Introductory schedule: the first six weeks

Many people back home are beginning to ask "So, what EXACTLY are you doing until you start work on 28 November (other than going for bike rides and drinking G&T on the balcony!)?"

Below is the schedule arranged by the VSO office, just to give an idea:

14 Oct Arrive in Phnom Penh from London
15 Oct Briefings at VSO Office, inc. talk on traffic awareness(!)
16 Oct Cyclo tour around Phnom Penh
17 Oct Briefings at VSO Office about VSO programmes and personal finance
18 Oct Briefings at VSO Office, inc health, accommodation, cultural norms
19 Oct Move from Phnom Penh to Kompong Cham
20 Oct Welcome from 2 other volunteers; language training 1.30-5.30
21 Oct Briefing on gender issues; language training 1.30-5.30
22 Oct Language training 1.30-5.30
23 Oct Free
24 Oct Briefing on inclusion; language training 1.30-5.30
25 Oct Language training 1.30-5.30
26 Oct Language training 1.30-5.30
27 Oct Language training 1.30-5.30
28 Oct Talk by monk and visit to pagoda; language training 1.30-5.30
29 Oct Language training 1.30-5.30
30 Oct Free
31 Oct One to one meeting with programme manager; language training 1.30-5.30
1 Nov Briefing on monitoring and evaluation; language training 1.30-5.30
2 Nov Language training 1.30-5.30
3 Nov Move from Kompong Cham to Phnom Penh; briefing on livelihoods programmes; motor bike orientation
4 Nov Briefings at VSO Office, inc HIV/AIDS, politics, welcome party
5 Nov Briefing at VSO Office, inc volunteers life, motor bike training
6 Nov Free
7 Nov Employer workshop
8 Nov Go to Kompong Thom for placement visit
9 Nov Independence Day; House hunting in Kompong Thom
10 Nov Placement visit
11 Nov Return to Kompong Cham
12 Nov Motor bike practice trip
13 Nov Off
14 Nov Language training 8.00-12.00; feedback on placement visit
15 Nov Public Holiday – Water Festival: Go to Phnom Penh
16 Nov Travel back to Kampong Cham
17 Nov Language training 8.00-12.00
18 Nov Language training 8.00-12.00
19 Nov Language training 8.00-12.00
20 Nov Free
21 Nov Language training 8.00-12.00; briefing on corruption
22 Nov Language training 8.00-12.00; briefing on life of volunteers
23 Nov Language training 8.00-12.00
24 Nov Language training 8.00-12.00; de-briefing by VSO country director
25 Nov Free
26 Nov Move to Kompong Thom
27 Nov Free
28 Nov Start work!!!!