Day Two of Women's Conference

I get to be Bobbi's secretary again today as she is at the women's conference. She had a tough day yesterday with the 11 hours in a hot room sitting on a hard folding chair. She said the catered Cambodian lunch was great! Her talk went well, she felt it was a bit too formal and not her usual spontaneous style.

Today, she was working with a young woman interpreter who I have worked with before; she is really very good. So, Bobbi decided to bag her "prepared" speech and go with her heart. (The interpreter had no idea where she was going so was interpreting on the fly; she did an excellent job!) The talk went well and she looked more comfortable with it. There is a lot of good feedback; I'm sure she will be blessed, after she unwinds.

I have had a little more opportunity to visit the student centers, one of the big reasons that I come to Cambodia. Those students are bright, energetic, and passionate in all they do. I KNOW that I will read the news someday about a leader in Cambodia and will be able to say, "I know that man/woman". It is simply indescribable what it is like to sit and listen to their stories and answer their multitude of questions.

I had them laughing uproariously yesterday as they were giving me a Khmer (language) lesson. They howled as I tried to say certain sounds, totally unable to perform. Laughter is good medicine for them. They have a difficult life; little sleep, broad performance expectations, worry over money for food or continued schooling, chronic fatigue, and much more. But, they are doing it, and doing it well. It is a moving thing to watch.

Did Bobbi tell you about the traffic? Really it is more like a real-life dodge 'em ride! Remarkably, there are few accidents and cooperation prevails. There is NO road rage here. Sure a lot different from Metropolitan US driving! Traffic lights are for colorful decoration of intersections, STOP signs are for hitting as you turn the corner tightly to move forward, the white and yellow lines in the road are to keep city employees on the payroll, and much else. In the last year they have actually erected centerline barricades in the major thoroughfares in order to keep cars on "their" side of the road@!

Well, it is off to the market for some last minute shopping. We look forward to the Sabbath and maybe a little rest??? Hmmm.... we'll see.

Thanks for your support! Sure would love to persuade some of you to join us one time. More later...