I nearly jumped out of my skin this morning. It was dark but there was loud music and bashing of drums and cymbals going on outside the apartment. It was a Chinese ceremony and something to do with breaking the floor in a shop to make a new shop. I finally ended just before 6am. I should have got up but I objected to being woken up in that fashion so I stayed in bed until nearly 8am. This meant my morning was almost over by the time I had done my morning walk, showered and had breakfast. I decided I was totally fed up with my hair so I went to the barber where I'd taken the boys. He asked if I wanted it styled or just short - I chose short. I had no idea what he could do with my mop anyway. I gave him the money I'd paid for the boys but then I discovered that we foreigners pay double so it cost me $3. On the way home I bumped into Bopha, who works at the hotel we use with the dentists. When I said I'd been to the barber she said, "Why do you go so far?" I'd only walked for 10 minutes but she was right - there are barbers within a minute or two of where I live and in fact they are all over the place.
I found Thornin sitting at my neighbours' sidewalk cafe and so I joined him for a bit of lunch and then he came up to the apartment. I have been away from home for 5 days and so the floors were very dusty. The dust is so fine it can't be seen but I know it's there with the state of the water after I've done some mopping. I had an hour English class so he disappeared into the bedroom where he could use the air conditioning. As usual, Phearak plugged his phone in to charge it and then he started to nod off for the next hour. He seems to be able to sleep at the drop of a hat.
I then joined Thornin and Tola at a coffee shop for a chat about money. Tola's a notary and lawyer so we needed to ask for advice about people who owe money. I found it quite embarrassing as I've been waiting for a young man to pay me for 3 years but he keeps putting it off. I've told him to pay whatever he can but he hasn't bothered. Thornin explained the family situation and I started to feel as if I was the bad apple. His mother used to sell diamonds but then people stopped paying them and they ended up bankrupt. When I first new them they lived a good life but Thornin said that one of the daughters, who is married, has been reduced to picking up plastic and beer cans after the karaoke parties. They got me even more worried by saying the young man is depressed, hides in his room and might commit suicide. What to do!?
I forgot to mention a very interesting chart that was on the wall at the centre we used over the weekend. It showed how 197 countries were progressing with regard to banning nuclear weapons, landmines, cluster bombs and the environment. There was only one country on the chart that was doing nothing in all four sections - the United States. I was quite surprised.
Someone was talking on the radio this morning about "Sensory Food Education", and how young children need to be able to learn about food by playing with it, cooking, eating etc. It helps children to become more curious and brave. I had to laugh when one little boy was asked about the feeling of having a bite of banana. He said it was like running in a muddy football field. Another lad was asked to describe the smell and texture of a mushroom; he thought it was crunchy but he said it smelt like an old cupboard. I didn't know that the world has 6000 plants that could be used for food but only 65% of them are eaten. Of that percentage we focus on just 6 plants worldwide. That seems like a heck of a waste to me.
I declined an invitation to go out for dinner at 8.30pm. I'd already eaten anyway. Now I'm punishing myself trying to stop myself from eating too many Ferrero chocolates a friend gave me. I did so well, just one or two a day, but this evening I gave in to my natural instincts.
