Parque de El Retiro, sometimes referred to as “the lungs of Madrid”, is a beautiful and huge park on the edge of Central Madrid. A boating lake, many majestic fountains, statues, manicured gardens, tree-lined avenues, and at least two beautiful buildings hosting art exhibits are some of the features I saw today. Maria, Bianca and … More A Beautiful Bubble
When I was home in New Zealand at the end of last year, one of my stories about Cambodia had a strong impact on an aunt of mine. The sister of a colleague in Cambodia is in her 60s, unmarried with no children and lives alone. She is also completely blind, since birth. Two of … More Disconnection Syndrome. Again.
I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. William Wordsworth, 1804 It is so much easier to be in tune with things when you … More Wandering, Lonely as a Cloud
While it’s not health systems that save populations, but healthy and equitable economies allowing a decent standard of living for most if not all, I still like this quote by Dr Paul Farmer. He is the founder of Partners in Health (PIH), a Non-Government Organisation who work in the poorest parts of the world, having … More Falling Through Gaps
I have European friends in Phnom Penh who went broke helping people. They are closer to retirement than away from it and they are in debt with no assets despite having well paid jobs as professionals with international organisations for many years. They have lived in a few different developing countries over the past twenty … More Different Degrees of Broke
These are wise words from a good friend and ex-colleague from MSF who works with me on the Board at Phter Koma. About ten years older than me, he was a young boy when the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia in 1975. When Lisa visited me in July last year she purchased a book … More Two Plus Two Does Not Equal Four
Today Bea and KT from MSF came with Chom and I to Dara’s grandparents’ village for a toilet inspection. Chom was on his moto with 3yo Microphone (because he’s so loud!) at the handlebars. The three expats were on our bicycles. Thirty kilometers and a sore rear end later, we made it home with new … More Generosity and Skilful Infants
While I base myself in Cambodia on leave-at-half-pay, unsure what exactly 2015 will bring as I “stress” about how to spend my year off work, three of my colleagues from Australia’s Northern Territory are in Sierra Leone, working in an Ebola Treatment Centre. The standard duration of Ebola missions is six weeks. Considered to be … More My Nurses Are Already Dead
Needing a bus ticket to Kampong Cham, I asked the hotel receptionist in Phnom Penh to organise one for me. Soon enough, via an agency, my ticket arrived by motorbike courier. Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham, 2-15pm, Seat 15. With no record of which bus company, I asked “Is this Capitol Bus?” and she replied … More You Know You’re Back in Cambodia When…
Every day of the year seems to be dedicated to the awareness of an issue, even an International Day of the Toilet! Which is not as ridiculous as it sounds given that billions of people do not have a toilet and are forced to defecate in the open. 10 December (yesterday in my hemisphere) was … More International Human Rights Day
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