PHNOM PENDING and well we did go to Battambang too

 

29/10

I LOVE the area we live in. Tonight, after having had a great day wandering mostly, we were sitting on the terrace and suddenly there were fireworks. Of course, we both then remembered that it’s the Anniversary of King Norodom Sihamoni’s coronation day tomorrow. Thanks for that insight Dale.

 

Because the streets are lively, and the fireworks added further excitement, we were gazing into the street scenes. An elderly very drunk man was staggering along and stumbling in the middle of traffic. Cars slowed, motos veered he wove and wobbled and almost fell but remained upright due to his stick. He still clutched his empty bottle and proceeded tentatively. At a much busier intersection I feared he would be injured and in my western way wished someone would just offer to assist him safely across the street, but no, he made it and continued along his way unharmed.

 

8/11

It’s Water Festival but for the third consecutive year there is no dragon boat racing. It didn’t change the fact that some crews continued training and we were lucky enough to see them.

However right now the streets, markets, river and even households are slowed down, more relaxed and light-hearted than is usual. It is still a public holiday and the ASEAN Summits are happening.

 

It’s more than ever lovely to wander the streets to walk to most of the places we need to go to. The sound and sight of helicopters is not unheard of on any day but I’m guessing it will become more prevalent over the coming days.

 

The local kids are running, scootering, rollerblading and playing with balls on the flat surfaces of the less crowded streets. They are also screaming and they like the howling dogs seem to set each other off. Mostly it’s pure pleasure with the kids at least. The dogs I see less often than I hear, so I’m not so sure.

 

 

9 /11

ASEAN got fireworks tonight and we had the same vantage point as last time. This view of the fireworks displays was certainly not anything I expected or even considered when we chose the Aerie. Living in the moment and counting the blessings!

Ian's fabulous shot with the iconic Central market in the foreground 

As suspected the helicopters flying above have increased in number significantly in the past few days as PMs, presidents, foreign ministers and military commanders start pouring in from across the region and well beyond. While we actually enjoy the visuals, I can’t help but wonder if it is triggering for many of the locals for whom that sound and sight bears the trauma of a not so distant history.

 

11/11

Since returning from beautiful Battambang we have delighted in cooking together and availing of the fresh produce which abounds in the market.

 

Battambang was just exactly the recovery break we so needed. It always impresses me that the character of the old town has been preserved and that the governance seems to display a forward-thinking attitude. Billboards and giant electronic screens for advertising have been banned so that the riverside can maintain that old world, colonial charm that I find so aesthetically appealing.

We selected it with the intention to swim and walk the quaint, traditional streets in the old quarter daily and did exactly that. We thoroughly enjoyed the museum’s well documented collection despite having seen it before and even discovered a photographic gallery and found the studio gallery of a local artist who I have long admired.

 

Every visit in the past I have purchased postcards of Loeum Lorn's work and finally after reading reviews that his gallery was temporarily closed and the Google maps pin being wrongly located, we stumbled upon it quite by accident and found the artist himself happy to discuss his work.

The Tep Kao Sol gallery is a collection of watercolours of smiling Cambodian children, wrinkled, elderly, rural women, monks in saffron robes strolling past the yellow facades of French colonial buildings, landscapes and Apsara dancers with mysterious expressions. These images are not only enormously appealing to travellers but that very reality is disappearing fast in this era of development. Of course, we could not resist purchasing but also not an original just a reproduction of it on canvas.

 

Since returning we have vowed that regular trips to Battambang will quite definitely be a part of our policy of continuing to enjoy a simple, slow, secure and sustainable life and being able to take the train there through beautiful rural landscapes and enjoy the subtle changes of the season and environment as we wend our way west, is a big part of the reason why.

 

Holding not just casual gatherings but also actual sit-down dinner parties is another thing we both love to do and today’s reflection was supposed to be about exactly that but somehow, I got waylaid. What’s new eh?

 

So, to return to the topic after a fun few hours zipping around Phnom Penh by tuk tuk and still managing to clock up almost seven kilometres on foot with incredible shopper Amyssie, we had dinner on the terrace.

 

Another fireworks display timed itself absolutely perfectly with the moment. No sooner had the meal been placed on the table than the first huge boom rang out and light filled the sky. Perfect.

It was great to relax, catch up and philosophise with dear friends, whose ideas and plans give me hope for more justice and equality in our current world.

 

I also need to add that the helicopters continue to fly overhead and the night scenes are significantly better lit and reflect the festivities. I’m grateful I didn’t flee to the provinces as some residents have and miss the atmosphere and energy of this special period in Phnom Penh.

 

Therefore, I shall end as I began:

 

“I LOVE living where we do.”

 

 

oNe PhOtO a DaY OcToBeR 2022:I thought I’d make this whole colour month about creativity.

 

OCTOBER 1st WHITE: the last of the flowers on the Cuban Ginger we brought with us from our garden in Kep.  It is now flourishing on our sunny terrace in Phnom Penh. I thought I’d make this colour month all about creativity, so let’s kick it off with gardening

OCTOBER 2nd BLACK: A quirky take on the guardian lions that usually adorn entranceways here in Cambodia. Street art is definitely a form of creativity I admire

 

OCTOBER 3rd GREEN: Fresh green coriander with an organic, earth-friendly, creative wrapping displayed on all the other greens including knife blade coriander and fresh green pepper corns. I love seeing the traditional ecological packaging returning to the markets now that people are beginning to say no to plastic. Ecological packaging is the creativity connection in this one

OCTOBER 4th RED: The promotion pamphlet for the Asian Documentary film festival I have attended all the screenings of so far. This startling, red sari-dressed bride was from the Indian film “A Night of Knowing Nothing” which was an exceptional insight into both political activism and gender roles in India. The creativity connection is both film making and more especially curating an entire festival. I was saddened to hear last week that the Ikigai Arts Centre will be closing down at the end of the festival 

OCTOBER 5th ORANGE: We are at a hospital getting the second X-ray after Ian’s fall today. Weirdly enough the logo, decor and even folders for notes here are all orange, right down to the original art work on the walls!  For today the creativity connection is oil paintings

 

OCTOBER 6th BLUE: The brilliant blue of the pool and sky contrast and highlight the magnificent architectural design of this  stunning traditional meets contemporary Cambodian home. Design is the creativity connection for today’s shot

 

OCTOBER 7th YELLOW: One of the flowers that always sings “you’re in the tropics” to me, is hibiscus.  They are such sunny happy flowers especially in bright yellow. Truth be told no matter how hard we try none of us matches mother nature’s creativity and diversity

OCTOBER 8th PURPLE: Handmade soap came in this pretty purple container made locally from sustainable local resources. My purchasing decisions are often based on not just the product but also the amount of garbage created, so I cannot bear to waste these eco-friendly wrappings. It along with many others of different sizes, shapes and designs has a second use in our home. My repurposing of the packaging of products is the creativity connection for this one

                    

OCTOBER 9th AQUA: This aqua Chinese style hall table was the big splurge in furniture terms when we moved into our apartment. Though I worried that the colour didn’t fit the rest of the decor I fell in with love it instantly and just decided that it would be an accent piece. In my mind, it certainly is creative to make reproductions of traditional furniture and give it a contemporary twist 

 

OCTOBER 10th PINK: A display of pink Lotuses arranged for a Buddhist altar. There are always both pink and white ones available at the flower vendor stalls in Cambodia. I make a point of always walking through that section of the market. I love to arrange flowers myself, even though I have no particular talent for it. I think florists make creative and inspiring displays and I’ve always thought it would be such calming and satisfying work

 

OCTOBER 11th GREY: The grey Ganesh statue blessing believers is a common icon seen here. This elephant headed god is widely revered as the remover of obstacles and is thought to bring good luck as the patron of arts and sciences; and the deva of intellect, purity, innocence, valour and wisdom. The creative art of stone masonry is alive and well in Cambodia, with whole streets set aside for stone masons to create in a community

OCTOBER 12th BROWN: The exterior walls of the wonderful memorial structure in the garden of the house we are currently staying in. Each panel is individually carved with this repeating motif. Wood carving is a creative artisan skill which is alive and well in Cambodia

 

OCTOBER 13th POP OF COLOUR: This is our dear friend Yary at the iconic Angkor Wat site. Her love of roses is legendary and this is a gorgeous, red, climbing rose from her own garden in Phnom Penh so that’s the perfect pop of colour for a black and white shot in my mind. Photography is the creative pursuit with which I am most enamoured 

 

 

OCTOBER 14th STRIPES: The raised stripe design of the ceramic planter pots in the garden is both simple and aesthetic. Pottery is yet another creative skill for which I have no talent but a keen appreciation

 

OCTOBER 15th FLORAL: This simple hand-sewn, running stitch addition to the floral fabric of a throw rug reminded me of Sashiko, which is a form of Japanese folk embroidery using a variation of running stitch to create a patterned background. It’s actually adding texture as a foreground in this case but it definitely adds a personalised touch. I’m not sure if this qualifies as quilting or embroidery but either way it’s indisputably creative

OCTOBER 16th ONE COLOUR: I’ll make it beige with these beautiful handwoven rattan bangles on bamboo. I’ve long been a big fan of basket weaving and have a huge collection of actual baskets but these asymmetrical elliptical bangles take it to a whole new level.There is so much creativity in weaving rattan 

  

OCTOBER 17th TWO COLOURS: This aerial view of Angkor Wat is printed in silver on a blue linen tea towel and sold by TRUNKH. It’s a graphic almost everyone in Cambodia recognises immediately. (Yes, I know it looks white in this shot and that white is not a colour but it is in fact silver.) Silk screen printing is a creative skill I’ve tried my hand at a few times but not with this degree of success

 

OCTOBER 18th PATTERN: This double-sided, handwoven, woollen table runner from Peru, is our one and only souvenir from the month we spent travelling there. It is now treasured and used regularly as nothing is for special occasions anymore. Today and everyday are the special occasions. Thanks to PAD and this photo I noticed where the tassels were coming unraveled and spent the last half hour re-twisting and re-tying them and have a greater appreciation for the skill that went into making this. Weaving especially an identical double sided pattern is incredibly creative as is the finishing process creating the tassels

 

OCTOBER 19th BLACK AND WHITE: This drawing offset printed on textured paper is of “The White Building”. It has a truly fascinating history and has been the subject of a documentary, photographs, paintings and sketches. I love the details of a hammock, the washing, the mobile food cart, tuk tuks, motos and everyday life. It no longer exists but is fondly remembered. Drawing is a creative pursuit that is well beyond me but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating the skill of others. 

OCTOBER 20th RAINBOW: macramé charm I bought in Bhutan and love. In fact, I bought two as I know myself well enough to know that when the one I immediately hung on my bag breaks, and it will, I will want to replace it. I’m not sure if all knotting is macramé but it definitely handmade and very creative

 

OCTOBER 21st MY FAVE COLOUR: is orange and most of my jewellery is that colour. These Murano glass charms are my absolute favourite pieces and each was bought to commemorate a special event in my life. Designing and creating individual pieces of jewellery is a complex creative process

 

OCTOBER 22nd MATCHING: reversible, placemats and coasters from the incredibly creative TRUNKH collection. These were a most unexpected gift and I love them. Sewing is a skill I simply do not possess, even my Needlework teacher back in high school, in the days when such subjects were considered essential for girls, advised me to stick to knitting and hand sewing and please choose art next year. I took her advice

 

OCTOBER 23rd NATURAL: handmade soap, essential oil and room spray all produced from organic lemongrass in my favourite kingdom. These are my go to souvenirs from Bhutan and I was thrilled when dear friends gifted them to me after returning from Bhutan. Soap making and oil extraction are not only technically challenging skills but also highly creative processes

 

OCTOBER 26th DARK: Hawaiian gourmet, chocolate each with a unique individual taste. Tonight, we will share these with friends and chocolate aficionados and have a chocolate tasting to vote on which island produces the winning dark chocolate. Anyone who doesn’t think chocolate making is creative is just plain crazy

 

OCTOBER 25th LIGHT: sun bleached, drift wood washed ashore by the tide and bearing a sentiment that rings true for me. Seeing such a message when I was thinking exactly that is a testament to someone’s message hitting the mark exactly

 

OCTOBER 26th PASTEL: lotus leaf design made from terrazzo in Wat Ounalom. Terrazzo is flooring I have long admired but I have never seen such creative designs as those in this pagoda

 

OCTOBER 27th BRIGHT: orange hair now that I have put henna in it again. I even got my monthly selfie taken too. Dyeing one’s own hair with a completely natural product qualifies as creative in my book

 

OCTOBER 28th GOLD: stencilled design on the pillars of the main prayer hall at Wat Phnom Poon. I noticed it and many other changes when we visited the little monks of Kep earlier this week. Hand cut and applied stencil designs certainly qualify as creative, especially when they are applied hundreds of times consistently enough for me to have to get very close to know that’s how it was done

OCTOBER 30th MELLOW: Sinn Sisamouth album covers create a mellow vibe in this newly opened coffee shop. The sweet voice of the king of Khmer music also adds ambiance and the owner is a big fan as his tattoo proves. Bringing a nostalgic atmosphere with complimentary decor and music and combining your passions counts as creative

 

OCTOBER 31st DOTS: Those little dots of colour when fireworks explode in the sky. Completely unexpectedly, we saw the fireworks display for the Anniversary of King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day, from our terrace on Saturday night. There is no doubt about the creativity involved in staging a pyrotechnics display and this one was spectacular. The perfect ending to a colour month all about creativity

 

THE PROMPTS

 

Mental Health and me -confessions of a serial writer.

I have always used writing as a way to cope and feel less anxious about current events in my life. It’s like once it’s on paper or these days on my phone, then it’s no longer playing in a loop in my head creating that monkey brain feeling. 

Every so often I come across something I wrote and it blasts me back to that exact time. There is no angst attached and much of what I read has already been completely forgotten and forgiven, however it always reconfirms for me that the simple act of writing it down is a release and a comfort. Most often I reread these scraps about a former me and a situation long ago resolved and discard them but sometimes I hold on to them just for the sheer exhilaration I feel at not only having survived, but having moved on with grace and dignity and largely forgotten those grievances and trials. 

It hasn’t always been that way. There have moments of hysteria and emotional outbursts, and trauma too great to merely subside of its own accord, so the palpable relief of writing has shown me, resilience can be learnt and relief can be achieved. 

I decided to publish this little gem, which I discovered on my phone when a recent update revealed documents I had thought were lost long ago. There is no need to date it and certainly no offence is intended. Quite the opposite, I can now feel proud that I never articulated any of these issues at the time but simply wrote a piece that was entitled “Time to Walk Away”. 

...........It was.......I did. 

 

“I don't want to have my work load increased by 25% by someone who freely admits they don't remember what my load is or doing it. 

 

I don't want to have to respond "I don't know," to students when they ask basic admin questions because so many decisions are made at the very last minute, behind closed doors and never informed to mere plebs. 

 

I don't want to meet deadlines for people who have no respect for my personal time. 

 

I don't want to be constantly told about teamwork while always being isolated from everyone and expected to work independently and then share. 

 

I don't have to feel like a leper.  

 

I don't want to be threateningly reminded about respect, sincerity and integrity without ever feeling I'm on the receiving end of any of them. 

 

I don't want to hear any more empty promises, be impacted by the double standards or have to tolerate those who only play lip service to what has been democratically agreed to. 

 

I don't want to sit through any more meetings with leaders who freely admit that they don't even remember what decisions were made. 

 

I don't want to write any more formal letters to request casual leave or permits or permission only to have to chase the recipient down to get a verbal approval at the eleventh hour. 

 

I don't want any more staff or students to TELL me that I am tutoring them English next term because they need to improve their language skills. 

 

I don't want to hear second hand that I don't smile enough when the person who says it, to a colleague not me, is a big part of the reason why. I smile at every kid I teach and they make me want to smile a lot of the time. Remember sincerity! 

 

I don't want to be told to take it lightly anymore ...... because I don't think that's what teaching is all about. I think you take it seriously and give it your heart and soul, and if you don't, just don't do it at all. 

 

And maybe I don't think I've got it in me to keep working this hard for five and a half days a week anymore. I can't do less so maybe I just won't do this anymore.”