Fresh off the boat

I have arrived, safe and sound, in Siem Reap Cambodia. The border crossing was much less painful than I imagined. I had read stories of child pickpockets posing as beggars, touts who follow and cannot be dissuaded, demands for bribery, cons, tricksters, and ne'er-do-wells of all sorts.
My experience was painless. I walked through easily with (despite my best efforts) way more luggage than I needed or wanted. The whole trip took about 8 hours, but I bet I could cut it down to 6 now that I know the route.
My arrival was warm and wonderful. The house, office, and colleagues are wonderful, and my job is really cool.

Here is a basic shakedown of my objectives to start:
1. Staff development: English classes for Khmer (Cambodian) staff.

2. Evaluation planning: working with the "travelling co-teacher" to design better ways to evaluate teachers and schools for future participation.

3. Curriculum development: Helping the Creative Learning Center team develop lessons and materials.

4. Presentation: Helping the 2 main Khmer (Cambodian) staff members working on the travelling English program make a presentation on their program at a conference this year.

My week is split between a lovely office in Siem Reap and an amazing village called Chanleas Dai about an hour out of town. From what I've seen of the village so far, the school is the bulk of it. It will be a true immersion experience, a little electricity for a very short time (just lights in the evening) no hot water, A/C, or fans, and living in a staff house with several Khmer staff, all in the countryside of northeast Cambodia. Luckily, there is satellite internet that was donated by another NGO, so I'll be able to keep in touch all week long!

But, it's beautiful, the people are amazing, and I can handle a little heat...