It’s good to be (host)home

Yesterday was the day I’d been waiting for since I was put in Phnom Penh for recovery. Going back to the team; being with Sanmort and pretty much going home. I got such a warm welcome.

Hannah and I arrived back in Srae Thmei around 1pm today. We had previously told the team and the Khmer that we weren’t returning until Monday so that we could surprise them. Being away for a week has felt twice as long and has been pretty hard and stressful (even though I was supposed to be resting). The entrepreneurship team and volunteering team welcomed us back with open arms, smiles and the all around good spirit that we missed! It felt like home; seeing everyone’s faces and catching up on all the incredible sessions they had done whilst we were away. I found myself getting too excited and a little overwhelmed, so much so that I had to remind myself to calm down otherwise I might end up back in Phnom Penh - which isn’t happening again!

After surprising everyone at the office, especially Will as he lives with us and must’ve been pretty lonely without the girls, I was still waiting for Sanmort to come back from her exam. Sanmort has been messaging me every day, saying how much she misses me and that she wants me home, I felt the same. It’s hard to explain how such a strong bond can be made between two girls who can only speak little of each others languages.

I had written Sanmort a letter which explained how much she means to me and all that personal jazz! Inside the letter I had placed matching friendship bracelets.

The khmer girls told sanmort that I had been sent back to the UK (which was pretty cruel but made her reaction even better), then I jumped out and sang her name which is our little thing, singing each other’s names. She fell on the floor with surprise and happiness that I was home and then we had the best cuddle.

At dinner, our host mum was really happy that I was back. She told us that she was having a “coca cola” to party and celebrate that I was home. She also said that I am beautiful now that I have been in hospital (which is a compliment I guess). Wills mum even came to celebrate by cooking me some special egg with ketchup to eat with my dinner. The families were very welcoming and that’s when I thought, it’s good to be home. I had even missed the rice!

Sanmort and I spent the night giggling and doing a little language lesson until bed. It’s simple but with her, it’s great fun. We also tidied the room which was less fun but as a team, we got it done in no time.

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This morning I woke up really dehydrated but well rested. I was dreading the amount of washing that I had to do! However, sanmort came and helped me so we got it done in no time! She explained to me how she is scared because she has her exams now, it’s hard to know what to say in that situation, especially with a language barrier, but I told her that she is so smart and will do really well in her exams.

Today is the first day of the weekend and we’ve spent it doing a chill out day with pancakes.

I used my chef skills and made a smashing pancake. They tasted slightly salty (even with sugar) but I had a little taste of home.

Charlotte and I were very proud of our pancakes; considering we made them out of rice flour, egg, condensed milk and melted butter.

We did a classic game of monopoly deal which I always lose at! And I lost, twice.

As a late lunch, we went to host home 3’s baguette stall and had a plain baguette with butter and meat. They have loads of weird sauces and vegetables here but I prefer (as I do at home) just to keep it plain and simple - although it’s harder to translate that.

I’m just now sitting on my mattress, trying to rest and have some time to myself as there isn’t much of that here (which is expected). Sometimes we just need to clear our minds ready for the new day.

Back to work on Tuesday which I’m so excited for and furthermore, to write blogs that don’t involve me being sick!

Lea hi 👋