Just thought it would be an absolute necessity to write to assure you I am safe and sound and to confirm for Granny and Grampa's sake that our accomodation is not a filthy brothel and trixie is in fact a wild but responsable character as opposed to an old creepy man. REST ASSURED. However it has not be far from strange. Yesterday we felt like we were being trafficked as we made our way from Bangkok across the cambodia border. We were endlessly directed to streams of buses and our bags thrown in copious nooks and crannys. Slightly worryingly we handed our passports over initially to the strangest of men with a wadge of money for the visa and were left an hour without them along with a bunch of similarly terrified passengers. After we contemplated what we had just done he vanished in the dust and we had no other choice but to wait. A prawn won ton soup and plenty of terrors later he returned gleaming with a 3 month visa in tow. Quelle suprise! We thought we could then relax. We were so wrong.

Next, we were chartered to a long line of offices to fill in and sign endless forms followed by a 2 hour wait in a queue. Here I could have felt rather suicidal if it wasnt for a hairy spaniard who cracked up conversation and had me blabbering and laughing away until the top. Pea stood in awe as I befriended a man who looked like a criminal on the run but he was CHARMING. And invited me if I was ever ill to the hospital he works in in vietnam. How sweet!
Then after two other buses and a tuk tuk later we arrived to utter bliss. As usual Pea and I were conferring endlessly about how to greet Trixie on arrival and avoid the most awkward of moments, however thankfully she saved us by grabbing us both for a hug. She made us feel at ease instantly and showed us our luxurious rooms equipped with big shower, comfy beds, english tv etc and then shuffling us off to town to meet the other volunteers. She said they were all out partying to wish two guys who had been volunteering farewell. If truth be told, Pea and I felt a piercing pain at the thought that two of the three boys working at global teer were departing. We had ideas they were the chizzled, bronzed bohemian travellers we had dreamt of meeting and therefore felt a piercing pain. However on meeting them we learnt they were a hilarious gay couple. Sad but not as sad if it had been the alternative!

Now dont get me wrong the ladies are WILD. Trixie wears pig tails in her hair, combats and smokes like a chimney, last night even to our horror she took a cigarette out as if to stub it and then sumasaults it in the air, consequently catching it in her lips! Each to their own. She is however the kindest most responsable woman alive and we could not feel safer. She made sure we were safe all last evening and showed us around all the bars, restaurants etc which are sensational! Amazing music, dancing in the street cocktails and bars to match those in mustique.

But dont for a minute think we are just here to lap it up like the stereotypical brits. Instead we had a briefing this morning about our teaching, the etiquette and we learnt some quite horrifying truths about the culture. Its shocking but fascinating to learn about the abuse that these children endure on a daily basis and the lows the women have to go to survive. Prostituion for example is rife however kept low key and women as young as 12 are forced out onto the streets. Not only that but there are tiny children begging 24/7 and people carrying around children which they may have rented for the night to pull the heart strings of local tourists. Can you believe it - renting a baby! Cambodia, and I have only been here a day, but has moved me more than anywhere Ive ever been and the mix of the bustle of tourism and the real poverty is quite something to take in. My eyes have been opened to so much already and I feel on arriving here I could stay for months. I really feel the teaching which starts on Monday is going to be challenging but so so amazing and cannot wait to tell you about all the edible babs. AAAAA cannot wait. Seen too many ones I want to throw in the backpack already!

Now must go the wrist is going, but just want to tell you all I miss you every day but could not be happier. Global teer is magical and just what I have always envisaged the gap year to be. Please midge and pidge read this to Grin and Grimp and tell them I miss them to pieces. Ill forward the link to the M-Ps.

Big hugs and kisses from Cambodia xxx