Living it
When I was in the US this summer, working on a computer all day, for some hope I had for a country far across the world, it was sometimes hard to remember what the goals of PEPY were.... why I was working long hours behind a computer and not out enjoying each day..... what were we accomplishing anyway? Now, being here, it's so easy to remember. I think LIVING what you are working is so important. Being in Cambodia, you just need to look outside to remember what you are working towards and why you are here.
For the last 3 weeks of this month the whole PEPY team will be up at the PEPY Ride School. I am really looking forward to bringing Erin, Adam, Maayan, and Doug the school and helping remind them about why they are working so hard here in the PEPY office.
We will be doing thorough interviews of all the students, teachers, and many parents - to better document progress, understand their situation, and better evaluate the needs/shortfalls/successes of our project. I am really looking forward to it :-)
In the meantime, today marks the start of Cambodia's Water Festival Holiday. The river here changes directions once a year, marking the change from the wet season to the dry season. It is the only river in the world to do so I believe.... pretty cool. Oarsmen from around the country are out now on long boats racing across the river front where the King himself is stationed on a royal mount waving signs of approval to the racers. Phnom Penh's population explodes this week - to the point of overcapacity I believe. So many people come in from the provinces, and just sleep on the streets. For many, it is their first time to the city. Cambodia's only escalator, built in a new shopping mall just around the first time I came here, 4 years ago, will have a line down the street. Everyone wants to try the moving stairs, though many people chicken out and jump out of line just before they get on as they are afraid they will get hurt. Quite a site.
Me, I'm heading to the Cardamom mountains with some people from Conservation International, avoiding the chaos of Phnom Penh and being reminded myself of the beauty of this country and why I am here. This will be my first time completely away from a computer for 8 days since..... since the internet was unleashed I believe ;-)
Wish me luck.... and no tigers :-)
For the last 3 weeks of this month the whole PEPY team will be up at the PEPY Ride School. I am really looking forward to bringing Erin, Adam, Maayan, and Doug the school and helping remind them about why they are working so hard here in the PEPY office.
We will be doing thorough interviews of all the students, teachers, and many parents - to better document progress, understand their situation, and better evaluate the needs/shortfalls/successes of our project. I am really looking forward to it :-)
In the meantime, today marks the start of Cambodia's Water Festival Holiday. The river here changes directions once a year, marking the change from the wet season to the dry season. It is the only river in the world to do so I believe.... pretty cool. Oarsmen from around the country are out now on long boats racing across the river front where the King himself is stationed on a royal mount waving signs of approval to the racers. Phnom Penh's population explodes this week - to the point of overcapacity I believe. So many people come in from the provinces, and just sleep on the streets. For many, it is their first time to the city. Cambodia's only escalator, built in a new shopping mall just around the first time I came here, 4 years ago, will have a line down the street. Everyone wants to try the moving stairs, though many people chicken out and jump out of line just before they get on as they are afraid they will get hurt. Quite a site.
Me, I'm heading to the Cardamom mountains with some people from Conservation International, avoiding the chaos of Phnom Penh and being reminded myself of the beauty of this country and why I am here. This will be my first time completely away from a computer for 8 days since..... since the internet was unleashed I believe ;-)
Wish me luck.... and no tigers :-)
Daniela Papi
1 Comments:
It's great to read your blog. Can you post pictures up of your trip? I'm also curious about the PEPY office!! Have you got some up somehere already?
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