We’re movin in!

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Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

How exciting…. we have really done it. Knowing today was the big day and things were getting busier at Penny’s work, we got up early and were well prepared. After breakfast we loaded all our gear into a tuk-tuk for the short trip from the guest house to the apartment.

The front of the place is protected by these great big iron gates and once unlocked there is space to fit 2 cars (undercover) then comes the front door of the office (the complete ground floor). After quickly introducing myself to all of the staff, Penny had to start work, which meant it was time to get dirty.

The place is primarily double storey with super high ceilings (in the office, living room and kitchen) but also has rooms in between so you could say it has 4 “half” stories. It also has a nice balcony, roof top terrace, the living room is spacious but the kitchen is very basic. (Gee I sound like a real estate agent, Mick am I qualified?) Our old kitchen will be sorely missed, over here we have 1x small fridge, 2x burner gas cook-top using bottle gas, small sink, small glass pantry and no oven. Not to worry…….. cause we have Cable!

Anyway enough about that cause the whole day was about cleaning and getting the place livable. I had some help in our house keeper who we will be employing 3 mornings a week to help with cleaning (apartment and office), shopping, laundry etc. But before we could get started we needed cleaning products so I raced to the supermarket on the back of a motodop. A motodop is a man who can afford a small motorbike and who’s primary income is picking up passengers for a small fee. I found my guy in front of the office but he was waiting for someone to come out of a meeting with Penny, he agreed but he wanted to keep the other fare as well so we hooned there and back, great first time experience on the back of one through the busy streets of Phnom Penh (PP) holding a broom and a mop while the driver carried my other purchases. He was quick but not quick enough, he missed his other fare as the meeting had already closed by the time we got back, feeling responsible I gave him a few extra riel for his troubles. I think he was ok with that.

The rest of the morning the house keeper and I were scrubbing tiles, sweeping and washing curtains. My personal aim was to have our bedroom spotless so we sleep easy that night. That meant lots of tile scrubbing, dusting, mopping, cleaning the bed frame and airing the mattresses. Whilst doing this I think I sweat out more than as if I played 10 basketball games …… have I mentioned it gets quite humid here?

Over Penny’s lunch break, her boss offered to take us to the Phsar Toul Tom Poung AKA The Russian market to buy bed linen, towels, pillows, bath mats and other essentials for our first night. We also found a DVD stall which came recommended, so we know where to go for our movie fix. Also across from the market we ate at a very nice cafe which helps Khmers to learn how to work in hospitality. Your paying a bit extra but the cafe promotes fair trade and responsible employment.

There was more cleaning in the arvo but by the end of the day our bedroom was clean and set up, we were both super exausted and ready for a good nights sleep.

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