Esther in Cambodia
In summer 2006 Esther packed her bags again and went off to Cambodia.
Click a picture to enlarge
The sights, sounds and smells of the far east are an intoxicating draw for the would-be traveller. Esther's adventure here took place with her friends for the university course group to see how prosthetics and orthotic devices were being made and used.
With problems over health insurance she nearly didn't make it but such was her persistence that she finally took off and immersed herself in the culture.
To her amazement the Cambodians had devised home-brew prosthetics for people with limbs that had been traumatically lost. She expected to discover large numbers of land mine injuries in the department and was surprised that the majority of amputations were a result of motor bike accidents. "But", she said "when you see them ride three to a bike you can see why!"
Patients being fitted with prosthetics were put throught their paces on a purpose built assault course in the rehabilitation centres. No mollycoddling.
((picture of Esther as penguin))Raising the finance to get her to the far east took her into her local Morrisons where (for a gift) she would pack your bags at the checkout. She even dressed up as a penguin and won first prize in a fancy dress competition.
Esther's tutor said 'My most vivid memory of Esther on the Cambodia trip was at a night out in Siem Riep in the north of the country where most of us traipsed along for a night advertised as 'come and chat to a Buddhist monk'. It was a wet night and we sat on the floor of an upstairs room listening to a young man of around seventeen, dressed in bright orange tell us of his belief and culture. Many of us got bored and gradually went to sit outside as it was a warm evening. However Esther showed both endless patience and humility and set intently asking this young Buddhist many questions and she was animated in the debate they then had till the time for the session ended."
Cambodia's principal tourist magnet is the ancient temple of Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century for king Suryavarman II it was intended to be his royal palace and capital city of the nation it now appears on the national flag and shows off early Khmer architecture in all its glory. Esther was fascinated by it and wondered at it's intricacy and size.
She was determined to find some Christians if at all possible and persuaded her housemate Jen to brave into Cambodian territory to find a church. The small fellowship they found were amazed to have real English women in their service. They translated the Khmer worship into their best broken English and gravitated to Esther afterwards when they realised she had blue eyes.
The poverty and hardship faced by rural Cambodians deeply moved Esther and she often felt drawn to help the disadvantaged and weak. Her determination to help people at almost any level often emerged in situations like this. Jen said "We trekked through torrential rain to this small church where we received the warmest welcome ever. In this picture, Esther is helping one of the local boys with his English language skills as they read 'Love Actually' in both English and Khymer!"
Gayle said "I still can't believe you're not with us anymore :( Will miss you loads darlin and I'll always remember how much fun we had on our Cambodiarse Adventure :P and how much closer we became during our travels! From our very flattering sneak attack photo of our gracefully sleeping forms in Bangkok Airport, to singing like loons on the bus to the beach, and the "Fruit in the Luggage" escapade :D you made me laugh dear and I'll never forget you. Love and Hugs, Gayle xXx"
