me and a boy, who was collecting all the empty beer cans from under the table

It feels a long time now, beeing here in Cambodia. Not that I don't like it anymore, but I must admit, I feel ready for new adventures. And this year will be the year of big decisions and unpatiently as I am, I want everything to happen immediately!
My midwifery applications have been sent and now it is up to crossing fingers and hoping, that I will get a place.
I also completed my IELTS (international english language testing system) in Phnom Penh and got a 7.5, which is more then I ever dreamed of!
Now I enjoy the beauty of this country and try to finish my VSO placement successfully. I still have a few months to go though, until July.

The Wedding season is still in full blast and the other day, Linda, Carol, Rachel and myself gave everything and went especially to a beauty salon here in Stung Treng to get the full make up and hair do. I also wore my new dress which I bought the material for at the market. The tailor did a wonderful job for only 50.000 Riel!

Yes, we are ready for a wedding!

the lovely boys

the bride

Ingran the paediatrician and Jan

Dani and Rachel

smile and say: cheer - moi!

the new stung trengers Thea and Jan from the Netherlands

Linda and Carol

at khmer weddings, the main drink is beer

fortunately we ate beforehand!

The VSO delegation from Stung Treng (some)

next year it will be her own.

Touch on her way to a wedding.

My little Hugsy is getting bigger now and fortunately, after her cat mother abondened her, she found her new best friend in Rambo, who plays gently with her. Rambo and Tilda are big strong boys now who love to run around but also they like the company of humans.

My big boys

Tilda and Rambo

she's so cute!

Hugsy had for a long time a cold

Hugsy likes the sun, like me

When Oli was here, we spend a few days along the river near the Laos border at a place called: Bird sanctuary. We were at my home too, but given the circumstances that we are never really alone there, it was a nice change, having a bungalow to ourselves.

Happy paddling!

the sandy beaches along the Mekong...

and I say, pink is your colour!

from our balcony

This month is also full of other celebrations, for example on the 7th of January we celebrated the Victory over the Genocide regime. In my local pagoda (Wat Luer) was disco and on our way from town, Oli and I got sucked in into a binge drinking party at this pagoda, with my "sisters" and friends from the restaurant where I live. We didn't want to be the fun-break, so we drank a little with them and I even danced for the first time in the crowd of mainly children infront of the big blasting speakers.

this was around 10pm, for Stung Treng really late already

Rek-smey and a 'friend'

Touch and her fiancee, wedding next year!

a cook from the restaurant

ok, we might have some beers as well then...

Peach and a 'friend'

The next day, we had Ban Sum at the market for breakfast and then Oli had to leave again for the North- West.

eating my favourite breakfast, which I could eat every day...

Oli doesn't like Jackfruits, guss why!

and unfortunately the meat stands too...

fresh tofu every day we have!

fresh vegetables, mmhhh

a khmei advert for cigaretts

our Tofu lady in Stung Treng market

Dani, Lindas Translator, got a scholarship to go to Korea. This is a fantastic achievement and most Khmer people only dream of this opportunity. But she made it. So we had a little goodbye party for her.

good luck Dani!

me, Thea, Ingran, Luisa, Ferdi, Linda, Jan, Maria, Dani and Carol

Soon Chinese New Year, Buddhas Birthday and Khmei New Year are coming up. More to celebrate and be happy. Most important, the meeting of the parents and the visit from Doerti and Ines in February. And my 30th in March! It is all very exiting.

I hope that all my friends at home are well. Take good care until I see you next at some point this year!!! x k

written by  katja-horsch on January 25, 2011 from Phnom Penh, Cambodia
from the travel blog: a new year, a new
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