Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Zaorla Stardust
Walking to work this morning, I thought about how fragrant the air was. It is true that there are piles of rotting rubbish too but you get used to that very quickly and there was a scent of blooming flowers in the air. The sun was not out and there was a fresh breeze. It was very pleasant. Walking back to work after lunch this afternoon was a completely different kettle of fish. The sun was beating down and the humidity was sky high. I was bathed in sweat (which attracts the mossies) which is a pretty picture!
The dust is extravagantly present. It burns your throat and blinds you. Many people here wear surgical masks as they sit side-saddle on mopeds. Guys don't sit side-saddle and neither do chicken-shit female Westerners. I may have to buy me a mask like that, although it’s the dust in my eyes that bothers me more. They say that it is one of the dustiest cities in
Night is lovely. Breezes and lack of sun! But one has to be careful, because of the poverty and crime. If someone tries to take your bag here, you let them. Many carry guns. And so I won’t get to chase after someone with my hockey stick as in times past. Just let it go, they say. I have a full security briefing tomorrow!
Interesting article on
Monday, January 30, 2006
China Girl
OK so Happy Chinese New Year. It's the year of the dog! I celebrated yesterday by going to my Japanese friend's Singaporean's friend's house and eating delicious spicy fish curry, sticky rice, and an assortment of food that was most impressive (though quite unrecognisable to me). They wouldn't let us leave until all the food was gone so we stayed until nightfall.
Anyway as I'm skipping along to work today, I have to cross the street several times to avoid the dogs (rabies) and the random chickens (bird flu) that wander the streets of the capital. This is one of the major streets as well as being in the posh area. Every time I cross the road is an exercise in oh shitism. The cars honk at every corner and the motodops and tuk-tuks don't follow the rules of the road. In fact no one follows the rules of the road. The thing is to dive in and keep going. Don't stop even if thousands of motodops are bearing down on you. The only way forward is forward.
Job is good.
Weather is hot and humid.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Pretty Vacant
No post yesterday because I left the office in a hurry. Was supposed to meet the estate agent to see houses but wires got crossed and I missed him twice.
Finally got some work done. I created my timetable for the next year. It has pretty fonts and sizes and all the frippery of a 14 year old boyband fan. I spent the morning putting the finishing touches and the afternoon removing all the frills.
I want to talk. As I look at my skype list everyone is offline. I haven't talked properly in ages, except to Padraic - intern in Vietnam - we skype to bitch about weather, food, feeling foreign, Lyons versus Barrys - all very important topics :-) Send me your Skype IDs so I can bug you about beginning work when I am about to go home!
Oh well, Chinese new year is just around the corner. Its the year of the dog and preparations are in full swing. Maybe, like in the year of the chicken, they'll eat all the dogs. Ten percent of the dogs here are rabid so now I cross the street to avoid them. They can run in packs though which makes the walk home somewhat of an obstacle course.
Feel free to comment
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Space oddities
A restless night full of half remembered dreams segued into a surreal day *dramatic sigh*. As night falls I debate the merits of a Diet Coke versus an Angkor Beer while catching my physical journal up to speed (it is currently in November - according to it I am still in Brussels).
Am currently afraid of any flying insect and there are two in the office just now - my mosquito repellent burns but it is better than the alternative.
Going back to the hotel now. I have brought my headset into the office and so will be available for Skyping from 17.00 to 18.00 my time - that it GMT +7 - on most days.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Tell me why I don't like Mondays
Anyway, I had my job description explanation today. They are treating me as a communications officer not intern. It seems like there will not be a lot of supervision but I have to fumble along. My supervisor told me that as the expert I would be able to work alone - OK then that means that I'm in charge of all information and communication for my organisation in Cambodia. My duties are
* Assist in the promotion of volunteerism
* Produce and distribute newsletter, brochures etc
* Work on website
* Set up international GIPA list serv or discussion forum
* Organise and catalogue resource centre
* Update resource centre
* Correspondence including making boilerplates
* Distribute promo brochures appropriately
* Cooperate with other Comm officer for advocacy
* Do other stuff too
A little overwhelmed here - probably due to the heat and humidity :-) also I have the sniffles
Rereading this makes me sound like a grouch - there are great things here too - noodles and cashew nuts for breakfast, air con, and the people around me. Plus I found a place to live that security has approved (provided I change the locks and get a fire extinguisher) so hopefully i'll move in soon. Its only $310 a month and that includes a garden and cable TV! Paying $25 a month for a garden seems a little odd. After all they couldn't remove it if I no longer wanted it.
Also to contradict myself further, that job description seems fine. I am officially no longer overwhelmed (at least for today!). I just reread it and I cannot believe that I thought that was excessive. Nevertheless I shall not delete because it was true at one point in time (a few minutes ago).
I leave you for today - sneezing
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Hot and humid
I went looking at houses to rent today and one of the guys in the office came to act as interpreter - really nice. I found a place that I might move in to. Its a bit pricy at $400 but has three bedrooms and is really near work. Security will have to check it out before anything else of course.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Cambodia
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Going going ...
Anyways I´m ready to go and excited about it! The Irish group have really bonded now and we´re all planning a trip to Zanzibar for R & R. My luggage is well overweight and I´ve more papers than ever but I am looking forward to hours of airplane food. One of the girls is offering Valium for those who desire or require - haven´t decided whether to partake or not.
Got to go repack my suitcase, eat, and try the minibar - such cute baby bottles!
Next stop Cambodia :-)
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Journey begins
So I´m in Bonn, Germany trying to get a grip of a wierd keyboard. The briefing starts tomorrow for my assignment to Cambodia. I´m feeling equal parts excitement and apprehension - too much caffeine and not enough sleep. I packed too much and had to leave my diary and torch behind with Astrid who kindly came to the airport with me. However, I did not have the biggest bag. Victory for me!
Not sleeping well these days but I live in hope of a restful night!
Keep well
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Getting ready to go
The panic is setting in. What if I forget my malaria tablets ... my papers ... if my suitcase is too heavy ... if it gets lost ... if they don't let me into the country?
On the plus side I passed my driving test today. Yes I'm a little older than most applicants but Ireland has a wierd system which involves systematically failing candidates for no good reason. Therefore passing the test is a major achievement for me!
I have so much to do before leaving on Friday and little inclination to do it. All I want to do is watch Apocalypse Now with a few glasses of red wine.
One way or another I'll have to be ready to leave in less than 48 hours.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Blogging in general
Adieu Bruxelles
My new years resolution is to answer letters and emails. Hopefully this blog will fulfill some of those duties.