Day 5 - 11th September - Carrots? In fruit salad?

Okay, so today we experienced some weird 'western fusion' type things in Battambang, mainly to do with food. For example, who would make fruit salad with carrots in it? Hands up? Anyone?
Didn't think so.

And who would put cocoa and sweetened condensed milk on fruit salad with carrots in it? Didn't think so either...

And what about having a pretty cappucino sign on the wall, but not know what cappucino is?

What about a coffee drink that claims to be better than candy (and isn't, apparently)?

I'm sure there were other local oddities we experienced with regard to food, but I can't think of any right now.

So we delivered all of our goods to CCT this morning, and yet again I forgot to bring my suitcase back to the hotel. Out of five days so far, I have had my suitcase with me for nearly 48 hours. I left it at CCT last night, forgetting to remove all the books I had in it, so didn't have any clean clothers this morning, then forgot it again. I have it now, though, so I won't be quite so stinky tomorrow morning! Mind you, I nearly left it in the van when we got back to the hotel...

We had a look at the frog breeding setup - the frogs are big, like cane toads and they squeal like cats when you pick them up (not that any of us were brave enough to!).

After lunch, we went back to CCT and basically played for the afternoon - Fiona brought some AFL footballs, which Nacha took to like a Cambodian to weird food - with eagerness and ease. Most of these kids have gross motor skills that are ten times more advanced than kids their age in Tassie. There are some potential sporting stars here, if any talent scouts are reading!

We also played volleyball, Sey Tawat (have you worked it out yet?), keepings off and some weird chasing game that Sophia couldn't understand.

Hai was a little less high than last night.

We are starting to see the individual talents the kids have. One family (Torn, Too and Jet) are amazingly intelligent kids, who soak up everything. Jet is also quite skilful with balls, whilst Nacha has amazing motor skills and persists diligently on anything - physical or academic. He spent half an hour trying to remember how to spell Florry, Deon and King Kong. I wonder if he will remember tomorrow!

And as for baby Annie - everyone is in love with her and she is a master of getting attention when she wants it (or not!). She is very chubby for a Cambodian baby, too... well fed by everyone!

Som Nung is stubborn and persistent. She doesn't like to have things done for her, rather she wants to do things for herself, which given her background is absolutely brilliant. None of these children take anything for granted, and they all have a very independent attitude towards life. Alongside this, though, there is an amazing sense of care for their big family. Everyone looks after everyone else, and the big kids make sure the little kids tow the line.

Hing is an amazing artist. He is a tiny little guy who is about 12 years old, but he can do some great art - Nacha also does some brilliant drawings. Is there anything he can't do? Nacha's sisters are Sinet (who came to Tasmania) and Siniet, who is very ill, but very responaible - a bit like the big sister of everyone.

I will endeavour to leave a comment about each of the kids. It won't be hard, as they are all so open, friendly and affectionate. There are one or two who may be alittle hard to crack. But I'm sure we'll get there.

Tonight at dinner, I laid down a challenge to Sophia and Felicity - to order and eat their own meal, without leftovers. Tonight they shared pizza and chips and ate it all. This was a first, I think... by the end of this trip we'll have them eating spiders and frogs... maybe...