have everything we need and feel much more relaxed since shops, markets etc are a short walk away, which actually makes it way more convenient. No way to know until we try just staying put but that is what we are currently thinking.

We have developed a few strategies for essential movement and are making use of the resources we have. I’m so glad we have so many stools of various heights. They have already come in very handy - on the bed for a table, walking frame and sitting on while under the shower. We got a pair of big under arm crutches too.

Adjusting crutches 

All round it was a very successful day and we are both feeling more optimistic too.

Lots of offers of help have made me realise how tight the friendship circle here is. We will take it and have accepted help already

Focusing on the positives and resting and healing now. We are going to find three positives every day and share them with each other until Ian’s more mobile.

26/8

I’m focusing on preparing high calcium, high protein and high fibre meals and snacks.

Roasted and raw salad with beans, omelette strips and Camembert

I have actually managed to get out of the house twice today whilst only leaving my patient when he is comfortable and promises not to move at all.

We have fresh veggies and fruit from the market and I have now bought medical supplies to return to all those wonderful households on the first floor, who thrust things into my hands when I was in shock on Tuesday.

Muesli cookies and coffee for afternoon tea

I also baked muesli cookies as a gift to add to a package for each household but have had no luck delivering them yet. All doors are shut and there are padlocks on the outside too. This is the security we also employ learning from the long-term, local residents but I digress.

I will now blog this or it will be a book!

Footnote: 

Finally managed to deliver resident's packages and post this 27/8.

Things are looking up

Returning home before disaster struck

oNe PhOtO a DaY NoVeMbEr 2020

 

THE PROMPTS

 

SUNDAY 1st ONE COLOUR: Anyone who knows me knows that would be orange. If there is a choice of colours available I’ll always choose orange. Just a flat lay of a random selection of orange things in the house at the moment

 

MONDAY 2nd FLOWERS: I don’t know what kind of flowers these are but I do often admire them. They grow in the gorgeous garden of a very dear friend

TUESDAY 3rd SUGAR: Vegan chocolate coconut brownies for dessert tonight. PAD you made me do it!

 

WEDNESDAY 4th NATURE: Nothing quite soothes the soul like sunset at the sea. My go to place for nature’s blessings

THURSDAY 5th IN THE MIDDLE: This is my favourite Cambodian snack. They are made of sticky rice and there is fresh coconut cooked in palm sugar in the middle. We buy them at least once a week for the monks. After today’s class there were two left over so we each got one too

FRIDAY 6th BIRD: An archive shot of a kingfisher sitting on the branch outside our bedroom window in Rangjung, Bhutan. Of the many bird shots, I have, this is my all-time favourite. This was a regular resting spot from which it could view the river below and swoop in to catch a meal. I dubbed this spot the singing tree at the time as so many different species of birds perched there and sang joyfully in the mornings, over the two-year period we lived in that house

 

SATURDAY 7th SOMETHING I DO EVERY DAY: would be drink coffee and read. It’s the simple quiet life that soothes my soul

SUNDAY 8th A FAVOURITE WORD: I was going to choose gratitude as it’s something I practice every day but the wordsmith in me had to select “Coddiwomple”, meaning to travel purposefully towards and as-yet-unknown destination. I want to perfect this talent

 

MONDAY 9th A CORNER OF MY HOME: This my favourite corner of the living room. I like it because the serene and calming mood it creates provides a perfect reading nook. The morning light at breakfast time today seemed to perfectly illuminate the mandala

TUESDAY 10th OLDER: Early yesterday morning two of the older monks in our class came to visit us at home to tell us that there would be no classes this week. They are all off on a road trip to visit Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri this week. I am so happy for them and thrilled that they were considerate enough to come and inform us. Actually, they are all getting older now and I might have to drop the little monks of Kep moniker

 

WEDNESDAY 11th THIS MAKES ME HAPPY: So, a friend contacts me this morning and says she’ll pop over for a coffee. I immediately decide I better bake something as it’s not often this happens these days. I decided on chocolate muffins, baked them and then by the time they cooled and I sprinkled them with icing sugar, she informed me she was on the way! Baking always makes me happy and sharing makes me happier - just donated two to our new neighbours

 

THURSDAY 12th GRASS: Rice is the seed of a grass and right now it’s harvest time here in Kep. The variety eaten here is Oryza Sativa- Asian rice. This bunch came from a paddy that will be harvested this afternoon

 

FRIDAY 13th SOMETHING I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: is definitely love. I was all set to post a shot of my partner and then realised that he is not a something so it wasn’t at all appropriate so this archive shot from NYC 2017 covers both options

SATURDAY 14th THE WEATHER TODAY: was hot and sunny so we waited until late afternoon to swim so we could enjoy the twilight at our favourite viewing spot on our walk

SUNDAY 15th WAVES: The perfect prompt for today’s picnic and boat trip in Kep Bay. Although for most of the day, the ocean was almost completely flat, except for the wake created by the boat, on the way back there were actually a few gentle waves lapping the side of the boat with shoals of tiny silver fish leaping out of them. It feels like such a privilege to be able to share such a simple outdoor activity with friends when so much of the world is in lockdown, confinement or quarantine. Feeling blessed

 

MONDAY 16th SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL: is most definitely a swim in this gorgeous pool set in the middle of a lovely garden at twilight after a long, hot humid day

 

TUESDAY 17th WHAT I’M DOING TODAY: I’m back in the classroom with our little monks and encouraging correct spelling on the board and full sentences and clear pronunciation as they give their 4 sentence summaries of vehicles. It was thumbs up for good concentration and application this morning .... now to work on actually listening to each other!

WEDNESDAY 18th MY FAVOURITE FOOD: I don’t really have one favourite but I’m keen on the eat a rainbow philosophy of food and salads, so this is it. My signature dish Beijing Salad, which is my individual adaptation of a street food we used to get in Beijing in the 1990’s, hence the name. This bowl was part of last night’s Chinese banquet for a birthday celebration

THURSDAY 19th I WENT HERE: Today I was taking a shot for this prompt today when I stepped forward and my foot slid out from under me in water and so I went here: to Emergency at the Sonia Kill Memorial Hospital. Having fractured my kneecap. I have just undergone a procedure and a screw has been inserted!

 

This is the photo I intended to post

 

FRIDAY 20th STARTS WITH T: I’m going with teaching starts with T. This was taken during our class yesterday and that may well be the last class I teach for the next couple of months as a result of the accident that happened about five minutes later. Two to three months of healing and rehabilitation before I’m cycling back to the pagoda again, is the verdict of the experts, who reconstructed my knee yesterday afternoon. Couldn’t let this opportunity to showcase our clever little monks go by so teaching and of course learning it is

 

SATURDAY 21st THIS OR THAT: My lunch choices today included sticky rice with beans and bananas purchased in the local market or homemade cassava, corn, peanut and basil soup. I chose the soup. Both breakfast and lunch in bed today as I begin the rehabilitation process. I will make an effort to get up for dinner I promise

 

SUNDAY 22nd UPSIDE DOWN: An archive shot of shenanigans that took place on a day trip to Bokor with friends earlier this year, before the world turned upside down and it was possible to be light-hearted and playful. Hopefully things will turn right side up soon

 

MONDAY 23rd SHARP: I’m no big fan of cacti but there were a couple in pots at our house when we moved in and they have thrived. This one has devilish thorns that are so sharp and I have accidentally been caught on it a few times. Nowadays I have placed it in a safer location and do my best to avoid it

 

TUESDAY 24th SERENITY: meaning the absence of stress or anxiety, is embodied in the sight and sounds of prayer flags flapping over the mountains. I can recall standing under them and closing my eyes to listen to the sound of the wind and feeling completely calm. Yet again this is an archive shot. Given my lack of mobility at the moment I’m guessing there may well be a few archive shots for a while. At least it brought me enormous pleasure to peruse so many Bhutan photos this morning

WEDNESDAY 25th THIS SEASON: is harvest season. The rains have almost stopped and the harvesting is underway. This was taken just over two weeks ago and the grain has been completely processed now. We were given a beautiful bag of dried, threshed, and polished fragrant, white rice yesterday and plan to eat some with dinner tonight. It must also be the season for kindness because so many lovely people have rallied around and supported me in recent days

 

THURSDAY 26th AN EDGE: of the second-hand, wooden Japanese platter I am currently using as a tray at my bedside

 

FRIDAY 27th A PICTURE OF ME: taken today in the hospital after my first check up after surgery a week ago. I actually wanted to see the Physio but she was on leave and then after two hours waiting and being attended to, I was so exhausted and relieved that we could go home now I found my smile

 

SATURDAY 28th OUT OF FOCUS: The spinning movement of a prayer wheel captured and that out of focus blur being exactly what I was aiming for. Another archive shot from Bhutan. Another lazy stroll down memory lane while lack of mobility ties me to the house

 

SUNDAY 29th A VIEW: I never tire of. Kep Bay at twilight taken two weeks ago when we last rode by, stopped and took the millionth photo from that view point. Current goal is to do that again in Jan 2021 when things are going to be so much better

 

MONDAY 30th TINY PEOPLE: Ian was Class teacher, English teacher, Science teacher, Technology teacher, Sports teacher and Teacher-Librarian  spending most of his working day with these tiny people for our last year of teaching in Bhutan. They were a class of just 5 and an incredible bond developed between them and us. They are still in contact via social media and have grown into amazing young people and they still love “their sir” but maybe not quite as much as me!