Its over,...for now!

Status:

Days on the Road: 322   (16.02.2012)
Travelled Km: 47.099 Km
Location: Phnom Penh
 



Well, and yet another time, it all ended up the opposite way I planned. I was leaving with a Russian Couchsurfer, for a very long Bicycle trip around the country. We first had to go back to the Vietnam border as she needed a Visa extension. We ended up taking some small dirt roads along the Mekong river, and we had lots of contact with the rural people. They are super open and friendly and some stretches felt like a parade for Astronauts coming back from the moon. Everybody shouting "Hello", kids running after us, Families waving, and all together. We spend some nights at Buddhist Temples and the Monks where very friendly and spared no effort to make us comfortable! But soon some doubts came up, as I learned to appreciate to travel by myself during the last 10 month. There where just to many things and discussion that made everything very complicated. As this is my own journey, I like to be the captain, and not the servant. Half way back from the border, we went separate ways. My plan was to head over to the Ocean, but as it is in Cambodia, I had to take a massive detour back to Phnom Penh. When I arrived late in the evening, I decided to head back to my previous Couchsurfers place. He was very kind, and since then I am enjoying Phnom Penh. Originally I was on my way to Thailand Bangkok, to somehow catch a Plane back to Germany, as I am totally broke. As for now, I can say this trip was amazing, and any future work would be only to finance the next trip. Suddenly my host made me the offer to get a job here. It took him one phone call and I had my Job Interview. I went there and left after 15 min. with a done deal.
But unlike I imagined before, this will be a true challenge. They want me to teach 10 different grades, kids aged 2-15 years. As I am the first Foreigner teacher at their school they expect me to do some miracles... Tomorrow I will have my first day there to have a look. But to be honest I am pretty scared, this will not be a smooth walk around the Lake. On the other side, this is one hell of a great opportunity. A once in a lifetime chance, to start something new and fill it up with all the good ideas you have, make the things right that you hated about your teachers. And I work with awesome Cambodian kids. From my trip with the bicycle, I know I like them, and they like me. Just adorable... :) Anyway, I will stay here somewhat around 6 month. I hope I can save enough to hit the road for another couple of month. We will see... But anyway, it was once more, just totally amazing how everything just fell into place. I did not have to bend one finger and everything good in this universe just fell in to my hands...
I will try to update you on Cambodia and Phnom Penh in a while, its a very strange/funny country :)

take care and have fun