Day 62 - Globalteer introductions and finding my feet

The crazy streets of Siem Reap, but a city I already appreciate.

Day 62 - 24th August

A little paradise in the suburbs.

That pool is one of my new best friends.

This is the sort of place Jordy would have booked us into. Happy days.

Pancakes were the breakfast choice of the day and then I had to head to Globalteer for my placement. The Tuk Tuk took me to BouvSavy guesthouse, a cracking little place in the north of the city, around six kilometres from Angkor Wat. This place has a pool, great staff, big private rooms and is really close to the Globalteer office.

Dave, the guesthouse assistant, checked me in. A friendly chap who told me not to get too comfortable as I'd be moving into a better room the next day. I like this place already.

At 2pm, I met another Dan who is working at the trailblazers project, creating and inputting water filters. He was on summer break from his chemical engineering degree at university and saw this as an opportunity to get some experience (or so his parents told him).

Just after two, our volunteer coordinator, Rebecca came to meet us and we begun our orientation at the office. There was so much to take in: the rules of working with children, the itinerary for each week, the ways to engage with children, ways not to favour an individual child, how to encourage, how to help them progress, showing them how to respect each other and so on. I felt a little out of my depth, worrying about how I could approach this. I'm no teacher, I'm a clown!

I was introduced to Charlie, the Sports Manager and Vith, the Khmer (Cambodia Language) teacher. Both were great guys and provided me with more information. Vith, an early twenties guy, said he'd be teaching me Khmer in the weeks I was volunteering. An exciting prospect.

Rebecca took us out and around Siem Reap to give us a feeling of our new home - mine for the next 9 weeks. The local parts of the city are fantastic with great restaurants and amenities. I was already looking forward to discovering the place.

Globalteer rented me a bike to get around and then I was told I'd start tomorrow.

I met Sèbastien for dinner and he told me all about his time at Angkor Wat. His pictures were amazing and I couldn't wait to get there myself. Maybe the weekend would present an opportunity.

I can Thali-ly contain myself. Taxi for Dan?

We visited Dashkin's, notoriously known as the best Indian in Siem Reap. I was glad to have tried a meat Thali there. It was exquisite. As per usual, I dropped the curry in my lap - it must be the etiquette and pressure of eating in a restaurant that makes me turn into a loof and drop at least a fork or spoonful in my lap.

I showed Sèbastien my new home and gave him back his suit. We had a bittersweet farewell and thanked each other (like bros) for so many laughs and great times. I'm going to miss him!

I went to bed, excited to start my placement. What a life I have right now! I know - lucky bastard right?