Orientation was a blur of excitement. Besides meeting 50 Americans and Canadians who were heading off to many different countries, we also got to live and fellowship with 50 international workers who had come for a year of service in our countries. In my case I was able to meet several participants from Cambodia and talked extensively with them about different customs, foods and people I would encounter in the upcoming year. We had may topical sessions throughout the the week designed to prepare us generally for the changes and challenges we would face.

At the end of the week I set off with Christa, my fellow Cambodia worker, on a grueling trip halfway around the world (literally). During the trip we visited five different airports, watched many movies, sampled different varieties of airline food (or lack thereof in the case of US Airlines) and lost a complete day sometime in the middle of the night.

Having now been in Cambodia for an impressive six days, I have much to report. After living at the MCC offices for a few days I moved in with my host mother and sister at the end of the week. To be fair, I should also not forget my host dog and cats. The house is in a somewhat quiet neighborhood near the offices.

The large part of the past week was taken up with language lessons: twice a day, barring schedule conflicts. It is really progressing well, despite my frustrations, and I have to remind myself that no one can be fluent in a week. I also attended my first team meeting with MCC Cambodia, and learned a lot more about the work that goes on here, as well as in the provincial office. During this coming week I will get to learn more about the work I will do with teaching in a few weeks as well as visit the university (which, by the way, has a ridiculously hard name in Kmae).

I continue to adjust slowly, to the food, language and heat. Soon I will learn to drive the moto and will be able to zip around the city with the greatest of ease.

I am currently in Akron, PA with about 50 other Americans who will also be heading off to overseas assignments at the end of this week. Also here are about 50 international workers who will be starting service terms here in the US. Many of them are from the countries we Americans are going to, so we have had a wonderful time of friendship and knowledge exchange. I am learning more about Cambodian culture, attending meetings and finishing up the last details of my trip. I'm sure I will have a lot more to write later, so check back in the next couple weeks for a real blog post.