A Cambodian Tale

I'm only writing this post out of a sense of duty and slight foreboding.The scaremongers have been out in their droves recently mainly because the security situation seems to be becoming far more unstable and stories of crime are on the increase.
Just last night there was an apparent shoot out on Norodom Boulevard(one of the main thoroughfares in the city)involving what was described as a "spectacular SUV" and a "grubby motorcycle".......spectacular not being a word I would use,but I digress,and through an ex-pat site that I'm registered with,I read various accounts of sustained gunfire,basically because the guy in the SUV was pissed off that the "grubby" motorbike had dared to infringe on his right of way.It turns out that the driver was the son of a very high ranking police official and in the words of the local upholders of the law "they wouldn't dare speak to someone from that family"!!
A fairly typical situation,but one that seems to be on the rise.People being robbed at gunpoint even by your tuk-tuk driver is now prevalent,and just the other night a woman was involved in a motorbike drive by bag snatch outside my digs.Worry not,as I always use the same drivers and they know me,and I know them.Bags are also something I tend to leave at home.
Blimey,I do sound negative.It all adds to the fun and anyway,I always felt far more apprehensive at kicking out time on a Saturday night in Acton.
Not much else to report,apart from the fact that I am missing the UK in more ways than I thought and that I have been feeling under the weather,but then what's new.Probably got a parasite in me somewhere,so I'm rattling at the moment due to pill intake.

I journeyed back to Cambodia last Tuesday/Wednesday with the usual mix of apprehension and excitement.The trip was fairly routine except for one notable exception.On arrival at Kuala Lumpur Airport at 5.00 a.m. local time having come from the UK,we were all shepherded into a cordoned off area.Now,on the flight over it had been made apparent that Malaysia was in full panic mode over swine flu,and we had an extra form to fill out......"were we feeling feverish?","had we come into contact with anyone with symptoms?" and "did we have a particular penchant for bacon?"...that sort of thing.All passengers were met with faceless bureaucrats(literally as they were all wearing face masks)and medical staff in the obligatory white coats and herded into an international departure lounge that had been converted into a temporary medical center.
After a 12 hour flight I would defy anyone to be feeling tip-top and the chances that your readings would be slightly haphazard is fairly certain,but then I'm no Dr.Kildare.
Anyway,I was ordered to take a seat and surrounded by screens and people rushing around as though their lives depended on it,had a thermometer shoved in my earhole.
"Slightly elevated"I was told.
"Are you feeling shivery?" I was asked.
"In this heat,you've gotta be kidding"I replied.
I was given some leaflets on what to do if I started routing around for truffles and was sent packing.I didn't have the energy to say that I was in transit and would be on my way soon.

Strange atmosphere in Phnom Penh at the moment.Although realising it is low season,I was amazed on Saturday night to see so many empty bars,and a level of quietness that I haven't witnessed in some time.Maybe I just caught a duff night,but it all seems unusual.Apparently,many ex-pats are leaving as NGO's are letting people go due to lack of funding.I guess if the sponsorship isn't there then that's it.Property prices have fallen by up to nearly 40% and even the rental market is a lot,lot cheaper now.
Hell,I've only been away for 5 weeks,although have only spent one week here in the last 10 so with the onset of the rainy season and other happenings I guess much could have changed in that time.I've also arrived during loads of public holidays(Royal Ploughing Ceremony,Kings Birthday etc.)which is a tad inconvenient,but never mind.Getting an apartment will be easy enough,a job on the other hand could be more problematic!!Still a new CV is being readied,photos will be taken(everyone always wants a photo)and the internet has been scoured and after the hols I hopefully will have people to see.
Now,if only I can get some sleep!!!

You see I really do miss all things British particularly when it comes to a lack of reality TV and thought that requires the use of brain cells.I have been accused of a lack of patriotism,forsaking my closest friends and acting like the Anthony Blunt of modern times. Far from it as treading the old roman paths of "ye olde England" has given me a new found appreciation for anglo appreciation.
I only have 2 days left now before leaving for sweaty old Cambodia and having spent a great deal of time surrounded by family and friends I can only say that tears are apparent and that Yasmin gets more adorable every time I see her. I do worry that at 4 years old my niece will see me as a fleeting memory in her pink and yellow world and that Josh my 6 year old nephew will hate me for leaving after having introduced him to the laser game which involves forcefields,swords and " booby games" that mean that my sisters bras are flung in my general direction..... yes my niece and nephew are officially strange.

I do look forward to my South East Asian return and all the strange circumstances that surround it, but a mixture of feelings arise and I love to wallow. Said goodbye to Drew and Jill yesterday and I felt somewhat strange and a little guilty....... am I taking them for granted? They have looked after me so well,fed me and put up with all my wittering and we said goodbye on quite a low key moment. Not that I'm one for teary farewells, but I felt that D and J deserved more, so I say now in the presence of the digital super highway, if you ever stay in Brighton, East Sussex,England look up Jill and Drew as they will treat you fabulously.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what to do whilst sitting in an airport for six hours, I welcome all ideas. I only say this as my Ian Rankin book will only last for so long and the airport at Kuala Lumpor is currently a building site. Well there we go..... purely selfish,nothing that enhances human kind....... just my traveling difficulties, but they're mine...ALL MINE!! I look forward to tomorrow as we are watching films all chosen secretly whilst nibbling on junk food and coiffing fine wine. My film is " Black Windmill" starring Michael Caine and as far as I know the only major production to mention Hassocks, the small village where I grew up.
Take care and give me some shorts.