argh, internet frustrations

Ok guys, I just wrote an entire update, and when I pressed save, the website crashed, so I have to try again, but this time I will give you the short version instead. I feel annoyed right now with the cambodian internet. An hours of work down the drain so to speak. I usually do a quick ctrl+c to copy the text, but I forgot.

Well here we go. I finished the interviews last friday, and I have to confess I learned a lot in the last 4 weeks, from building a good list of questions as well as learning to multitask, writing and listening at the same time. The last day, my recorder decided to stop working, and I had no other choice but to write everything down. Where I first wasn't to convinced of finding results I now have the feeling I found something. The reason Khmer people do not want to use contraceptives is because of the (perceived) side effects. Unfortunately a lot of wrong information is passed around, both by neighbours as well as the people who work at the clinics, which is quite disturbing.
This week I will see if I can find some results, so that I can tell the doctor at the clinic something. I am sure that will be appreciated, although I hope he does not become too defensive, as it is not a criticism on their work, just a result of the research. But khmer culture does not seem to make a difference there, loss of face needs to be prevented at all cost.

What else has been happening. Ohh too much sun. My body is not able to cope with it anymore, and even though I drink 4 litres of water it does not seem to be enough. I am threfore dreading the trip tomorrow to Ko Kong, as i need to leave the country and come back in. Its a 7 hour jouney through hell I suppose, cramped buss with no airco and lots of holes in the road. But then again, I am sure it wont kill me, just make me throw up or something.

What else did I do for fun! Ah yes, go to a Cambodian Wedding reception. The owners of the guesthouse where invited, and they asked me to come along, which I did of course. Even though my khmer is almost none existent we need very little language when it comes to drinking and dancing, and copying seems to be a safe way to go. I really had a lot of fun, and I enjoyed myself a lot. At some point I was talking to the best man, and he worked at the university of Phnom Penh, and his English is excellent, I am hoping to meet up with him when I go to phnom penh the next time.

One more week in Sihanoukville, of which next weekend will be spend in the company of Simon, I am already looking forward to that. Time flies so fast, it's hard to imagine I have been gone for 2 months already. Some of the times it is difficult to be by myself, I miss home terribly, and other moments it cannot last long enough. And even though I am already longing for a 'bruine boterham met Kaas' I would not mind staying a while longer. But what helps me the most at those lonely moments is knowing that each time I come online, there are messages waiting from you all. Thank you so much.

Well I better go again. Having to write this blog twice, is keeping me online too long, and it is still quite espensive.

Lots of Love,

Loes

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