Day 120 - The grand finale!

Going to miss this old place.

Day 120 - 21st October

My last day of actually coaching and four months since I left home! I had to make it one to remember.

Project C has many great memories for me, with it being my first ever project I attended and the way the kids warmed to me and made me feel welcome.

The day started with high bursts of energy from DK, the kids and I. Starting as we meant to go on. The sun was roasting again but I ignored it and did my warm up drills with the eight students in the first session. They were great.

The second session followed suit with the first and the time flew by to lunchtime where I had my normal noodles and DK had his scheduled nap. I wish I could do the same but I just can't nap. I get grumpy and do not want to get up afterwards. No way, Jose!

The afternoon brought the most fun, the kids going wild for DK's warm up and games. They really respect him and why wouldn't they? In the second session, I took the games with the kids needing to dress up in bibs and cones before exercising. Again the kids giggled and yelled encouragement to their teammates, desperately wanting to finish first. 

What a way to sign off!

The evening was spent packing up my stuff in preparation for my departure on Monday. Normally I leave it until a few hours before I'm due to check out but this time I need to be on the ball ready for my big journey to Laos (I'm still undecided on whether to fly or not).

I realised from a cardboard tag that I've been wearing women's football socks this whole time. Who'd have thought, huh? Well at least I'm in touch with my feminine side. 

Di and I exchanged stories over dinner before heading back to Bou Savy.

Thanks once again to Project C for all your help in making this an awesome experience. I shall never forget it.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 119 - Project B, it's time to say goodbye

How could you not love working with these kids? What an experience.

Day 119 - 20th October

Another day of saying goodbye. It's not as easy as I thought, some of these kids are so much fun and their personalities I will miss the most. You get the dominant ones, the timid ones, the giggly ones, the grumpy ones and the carefree ones. All together they give you a great mix as a volunteer and you really don't know what personalities you're going to draw on a week to week basis. It's like a milder form of Russian Roulette.

DK was absent on a personal matter for the morning so Srey Mom and I headed out to Project B to take the lessons. I almost injured myself after the first lesson, squatting down to fast and feeling a pull in the back of my hamstring. Straight away I panicked, knowing our final is coming up on Thursday so I let Mom take the second lesson whilst I lightly assisted.

By the afternoon, DK was back in business and we had one lesson instead of two as we've seemed to have had in the last three weeks. The kids were great again and come the end of the lesson, I was swarmed with hugs and high fives. This is why you volunteer, for moments like this.

It was sad walking away and Sophy, one of the teachers, bid me farewell and good luck. Later on I discovered the Project had posted a thank you to me on their Facebook page. A nice and welcome surprise.

I had a quick dinner before headed out to football. We picked up another 13-6 victory, I scored two, took a goalkeepers studs to my knee and gained two blisters from the boots I am borrowing from Yanni and Pommers. Thicker socks are required for Thursday!

Another day gone and now I know I've only got one full day left which is tomorrow at Project C. Another holiday on Friday for French Peace Day means I won't be going to Project D again to teach. It's sad but I will be going to see them for a flying visit on Thursday so that's something.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 118 - Final week, it's going to be sad!

I look about ready to fall!

Day 118 - 19th October

It's a weird feeling thinking I only have one more week here. I can remember talking to people back home about my travelling and I always spoke so much of the nine weeks I'd be spending in Cambodia, sports volunteering with kids. It seemed like a distant project on the horizon and as I travelled around in the two months prior to it, it was always more than a few weeks away.

Here I am now, eight full weeks down and one to go. This has been one of the more awesome and more importantly educational experiences of the whole trip. Seeing and experiencing Khmer life for longer than a few days in one place has really shown me the kind and generous nature of the Khmers who have so little they can afford but so much that they can give. They always want to learn English and I always love to talk so we've gone hand in hand. So much so I'm now poised to pick up a job here next March. I can't wait.

As per our usual Monday's we had the morning off so I had breakfast and looked at some places in Laos I'd like to visit. Aside from the capital city, I aim to visit Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang in addition to Paske, if I fly. It looks like a hell of a country so I can't wait to visit before my move to Chiang Mai just under two weeks later.

At 11am, I met with Charlie and DK for our weekly sports meeting and we discussed the topic of the environment as our talking point this week using Rugby as the sport. It's going to be a busy last week and I'm going all out for the finish.

DK had his vocabulary tt with me and gain 10/15 so I was really proud of him. Our lessons will continue in the form of email as I carry on travelling and he's started university now for two years to achieve his English teaching dream. He's going to make it, I sure of that!

In the afternoon, we went to Project A and tested out new games. Similar to the big drop game that we'd created a few weeks earlier, this time the kids had to balance the rugby balls on the cones whilst an attacker knocked them off. The message was that no matter how much they cleaned up, others who didn't care would always come along and make more mess. Only together can they keep the environment clean.

I was pleased this was the teaching for the week given this was the biggest issue I had with Cambodia when I first arrived. The amount of rubbish here is unbelievable and if they want the countrysides and cities to continue attracting people they need to clean up and stop littering.

In the even, I went out to suss out more bus tickets to see if I could get a lower cost and I had dinner in  my usual place.

One day down, four to go! Crap!

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 111 - Lucky 11 strikes again, with an extra one added for good measure

It could be writing imitation or Tommy Cooper's 'Just like that.'

Day 111 - 12th October

And it's finished! Yep, the novel is completely edited and ready to go to my fourteen (it was once ten) volunteers to read and comment for me. Guys, be gentle!

My lucky 11 saw me through again and it was nice to have achieved my goal before the chilled out week ahead.

Lisa from Globalteer stopped by over breakfast and was filling me in on her latest - a virus had corrupted her laptop, which I did not manage to fix, her parent's were flying in to visit her and she was feeling blue about having to go back to the UK in a little over a fortnight. The only thing I could offer was lame jokes and my future travel plans - sorry matey!

A little later, Becca from Globalteer dropped in with the newest volunteer from New Zealand. I had to really hold back singing 'Chain Reaction' when they told me her name was Di Ross. Apparently first impressions are key. God, why do you put me in these situations! You know I'm going to balls up.

Anyway, we exchanged stories and I learned a few things:

- New Zealand are better than England at Rugby (I already knew but as soon a rugby was mentioned, I knew the tension in my back was notifying me of what was coming)

- Di has a gluten intolerance (No soy sauce, no bread, no way!)

- She is a 68 year old grandmother who loves travelling (what a legend!)

I went to the offices to use a computer and had to save resident kitty, Pablo from six stray dogs trying to maul him. I think Pablo could have kicked their asses but it wasn't worth the 6-1 odds.

We had dinner in Bou Savy, the opportunity to run out to get dinner in the rain with the high chance that nothing was open, just to turn around and come back and have dinner was something I didn't fancy.

It turned out to be a great experience, learning about the places Di had visited and she gave me some ideas for kids books, drawing on the experiences with her grandchildren.

I bid Di goodnight and headed to bed. We were heading out with Becca and Jen in the morning to go to Tonle Sap Lake and a hill top temple. It beats kicking around the pool all day!

Day 108 - End of week and then vacation time!

Time to teach again!

Day 108 - 09th October

So the final day of the working week before the Pchum Ben festival begins.

The day was hot but I was looking forward to teaching our last day of volleyball. We headed to Project D and set up our first few lessons with lots of free playing, games and just good fun. The kids were tired by the end so we knew we were doing something right.

Huok (sounds like Hulk), one of the teachers was talking to me about the differences in Cambodia compared to England. He was curious to know what we do, how we study at university (hadn't a clue, I've never been) and how we live our social lives. One thing I have learned here in Cambodia and that's that the people are very family orientated. Everything they do is for the good of their parents and siblings, which is always great to see. Sometimes though it makes me feel a little sympathy because so many don't dare to dream or try something for their own good. I totally respect what they do for family but it makes me wonder how unfulfilled they might be deep down.

Anyway, as things were going well, we taught our final two lessons of the morning in the same fashion as the previous two. They kids whacked volleyballs about and whacked each other if they did something wrong in the group (in a playful way of course).

At lunch, I tucked into a noodle soup before heading back to the office for pick up to go to our four afternoon sessions. And then it happened, again. Everytime DK and I get together in the afternoons, it rains! Without fail!

So the rest of the afternoon was spent teaching on and off and mostly standing beneath a shelter talking to Huok. Again we covered ground on social differences between our countries, his plans for Pchum Ben and teaching techniques (don't ask why he asked me, he must have thought I knew what I was doing).

By the evening, I'd settled in with a curry and Meet the Fockers on Fox Movies. To be honest, I was knackered after the day so didn't want anything heavy.

By the time it finished, I was face down in a pillow, gone to the world! I am getting old.

Day 107 - Quiet before the storm

Why not?

Day 107 - 08th October

Just another Thursday but this one came with a hangover! Yeah, I'd had one to many beerios last night but had fun in spite of my morning tiredness and burning in the stomach!

I headed down for breakfast and then relaxed, organising my visa for Australia and just reading up on news. Good to hear that something is finally being done with the crooks at FIFA. Better late than never!

At 1pm, the sports for social impact meeting had been cancelled so I had a Khmer language lesson with Vith. We exchanged words before I gave him some English tips for his university dissertation. He's a great guy, always willing to learn and be constructive. As with DK, he has a bright future ahead of him!

After trying to crack the password to my sitcom for the thousandth time, and failing AGAIN, I headed back to Bou Savy and psyched myself up for the big game. I had nerves, I don't know why but I wanted to win this game so badly so we could reach the playoffs.

When we first started playing my legs were like jelly and I felt light headed but once I settled, it was just wave of adrenaline after wave of adrenaline. All my flicks were coming off, my passes were making the man and my shots were on target.

We ended up winning 11-0. Charlie and I scored three each whilst Nico shifted 4. All round it was a faultless performance and great to be a part of. Up the Willies!

As The Four Seasons said, 'Oh What A Night!'

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 106 - It's all about stamina on Wednesday and Don's birthday

Ah, the fun and games!

Day 106 - 07th October

Wednesday means all day at Project C. It's such a great place, an hour away from Siem Reap and I love going out to volunteer with these kids. Of course all the kids are great but this project has a real village vibe to it and I like that.

The morning consisted of only one session so by 10:30 we had a two and a half hour slot to feel. Of course I did some editing whilst DK learned some more English. You could say it's two guys working on their passions, or not! It depends how you think really.

My lunch and writing.

DK's fish was tasty.

DK and one of the teachers took a nap whilst I continued to walk and be badged by the local dogs. They saw my leg as a licking post which had me gently shooing them away before we did the whole act all of over again three minutes later.

Somewhere in there is a teacher!

The afternoon saw us really testing the older kids, having them keep the volleyball off the ground in every game. Any dropping was penalised with ten squats or push-ups. They don't tend to push up and down with their arms, instead opting to push their pelvises into the ground and back up again. It's quite comical to say the least.

On the hour's journey back, DK and I were sitting in silence, tired and worn out from a long day in the sun.

But night was just beginning. It was Don's birthday (Don being a volunteer from Project B). He'd kindly invited me along to his 50th at the Triangle Club and I met some old faces from Project B, a team mate of mine from Big Willy F.C and some new faces from Australia and The Netherlands.

We sat for a good five hours, enjoying beers, eating cake and helping Don celebrate in style. He bought all the beer and wine and everyone dinner so it was so cheap! Thanks Don.

We all gravitated to Pub Street and The Temple Club for dancing. By then, Don was done and dusted but he kept up the celebrations to the end. Top man.

I made my way back to Bou Savy, walking I might add, doing the fifteen minute journey with 15 or so beers inside me and crashed out.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 105 - Fail does not appear in my vocabulary!

DK's on a roll!

Day 105 - 06th October

So day two in the week sees us go out to Project B for the day, only coming away from it for a few hours at lunch.

As always, this is a fun environment to be in and the kids always work hard and enjoy our games. I warmed them up with cone related games before DK and Srey Mom taught the lesson and recapped on the last five weeks.

Organising the teams.

The sun came out to play too and I chose to embrace it rather than complain about it. First time for everything aye? 

By lunchtime I was dripping with sweat but I enjoyed a chilled out noodle lunch before heading over to teach DK some more English. This time he was on the money again, ready to learn new vocabulary and pronunciations. I could tell he was nervous about his upcoming exam on Thursday I took to fixing his Skype for him so he didn't have something else to worry about.

He's going to do great, I know he will. He just needs to focus!

In the afternoon, we had a merged session and replayed the same games as we had before with the morning class. Once again, I was left panting and sweating but I never get sick of it.

By the evening, a friendly had been arranged with some Khmers at Samkee. It was a spiky affair, with a couple of the other team members putting in late tackles and elbows to our faces. Dave and I got a little riled and refused to back down but in the end we were narrowly defeated by some lucky deflected goals.

Ah, Big Willy F.C. - like the Tottenham of the Khmer league!

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 104 - I normally don't like Mondays, but in Cambodia, I love 'em

Time to dance!

Day 103 - 05th October

A quiet morning was followed by meetings with Charlie and DK. We discussed the freedom of choice and how DK and Vith would try to help their country. Their responses were interesting with both wanting to look out for the best of the Khmers, naturally.

After a short lunch, I returned to teach DK English. I'm pleased to report he managed 100% on five examples with irregular verbs, connections and plurals. His English is really improving with each lesson so it's always good fun to teach him.

We headed out to Project A, ready for the week's first activities. The kids were little so we couldn't ask about what they had learned in the last five weeks. It just doesn't happen! Instead we played games with them hopping, skipping and running around. They laughed and screamed and we all got involved.

After two, hour sessions, I went back to Bou Savy to see Johannes off. The rain came as it always does and flooded the ground below the first floor lounge area where we enjoyed a beer together. 

I left for the Khmer Cafe and had a burger and pancakes. All for $6. Gotta love it. When cycling back, I heard a familiar tapping sound coming from my bike and sure enough, there was my second flat tyre in under two weeks. Nuts!

I'd have to get Moeuth to help me fix it in the morning. It was definitely bedtime.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 101 - Ready, Set, NGO! and Yoga Bear. Trust me, it's no picnic!

Love that noodle soup for brekkie.

Day 101 - 02nd October

The noodle soup for breakfast was a nice start to the day along with a little book editing.

DK was back but looked exhausted. When we were in the Tuk Tuk he was not his usual self. He was quiet and subdued.

When we arrived at Project four he went to sit down and was asleep within minutes. Poor sod. So I took all four morning sessions, which was a challenge to say the least. It's fine giving instructions but doing it in limited Khmer and trying to assist the kids was difficult. But hey, I had fun.

The kids having fun with another volunteer.

In the third session, the older kids were, well, just being kids basically. When asked to stand in line they refused. When I asked them to play a game, they wandered off. My solution - let them get on with it. And it seemed to work well. I played with the four or five kids that wanted to play and the others chased around and played volleyball. Everyone was happy.

When I returned to Bou Savy, I went for a 30 lap swim and some noodles. Charlie called to say DK had gone home sick - get well soon brother.

So in the afternoon I went to a new project, Project 5 with Srey Mom and her little girl. Man that little one is adorable.

Project 5 was a nice place, much bigger than all the others. The students were well behaved and enjoyed lessons with Srey Mom and myself. We had them running around and laughing whilst they chased each other down. Before I knew it, two hours were up!

Yeah, I can do Yoga, just about.

I had a couple of hours to do some editing before I went to the Siem Reap Hostel for a Yoga class with Globalteer's very own, Lisa. After an hour of twisting and turning, I was ready to escape, despite being taught well by my teacher! I just haven't the skill or flexibility for the Yoga game.

Afterwards, it was bucketing down and when I say bucketing, I mean literally streams flowing down the streets of Siem Reap. I went to my new spot for cheap eating and had more pancakes (seriously, I think I need to get into rehab for this), just waiting for the rain to pass.

And then I had to succumb to the inevitable. It wasn't going to stop raining and I had to purchase a 50¢ poncho. The only positive was it was in my favourite colour so I didn't mind too much looking like the ugly brother of little red riding hood cycling down the street.

Back at Bou Savy, I was nice and dry and feeling good about myself. A nice hot shower relaxed me and then I headed off to bed, ready for a day out with Mr Mut to the reservoir in the morning.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 99 - Lunch on the job!

I'll never get fed up with this place!

Day 99 - 30 September

It's suppose to be wet season, so why is there all this sun? I suppose I shouldn't complain. Only a month ago I was moaning about the amount of rain I'd been subjected to in China and Vietnam. Sun is good, sun is good. No more moaning about it.

I packed my lunch up ready for the day at Project C. The bumpy road leading us there kept me wide awake after my restless night's sleep. I dreamt something bad had happened to my dad and it was so real, I woke up in a real panic. I even text my dad to make sure he was OK! It's funny how dreams do that.

The morning session went really well, although DK told me my fifteen minute warm ups were getting shorter - I was finishing them in seven minutes or less without even realising. This has now been noted and I will have those kids hopping and skipping around for a good fifteen minutes.

The kids ran around in the sun, laughing and pushing each other innocently which brought smiles to mine and DK's face. By the time lunch rolled around, we were well and truly ready to eat!

I had pork noodles, vegetable crackers and a banana whilst DK had his mum's homemade pork and rice.

The afternoon session were taught out in the glorious sunshine (see, I'm trying to be positive about the sun) and the kids had DK and I laughing multiple times. All in all, it was another great day out.

By the end of the day, DK and I were done!

The view from the cafe moments before the heavens opened.

You see!

I headed out to my new favourite spot, the Khmer Cafe 168 for some Lok Lac and a delightful stack of banana pancakes. I wouldn't have had dessert had it not been for the rain that had me pegged back and unable to cycle back. It was bucketing down.

This addiction is down to my Vietnam group who got me hooked on these in just three weeks! Thanks guys!

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 97 - New week, new missions

I'm rolling around Siem Reap on this new baby. She's a smooth ride.

Day 97 - 28th September

A change, I'm back on the banana pancakes for breakfast. I've missed those round waffles of magic. The side of pineapple also makes me feel better for having a portion of fruit with it (the banana inside the pancakes doesn't count because it's dowsed in syrup).

Our weekly sports for social impact meeting saw us continue with the sport of volleyball but move on to a new child right - freedom. Such an important right as well for so many kids in Cambodia.

We were given the new game by Charlie to set up a giant square with one attacker in the middle. The attacker had to spike a ball waist height or below into the other kids trying to escape. When they were hit, the kids would have to cover their mouths so they couldn't call for help. This effectively takes away their freedom to move and seek assistance when needed.

We would then introduce a person who could 'untag' them by high fiving them when they called out for help. giving them back their freedom to play. We would follow this up with a question to see if they understood the message.

More warm ups.

So in the afternoon, Project A were our test run. They handled it well and seemed to pick up the message fairly quickly in the first session. The second session was full of smaller children so we played a bib game I came up with that needed the kids to put bibs over the tops of cones as quickly as they could in 15 seconds whilst two attackers tried to prevent them doing so by throwing the bibs off.

This went down well with the kids who loved the power of throwing stuff around whilst laughing out loud. Mission success!

Love those $1.25 nachos and the 50¢ Angkor draft.

In the evening, I went out for another swim (it's part of the routine now) before I headed to a Mexican for nachos and relaxed ready for a full day at Project B on Tuesday. Please, please, let it be overcast or colder. I don't mind which, as long as the heat doesn't rise!

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 94 - That Friday feelin'

Trying to explain in Khmer and failing miserably!

Day 94 - 25th September

After the public holiday break, it was back to business as usual.

The eight sessions ahead of us needed a good breakfast and the noodle soup was the perfect start to the day.

DK talking Khmer to our first set of students for the day.

The warm up demonstration.

We headed to Project 5 and began work. The first three groups were really understanding the message we were trying to get to them. They laughed as DK did his usual jokes and great coaching techniques. 

Getting involved, it'd be rude not too.

DK loves a selfie.

By the time the fourth group came out, we had a well oiled routine with my warm ups and DK's lesson. What we didn't know was that we had younger students. As everybody knows with young kids, the attention span is short so we had to do mini games to keep them interested. It worked well but it left us thankful for the lunchtime break.

Even the teachers want to get involved in the warm ups. 

Back at Bou Savy, I was drinking down litres of water, ready for the hot afternoon.

Such a great place to volunteer.

Everyone is always laughing, including me!

Back at Project B, we had the familiar scenario of three classes of more senior students followed by the young kindergarteners. The fourth class was out late due the boys playing around (boys will be boys) and then we let them run free in the yard, playing tag and generally having fun. It's virtually impossible to get them all to stand in a line and follow instructions, so why fight it I say.

The urge to go down that slide is so strong. So far, I've resisted. Let's see how the next four week fare.

Simple but so effective.

The evening was very much chilled, with a 30 lap swim, working on my book and reading a little more Papillon. The book is starting to pick up pace now which makes it so easy to read so much of it in one go.

It's a sweet life, sometimes!

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 91 - More fun and games and a feisty 6-a-side affair

The warms up in action.

Day 91 - 22nd September

After waking up a little groggy from a restless night (the storm was so loud), I had my breakfast and headed off to Globalteer so we could get ready for a day at Project B.

Explanations ...

We spent about two hours in two sessions in the morning, going through the same drills as the day before. Once again the kids had a good grasp of the social message and enjoyed chasing each other about. We had a few trips and slips but that just brought more laughter and screams from two groups of very excited kids. You've gotta love it!

The kids are so well behaved. And look at me, rocking the Adidas full kit!

Heading back for lunch, I grabbed a Cup 'o' Noodles and went straight to the Globalteer offices to finish my editing. The iPad app for Word doesn't let you do a real job of line spacing if you have the basic package (take note Microsoft and Apple - you're letting the consumer down with you add ons packs). 

After days and hours of solid work, I finally finished my TV drama script. Hopefully coming to your screens in 2017! Yes, it really does take that long.

Ready, steady . . .

We were back at Project B for more afternoon session but the second was cancelled because we had the kids from that session in a class for the first hour. Again, they identified the social message on their own which is always a positive. It means they understand the importance of health and hygiene that perhaps some of the older generation haven't be educated about.

I had a quick toastie at The Red Piano before heading over to Samakee for our weekly training game. Oh, it was pouring down again with huge forks of lightning coming down on my way there so that was enough to make me pedal faster on my bike from Bou Savy to the AstroTurf.

We were playing against some Khmer guys and it's my first experience of a team that closely resembled a team from home. They liked a physical battle and with me playing up top, one guy liked to lead with his knee in my back. 

Eventually, after we went 4-0 down, this defender pushed his luck and ended up with a taste of his own medicine from one of our players. Once this was out of their systems, the game continued competitively and we managed to get the score back to a more respectable 6-4.

In the end, it was a good game. I bagged one and Charlie and Dave shared the other three between them. Encouraging signs of a team coming together, perhaps just in time for a game against a big team, Carlton Palmer F.C on Thursday. We shall see.

I arrived back and dropped off. This volunteering malarkey is exhausting.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 90 - Final script edits and afternoon of fun!

Me trying to teach something!

Day 90 - 21st September

A new week, a new timetable.

We now visit five NGOs and schools instead of the original ten. An exciting prospect given that we get to be with a school for basically a whole day at a time.

The morning sports for social impact meeting was cancelled due to Charlie being in Battambang for two days. DK and I went through the game for the week - a box would be set up in which the kids would need to evade capture from one attacker. If they were caught, they'd have to sit down. Then we would introduce another attacker to make it more difficult. Finally, we would aid the kids by throwing balls for them to catch when they had been caught, effectively freeing them to run again.

The lesson of the week is to tell the kids the importance of health and hygiene. The message of the game is the attacker is sickness, trying to bring them down. We as the coaches are the medicine or health care, looking to help them back to health. It doesn't sound that powerful when explaining it but believe me, it has a strong impact on the kids, especially if they have fun!

I tried to finish my script completely but I had to head off to lessons. I will finish the bloody thing before Thursday's 5pm deadline.

Our class!

In the afternoon, we had two lessons at Project A, a nice little place out in the countryside. The playing field, as you can see, is perfect for what we were trying to achieve. Srey Mom joined us.

The kids love this warm up. A more mobile version of Dan says.

More painful than it looks.

The lad said we had a cheater in our ranks. Kids will be kids!

Following my warm ups, we went straight into the lesson. DK had devised the game and had said it would work. Boy, was he right. The kids absolutely loved it and competed in great spirit with each other. The social message was also clear to them as they detailed the importance of washing hands, washing, showering, brushing their teeth and all the things we do naturally without even thinking.

Coach DK's game.

Coach Srey Mom loves the sports too.

By the end of the two hours, we were surprisingly tired.

What a dinner!

I headed out for fish and chicken kebab before picking up some noodles to accompany them from my favourite noodle place. The combination was cracking as you can see.

The Cable Guy was on Fox Movies (please forgive me) so I put it on whilst I did some illustrations for my latest children's picture book. Hopefully I can get them finished whilst I travel. The build up of heat all day had caused a outrageous thunderstorm which was spectacular to watch, from inside.

I hope the rest of the days ahead this week bring less heat and more fun!

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 86 - Wet lessons and cup games

After a huge run around. But I scored again!

Day 86 - 17th September

The rain came again, waking me up at 5:30am. So I put the early wake up to good use, working on the  admin tasks set for me and doing a little editing on my script.

I set off with DK for our project at 7:30am. My buddy gave me another one of those coconut cakes to enjoy along the way.

The kids are getting to know me now, which is good. They come up, yelling my name and high five me. What's not to love about this volunteering malarky?

Our first lesson was uninterrupted and faultless, with DK leading on the main part of the lesson and me focusing on the warm up. Having the kids jump from cone to cone and laughing as they do so makes me laugh and feel happy about this opportunity in my life. Things seem so much simpler as a kid, which I know for some of these children is not the case, but they make it look so effortless and carefree.

Our second session brought rain, so we only managed my brief warm up before we were back in the classroom, teaching them about the importance of family. DK is really flourishing with his English and is vocabulary is building fast. I am a proud teacher!

After our morning sessions were complete, I headed back to Bou Savy for lunch.

Once digested, I went to the office for our weekly social impact lesson with Charlie, recapping on the week's progress and analysing the results. We had some different answers from one school and one orphanage for obvious reasons.

My awesome student, DK.

Following this lesson, I took DK for his English lesson. Again, his reading of English is developing well and I'll genuinely be sad when I have to leave. It's been great fun. But I still have five weeks left so I'm ecstatic about that!

I had to cancel my Khmer lesson that I'd been looking forward to all day to go to a local travel agent to sort out my visa. It expires Sunday so I've renewed, in the hope that a. They don't lose my passport and b. I don't get arrested in the next six days which is when they return it to me.

The evening rolled around quickly and I was soon at Samakee Market and the AstroTurf for Big Willy F.C.'s cup game. The team we faced up against was the team we had lost to on my debut so I had a personal score to settle. I'd scored in that game but it had only been a consolation at 4-1.

We went down 1-0 fairly early on, but they were lucky to get away with a handball in the build up. We were knocking on the door constantly, hitting the post and the keeper at any opportunity. Finally, we had a break through in the last couple of minutes remaining. I drove a low shot through a crowd of players to equalise. I was pretty pleased, displaying this to my team mates with a pump of the fist and some choice words.

Then the game went to penalties. We lost in sudden death. Always a cruel way to go out but we played really well so there are lots of positives to take away (and that's not code for we were shite!)

Back at Bou Savy, I did my laundry and Skype'd my brother, Lee and his wife, Siobhan.

What a day! 

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Day 85 - More rain, but no rain, no gain, right? RIGHT!

The dining area where I do most of my writing these days!

Day 85 - 16th September

So a quick noodle breakfast this morning and I was out the door.

We shot off to our project across town and were setting up in the rain. I am truly a believer in wet season now having witness so much rain. I thought it was just to signify when the rains came but boy have I been wrong.

The kids were full of energy and enjoyed the game of hopping between cones, as I gradually took more  away. Eventually, I had an army of kids behind me and just two in front. They both played a great game but as always there has to be just one winner.

We the taught them the lesson of the week and some kids grasped it quickly, others more slowly. Some not at all. One thing I'll always remember is from box four (Push Ups). The kids this thrusting their pelvis' into the floor is the way to do a push up and it just has me and DK in stitches.

After a slightly dryer end to the lesson, we headed off to our other project, over by the airport. This place has a big playing field so it's always fun. 

DK had to talk to the director about future sports arrangements so I took the lesson. The kids loved the warm ups, running up and down and jumping around. I then had them lined up in team A and B and they would run out in turns trying to catch the other team. DK suggested it as a good burner of energy. He wasn't wrong.

The lesson was cut short by . . . yep, more rain but we had most it anyway.

When I returned to Bou Savy, I had my Cup O Noodles and finished my admin tasks for Globalteer.

Afterwards, I headed over to teach DK more English. I tried him out reading for ten minutes so I could see what words he struggled with in some Grimm Fairy Tale books. I knew Gretel would get him!

We returned to the same NGO and DK coached the lesson of the week for them. Again the kids struggled with the push ups, all except the smallest kid. He is a foot shorter than the rest, about two years younger too but damn, can he nail a push up! Impressive stuff from a kid who normally comes to class dressed as Batman (Cape and Cowl included!) He's obviously serious about life as a crime fighter, and good on him.

By the time we were five minutes from Bou Savy, the rain was pouring again.

Please, let this be the one!

I made a quick stop at my favourite $1 noodle cart outside the hostel and then pitched up at. Table in the lobby / dining area to finish my script for the BBC drama submission.

And it's finished. All the hard work has paid off and now a quick edit and off it goes. 

So exciting times here in Siem Reap. Loving it more every day!

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