Goodbye Cambodia!

As I write this I am actually in Vietnam, but felt a final blog was owed to life in Phnom Penh. Quick reflection on the final month.

As expected it was busy and hectic but a great 4 weeks. Teaching carried on in the usual style, I was back to full days again after Dengue Fever (which I'm pleased to report did not leave any lasting damage!!) In my final week of teaching we were allowed to organise a party for the last lesson on Friday - a challenge most of my classes thankfully took on themselves with great eagerness! My two morning classes consisted of breakfast and games - we had cakes, crisps, sweets, fruit and one student brought in 2kg of toasted rice - a Cambodian tradition! Enough to feed the entire school. The afternoon continued in the same style except this time it was KFC takeaway... Two in a row! My poor stomach felt bruised by the end! I had a lesson in Khmer dancing, thousands of photos taken and received some lovely gifts (sadly most left in Cambodia due to space and weight). My last class in particular were hard to say goodbye to and all have promised to keep in touch via Facebook. On reflection although the job as a teacher was one I never grew passionate about, I loved the students I had and will have great memories of my time there.

Aside of teaching in the last few weeks during the water festival a group of us headed to Siem Reap for 5 days. This is the tourist area of Cambodia boasting the incredible Angkor Wat temple along with many others. On the first day we headed to watch the sunset (sad to say only to miss it by a few minutes!) but the next day we spent the whole day wondering around the temple grounds. They were beautiful - pictures will be uploaded soon. Aside from that we did a cycle tour around the town, visited some local landmarks, went to the night markets and had a few $3 foot massages! It was a great break - Siem Reap in much smaller than Phnom Penh and far more beautiful... But much more Westernised and tourist based.

And so the final weekend! After class parties on the Friday we had a staff and volunteer party at our accommodation on the Saturday. I spent the morning at the local beauticians having a final mani and pedicure, then to the markets to pick up some cheap DVDs to bring home. The party was great and we all received our certificates for the work we'd done. And then time to pack... I'd forgotten how stressful it was! The bus to Vietnam was booked for 7am so it was an early night ahead. Emotional goodbyes followed to all the housemates and off I set Sunday morning onto the next adventure.

It has been an incredible three months of my life spent in Phnom Penh - ones that will stay with me for the rest of my life. There were highs and lows but overall it was an amazing learning experience. Most importantly I met some incredible people and have made friends for life because of it. Now into the final few weeks of travelling! I will write a Vietnam blog in a few days but it has been great so far.

Love to you all - 3 weeks and counting!xx