JULY 1st CURRENTLY LOVING: The new, locally made, linen bedsheets and light fittings we deployed for the first time today. I love fresh bed linen and new and sprayed with lemongrass oil is even better
JULY 2nd MY NAME: written by a generous and dear friend, who not only gifted me this book by a favourite author but also wrote this lovely dedication
JULY 3rd SOMETHING OLD: This is an original wood block print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, I bought in Hiroshima Japan when we lived there. It was the cover of a children’s story book dated 1891
JULY 4th NEIGHBOURHOOD: The view from our back balcony moments before the monsoon showers commenced. This is our neighbourhood and a community of diverse but cohesive and accepting people
* selected for the notable nine
JULY 5th SIMPLE: Possibly one of the simplest forms of transport, the cyclo, is a part of the identity of Phnom Penh. This is also a fabulously simple solution to the mobility issues arising from the relatively new introduction of pedestrian street on Saturday and Sunday nights here. We pondered how those unable to walk the ten blocks for which it extends along the riverside and the two blocks back that no vehicle can access, would be able to participate. The simple solution is let the cyclos in
JULY 6th FAVE CORNER: This magnificent, heritage building houses UNESCO in Phnom Penh and stands on the corner of Royal Palace Park diagonally opposite the palace. It is such a beautifully restored building, which is only open to the public one day a year and I have availed of that opportunity twice now. I often go out of my way to pass the spot and admire it
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JULY 7th BEHIND THE SCENES: In the alley entrance way to our apartment this scene is an everyday occurrence. We call this guy Mr Rice and he cooks up those large pots of rice on charcoal burners three at a time and then delivers them on the back of his motor scooter to many of the street vendors in our neighbourhood. He returns with empty pots after every delivery and starts the process all over again for 8-10 hours a day. For him, like many other families who sell street food in this community, including the woman in the background, it’s a way of life. He always has a smile and a greeting when we pass by and ensures residents, motor scooters and deliveries have the access they need
JULY 8th A LIST: of blessings for Chinese New Year which I wrote and translated so our dinner guest on that occasion could each select a red envelope with not money but a blessing for the year ahead in it
JULY 9th THANKFUL FOR THIS: frequent flier friend, who comes to visit often and is always such good fun. Welcome back Barry
JULY 10th MY BAG: is an authentic artwork by Ruth Napaljarri and depicts the Green Budgerigar Dreaming of central Australia. She belongs to the Warlukurlangu Artists group and receives royalties from the sales. It was a birthday gift and has become an absolute favourite shopping tote
JULY 11th CURRENT VIEW: We just checked into our accomodation on M’Pai. Third time staying here and the view is a big part of the attraction. Even in the monsoon season this place is peaceful, calm and quiet
JULY 12th A QUIET MOMENT: under the old pier at low tide this morning but in reality island life in the monsoon is mostly a collection of quiet and quieter moments and that’s why we came
JULY 13th CONTRAST: Rocks and sand, black and white, land and water- plenty of contrast and a stunning empty beach to enjoy
JULY 14th A TOUCH OF BLUE: The best coffee on the island came with a touch of blue when I ordered latte
* unbelievably this one was selected for the Fab Four on Facebook
JULY 15th WHERE I SIT: on the terrace for almost every meal. This was just before consuming breakfast this morning. In every season and often at other times too it is the coolest and most comfortable place, to say nothing of being the only dining table we have
JULY 16th PEEKING THROUGH: After a monsoon downpour the sun was peeking through the clouds in the still dark sky
JULY 17th SOMETHING CIRCULAR: The circular inset in the wall of our apartment inspired the purchase of the giant steamer tray and then it provided a cool backdrop and easy hanging for some very special art we purchased from a dear friend who is an artist in Bhutan
JULY 18th FROM ABOVE: The city of Phnom Penh taken from our favourite sky bar
JULY 19th SOMETHING FOUND: This artisanal syrup is something I often purchased when we lived in Kep and when we visited a month ago I saw it again but didn’t buy any and instantly regretted it. Today we returned to Kep and it was my first purchase. Mocktail mix for Arid August perhaps ….
JULY 20th WORN: The weather worn platform that used to be a picnic spot in the mangroves but these days I think it might be a bit of a danger zone
JULY 22nd MIRROR: Playing around with the wall of hexagonal mirrors in a favourite hotel after a head shave and haircut yesterday in Kampot
JULY 23rd IN THIS MOMENT: After table tennis and swimming I’m enjoying a Khmer frozen coffee and chill time
JULY 24th SOMETHING I BOUGHT: for my snail mail project - lots of postcards and greeting cards. I’m currently on an anti consumerism bent so purchases of clothes, household items and non consumables are out, until the end of the year. We shall see if I last the distance. Just my way of stepping outside the rat race for a while. I do enjoy setting myself these challenges to keep me living in the present more mindfully
*this shot was selected for the Fab Four on Instagram
JULY 25th UNEXPECTED COLOUR: I spotted these bamboo shoots in the local market. Although when bamboo is growing there are several combinations of colours and stripes, I’ve never seen cooked bamboo shoots that weren’t all yellow before
July 26th MADE ME LAUGH: The individual in one of the the guard houses, which are supposedly there to protect the occupants of the Royal Palace, soundly sleeping as we strolled by in the middle of the day. To be fair I don’t think it is actually one of the guards just someone availing of some shade and in need of rest
JULY 27th HIDDEN GEM: I frequently lament the lack of live theatre here and yet just around the corner from where we live I spotted this live venue I have never noticed or seen advertised before now! It’s the hidden gem I need to investigate and support soon
JULY 28th CHASING LIGHT: All day today it has been overcast and grey which means much cooler so I’m not complaining, but I was literally chasing the light for a glimpse of the sun on our evening stroll
JULY 29th FLAT LAY: Every day the market vendors, who squat behind their produce in stalls and out in the open create flat lays that are their advertising. Today this one caught my eye when I decided to go looking for a flat lay instead of designing one for this prompt
JULY 30th FOLDED: Everything that makes its way into the cupboard that serves as linen press is folded to fit the space available
JULY 31st SHADOWS: When we were in Battambang about a month ago we saw a performance by Phare Circus called Rouge. It opened with this scrim and shadows depicting the horrors of the Pol Pot era in Cambodia. Of their many performances I have seen, this was the most unsophisticated but also most powerful
PROMPTS
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