The Red House & The Empty House

Obviously the reason for me neglecting this blog for so long attributes to the fact that we've had such a hectic past few weeks - one event that originated at perhaps 10:30am on last Tuesday morning. Vy decided to remind us that we were going to Kep on the Wednesday afternoon - and good thing she did remind us - we all believed we wouldn't be travelling to the rural province (just 4 hours from Cambodia) until the Friday of that week. Hence, busy preparation began and before we knew it we had arrived.

Technically we hadn't reached Kep itself, but Chamcar Bei, a village about an hour away from Kep. BABC (Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, the NGO we are volunteering for) supports a huge project in this particular region, with opportunities for developing the community through agriculture, education and health. Our major role while there was to help build a house.

The Red House

...Yeeaah I fooled ya'. This wasn't actually the house we built, but the one we stayed in. The Red House, as it is known, is the local residence for the BABC volunteers working in the area. Currently there are 3 - Inge and Sofie from Belgium, and Michael from Germany.

Surrounding the Red House, which is complete with Kitchen, Bathroom (I say bathroom), Balcony & 2 hours of electricity per day, there are miles and miles of farmland stretching out in every direction, with some amazing mountains in the distance. Additionally it comes equipped with a local Swimming Pool, the beautiful, serene lake full of authentic Lily pads. We even ate some of the lotus fruit while we were there.

The Lake

So I apologise if I'm starting to sound a bit like an advertisement, but really, what could I say about Kep that wouldn't attract someone from wanting to go? The fact that it's a completely unspoiled area makes it unique from anywhere else on the planet. Perhaps the comforts of home missing, I would find it difficult to live there for months on end, although I think the beautiful location would more than make up for it. I suppose many wouldn't agree with me, but I find many cities just the same thing over and over - but somewhere like this? You can't beat.

ANYWAYS, so onto the house building!

It was about a half-hour cycle to the site on some (rather questionable) bicycles supplied by BABC. Doesn't sound all that pleasant? The picture below shows the scenery pretty much the entire way.

Tiring, yes, but incredible at the same time.

So arriving at the site started us off building a house that went from picture 1 to 2 in two days.

Beginning

End!

It was an amazing feat, simultaneously charitable and enjoyable. As a group, it cemented and bonded us even further - such that, when it came the time to leave Kep, I felt rather sad at having to depart from a location that would hold true memories for me of our time in Cambodia. 

NB: photos courtesy of Tien as I forgot to take my camera to Kep!

...And that sadness would reign true only a few days later, as on Monday 8th November 2010, Maxwell Moody and Victor Trisna departed from Cambodia for good.

We all knew it was coming, that they would be leaving approx a month before the rest of us - but that doesn't mean it made it any less hard! Those two were a huge part of the entire group and will be very much missed.

Some of the Facebook Comments that arose after they had left...

ERICA: miss you already Victor Trisna and Max Moody!!! have a safe flight bros <333

IDA: 3 months make you care more about people that what you realize at once :( i will miss you two so much :( remember youll always be my brotha´s from anotha motha ♥

TIEN TSIN: Victor awwww

thanks for the note, sorry for us all rushing you at A2!!
I miss you and Max Moody so much already!
BUT THE GROUP WiLL NEVER BE SEPARATED AT HEART
We all HAVE to have a reunion sometime in the near future ♥ ♥

I think those accurately sum up how we all felt about the boys' departure. 

As a surprise, we made them each books where everyone wrote individual messages, and t-shirts with all our names on for a Cambodian reminder. The catch was, we gave these to them an hour before they had to leave, and so they spent their last hour here hastily trying to scribble in everyone ELSES books while simultaneously trying to eat a last dinner at A2...sorry about that guys...

Although it's the end of the line for them, the journey continues for the final 6, and so I will hopefully still be blogging until the end if I can!

Much love (& curious as to who is still reading),

Juliet