THE PROMPTS FOR THE MONTH
SATURDAY 1st YUM: After collecting a couple of cane pieces of furniture
in Kampot we took a scheduled stop at Epic Cafe for lunch before completing the
journey to Kep. This lunch was officially yum
SUNDAY 2nd SOMETHING YELLOW: Well our first full day
in our new hometown and a trip to the local market, so we can cook at home from
now on, meant the something yellow had to be these tiny (barely bigger than my
thumb) bananas. I don't even eat bananas but Ian does and they weren't all we
bought obviously but they were the only yellow items among the purchases
MONDAY 3rd SLICE: I am delighted to have a kitchen
again and have spent a lot of this morning slicing lotus roots for a salad I
learned to make in China. They were the only fresh food we carried with us from
Phnom Penh because I was so glad to see them there and disappointed that they
weren't available in Kep. A single slice is such a pretty shape but I had to
include part of the whole root as well
TUESDAY 4th BEGINS WITH C: Coconut of course. Buying
and trying the local treats in our new hometown is our current joy. This
coconut was shredded before our very eyes in the Kep market this morning. Looks
like coconut enhanced curry and coconut flavoured rice pudding will be on
the menu this week
WEDNESDAY 5th EARTH: Despite the apparently dry earth
in this the rainy season the rice in the paddies outside our front door is
thriving
THURSDAY 6th READING: In the past week we have been
trying to learn a few simple phrases in Khmer but I simply can't see myself
ever reading this language. I think this is a prayer as it was in a temple we
discovered earlier today
FRIDAY 7th BIRDS: Thanks to this prompt I have spent a
great deal of time observing the many birds that frequent the rice paddies, which surround our house today. The winner of the bird of the day contest is
the black-winged stilt, who also made a lovely little chirping sound and swooped
and waded as it searched for food.
SATURDAY 8th SCENT: Today has been all about cooking -
frying, baking and roasting. We tried out the new oven and now the delicious
scent of home cooking permeates the whole house, which happens to be open plan
and one room. I just realised how many posts so far this month have been about
food. I guess we have really missed having a kitchen to call our own
SUNDAY 9th ZEN: Adding the personal touches to our new
home. It makes me happy to have a beautiful space, enhance it and enjoy living
in. My little Vietnamese Zen Buddha reminding me to be calm, mindful and
grateful
MONDAY 10th NEUTRALS: The neutral tones of the bamboo
and wood create the ambience in our bamboo home. This shot is looking up to the
ceiling and storage area. Ladder access only, so dreams of turning it into a
guest room remain unfulfilled
TUESDAY 11th BUT FIRST...:
open the windows and let the air and light in and make the bed
(I am uncharacteristically indecisive today.
Second option is above - I never leave home without making the bed and eating
breakfast)
WEDNESDAY 12th DAILY RITUAL: Having only been in this
house for eleven days there are few daily rituals established, but not a day
has gone by without me staring out at the rice paddies and taking time to
appreciate being here while contemplating life. We can almost see the rice grow
in this season
THURSDAY 13th GEOMETRIC: The simplistic beauty of
Cambodia's iconic scarf- the khramer. Each one is patterned with stripes and
checks and always in geometric designs
FRIDAY 14th OUT THE WINDOW: The view out the bedroom
window is of the rice paddies and our nearest neighbour's house.
NB This seems to be turning into the month of
showcasing food and the bamboo house
SATURDAY 15th PAPER: The recycled Phnom Penh Post
newspaper pages from the wrapping from our purchases at the Sakura Recycle
Shop in Kampot
SUNDAY 16th THIS COULD BE AN ALBUM COVER: French pop/
rock new wave band formed in Paris in 1981 and one of the best selling French
bands, having sold 10 million albums might have wanted this shot taken in Kampot
as one of their album covers. Archive shot taken in 2013 less than 20 minutes
away from where we now live
MONDAY 17th ON THE WALL: I spotted this while walking
around in Phnom Penh a couple of weeks ago. I've hardly seen any street art
here but this picture cleverly incorporates the tap on the wall into the image.
Archive shot again as we are being held hostage in the bamboo house by the
monsoon rains
TUESDAY 18th PETALS: The intricately folded petals of
a lotus flowers in the hand of Buddha. I have noticed these folded offerings in
both Thailand and Cambodia but I think I prefer the naturally opening petals of
this exquisite flower. Continuing with archive shots showcasing Cambodia as the
monsoon abates and the decimated garden looks half submerged
WEDNESDAY 19th SEE THROUGH: I admire this little
traditionally designed school building on the main road into Kep each time we
pass. By chance we recently met the president of the Educating Smiling Children
organisation that has built many such schools all over Cambodia. You can see
through the turquoise fence and appreciate the airy design of the buildings and
the shady surroundings
THURSDAY 20th I HAVE TOO
MANY: randomly sized pieces of cloth that do not serve any practical purpose at
the moment but have huge sentimental value and have been utilised it different
ways in different homes so I continue to hang on to them. This prompt was
really difficult as this has been our year of downsizing and simplifying our
lives
FRIDAY 21st CROSS: These colourful wooden boats cross
the open water to get to Koh Tunsay (Rabbit Island) from the mainland at Kep
Pier daily
SATURDAY 22nd COMPOSITION: This luxury residence and
exquisite garden is not just about the composition of aesthetics, it also
spells opulence to me. We are privileged to be able to use the pool in this
gorgeous setting and very grateful for the generosity of the owner
SUNDAY 23rd CHILDHOOD: Some of my fondest memories of
childhood are of the beach in summer and at Kep Beach this afternoon plenty of
children were making those same memories. Hard to believe that about five
minutes after taking this photo, the skies opened up and another torrential
downpour flooded the nearby streets and intersections but it didn't empty the
beach
MONDAY 24th LOOKING UP: I was looking up at the sky
for over an hour yesterday. Three distinct layers of clouds floated past and
this was the final view. I need to remember to look up more over in the late
afternoon
TUESDAY 25th BALLOON: This motorcycle balloon vendor
plies his trade at the beachfront in Kep regularly and this little shopper knew
exactly which balloon she wanted. She also waited patiently while the rainbow
unicorn was extracted from the mass
WEDNESDAY 26th TRIO: A trio of light fittings, at
which we are currently staring longingly after having no electricity for the
last three hours as nightfall approaches
Thursday 27th TINY DETAILS: What makes me feel really
at peace and connected are the tiny details that I love to add to the decor in
our home. This minute Buddha has been a part of each home I've lived in for
many many years. I always find a special place for him to reside and always
notice him when I walk by. Living mindfully
FRIDAY 28th BRIDGE: I'm not quite sure why this bridge
exists on the foreshore in Kep but I was glad to discover it today. I thought
there were no bridges in this town but thanks to PAD I have discovered that
there are at least two near identical bridges a few hundred metres apart.
Second choice
and the other bridge above
SATURDAY 29th BEAUTIFUL BUILDING: This restored
colonial home on the main street in Kep is certainly a beautiful building. The
light filled airy rooms and open air spaces are enticing and charming. Although
we are on the lookout for a rental and it is available, it is certain to be
well over our budget - might need to take a look inside anyway
SUNDAY 30th FREE CHOICE: Since this seems to be my
month of showcasing the Bamboo House and our new, chosen location of Kep, I
choose the Spirit House in the Garden. I do love them and intend to find out
more about their significance as our time here continues
MONDAY 31st HAIR: Rambutan a fruit with hair in
various shades of green, red and black. These are local produce from the market
and purchased to continue showcasing Kep during our first month of living here
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