First week in Surin and Cambodia

The rest of the week consisted of some physiotherapy combined with school trips and fun sessions! The 4 of us were split in to pairs, and 2 stayed at the school to see the children there, and the other 2 went out to see children in their own homes as part of an Outreach program. The Outreach program was amazing - such an eye opener. We saw a few kids who have never been able to walk, but with some help from us and exercises etc it may be possible! One of them was given a splint for her wrist when she was younger but the importance of it was never explained, so she's never made much improvement. She was lucky she was even given a splint, as we've now encouraged her to use it so can make some progress, but most of the kids would benefit so much from some medical equipment which is just not available to them. Makes me realise how lucky we are in England - as most of these kids would be walking by now if they'd had the same resources available!

On Thursday the school decided we needed a day off (as we obviously work so hard the other 3 days!!) so we all went on a school trip! We went to the National Museum of Surin and some temples, then went back to the school to attempt to clean out their mini pool which we may be able to use for hydrotherapy. That basically meant we could play around in a pool whilst sunbathing! Although we managed to clean it, it's still pretty rusty so next week we're going to try and get some swimming pool paint to sort it all out, so the kids can use it for therapy (obviously we're only doing it for the kids, it's got nothing to do with the fact that we'll be able to go swimming)!

After a hard week of work (or not!) we decided to treat ourselves and take a trip to Cambodia to go and see Angkor Wat. We got to the border, and got very ripped off by taxis (with no choice but to pay) and set off on a 4 hour journey down to Siem Reap. This journey was such an experience in itself! Basically thin, clay, extremely bumpy roads with potholes down a mountain, in a small crappy little car which almost got stuck at several points. In england even the tractors would struggle with this ground, especially during the rain, and there was even an overturned small truck, yet the taxi drivers skillfully made it through and got us to Siem Reap safely. I'll try and put photos up, but they don't really do it justice, you have to see it to believe it!

Once in Cambodia, we decided to get up early (4.30!!) and go to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. It's supposed to be absolutely amazing, and I'm sure it would have been but unfortunately the whole sky was covered with clouds so we barely saw anything! However being up that early meant we could go round the majority of the temples and be finished by 10.30am and have the rest of the day to get massages and relax! That night we went to the famous Angkor What? Bar, and had a few merry drinks, then up early again for the drive home! Felt like a short trip, but we managed to pack loads in and had a really good weekend. Even managed to get a roast on Sunday night when we got back to Surin!

Just started the next week of work, and I've already fallen in love with a 2 year old boy who I'll definately be trying to sneak back with me!!

Lots of love to everyone,
NamPung (My nickname in Thai which I was given by the staff at the school - it means Honey!)