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!!!
