A quick post from Will...

11-2-08
We have been in Cambodia for a little over three months now. We trained in the district town of Kampong Tralach, but I am sure you are well informed about that already from Stephanie’s postings. We lived with a very nice family in Pouk district for about a month, but recently moved due to the proximity of the house to the national highway. We were under a lot of stress due to the noise from traffic and the incessant construction and how busy the road always was. The rules of driving are not well known in Cambodia because of a lack of driving licenses, so, there is the “Cambodian golden rule of driving,” honk frequently to alert others of your presence. The constant honking is enough to drive a couple that has always lived in quiet neighborhoods insane. It was unfortunate that we had to leave because we did like the family very much. Most often it was Bong Leng, a 54 year old school administration worker, her sister Bong Keng, a 49 year old homemaker and small time cookie entrepreneur, a niece and a nephew. Of course there were always many people coming and going and extra family staying on the weekends. We are very excited about our new house. It is in a quiet neighborhood with a rice paddy on two sides. We have a back entrance to our two rooms and also have a small patio, bathroom and kitchen area. It is very peaceful here. The mother of the family is a midwife at the health clinic in town, the father works at home taking care of the house and tending a large garden, mostly of a vegetable similar to zucchini, which he sells to generate extra income. They have a 14 year old son that also lives here and is very enthusiastic about practicing his English with us. In the yard we also have a mango tree, a lime tree, several coconut trees and a few papaya trees.