March 11/23 Well, I have survived my first full week of school. I can’t believe I have only been in Phnom Penh for just over 2 weeks and at the school for just over a week. I have been on a steep learning curve figuring out the ropes and problem solving, both at the apartment, the school and learning to navigate Phnom Penh again. My Mastercard has been locked twice, and Duane has had to deal with that. I’m unable to access money, as my bank account is not up and running, and add to that, no wifi on my phone, so some things have been frustrating, and exhausting to deal with. However, there are definitely perks about being back in Asia, in that some things are very easy. There are many great, inexpensive restaurants, pubs and wine bars, many are in lovely settings like gardens or trendy buildings. Massages are inexpensive. I pay $27 for an excellent massage at the hotel. The staff at the school have been amazing and very friendly, and I have been invited out to many events. Transportation is easy in that there is a phone app, similar to Uber, where you order your tuk tuk and they have your pick up point, drop off point and there is the cost shown. It’s not always reliable, as many drivers are not familiar with how the maps work but in theory, it’s good. Paying for things here is also easy. If I go to pay for something at Starbucks, or go to pay for a tuk tuk, a QR code comes up, you scan the QR code, and money comes out of your account, similar to a debit card. People also have their own QR codes, so if I want to transfer money to a friend, I scan her QR code and done. Seems so progressive. I wanted a guitar here so I can practise. I sent a Facebook message to a music store, asked about an inexpensive guitar, and within an hour, a guitar was at the hotel for a $1.00 delivery charge. Now, after a massage, room service and a glass of wine, I’m ready to take on whatever challenges next week has to offer!
5 Comments
Lorenda
3/13/2023 07:43:38 am
Lovely to hear you’re all settled in.
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Janet K
3/13/2023 09:08:23 am
Lots to learn! I’m sure things will seem easier with time. I’d love to hear more about your teaching experiences!
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Bernice
3/13/2023 04:05:58 pm
Now that I’m feeling a bit more settled and into a routine, I can do that. For me, it’s like the first week of school in the middle of the school year with setting up the physical classroom with stationary, etc, my timetable and everything that goes with a new year. More to follow.
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Wendy Davies
3/13/2023 09:56:42 am
The getting a bank account still sounds hard but the ability to use it seems like it's really improved in the last few years. Have you found a place where your hair wash takes 45 minutes with the included massage? ☺️
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Bernice
3/13/2023 04:01:04 pm
I haven’t had to get my hair done yet, but soon. I’ll let you know!
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BerniceAfter being retired for 4 years, an opportunity came up to go back to the Canadian International School Phnom Penh, where I had worked for 2 years before retiring. Of course, I jumped at the chance. Here is where I will be posting the everyday and often mundane events of going back to work and going back to Cambodia! Archives
April 2023
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