Introducing myself to everyone over here. [grin]

[PositiveAttitude]

Hello,

I have dipped my toe in over here a couple of times, but our big move is now only 7 weeks away, so I want to come and say hi to you all.

We are moving to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Me, DH, DS (16) and DD4 (14). So far we have a house sorted for renting for the first 6 months. DCs have places secured in an international school and we are all getting incredibly excited.

Any advice will be gratefully received.

You all seem so worldly wise and confident over here, you scare me a bit so please take pity on me, for any dumb questions that I might come out with.

Oh hello,
I have zero experience of living in Cambodia , but I wish you a smooth move and a good time in your new country.
It must be so exciting!

Oh, thank you very much, Franca. The furthest I have been in my 45 years of life is Tangier and the longest I have been away for is a week! I most definitely NOT well travelled.

Oh well, The most "overseas" I have lived, is actually the Uk , I am Italian.

It takes time to adjust to a new place, I have to be honest. But wow, I hope for you it will feel like big adventure!

I hope that people who live in that part of the world see this post and can advise, so bumping this for you.

Hi there- Not really in your neck of the woods (HK) but a bit closer. Hope the move goes well. My advice would be to (try to) go with the flow, and be realistic that there will be set backs and frustrations which are minor when you look back, but overwhelming at the time

Dh once came back from work when we'd been in the ME about 3 wks to find me crying on the kitchen floor as I could not get anyone to fix the dishwasher- LL told me to call developer. Developer said was out of warranty and not their problem,. Independent dude wouldnt fix it as it was integral and required breaking tiles to get it out- told me to call developer. Eventually I just broke the tiles myself so dude would fix it

Anyway, hope your dishwasher works- just thought I'd share that story with you so when you are "lost in translation" you know that many others have trodden the path and got to the end

If you need a break from PP, there is a great little hotel in Kep called bang knai Chat- fantastic chili crab and amazing massages. Go there for the weekend to recharge

Know nothing about life in Cambodia but just coming on here to wave and say "helloooooooo PA"

Can't believe you only have seven weeks to go before your departure!!!

How about a cookery class to familiarise yourself with basic dishes/ingredients when you first arrive?

Typical of me thinking only of my stomach but I guess diet is going to be one of the biggest changes

Also, I guess one tip would be to try and befriend a friendly mother at the International School who would be willing to show you the ropes and give you low-down ....

Good luck with all your preparations!!

Thank you for the replies.

RMPMBMT - Thanks for the tips! Oh dear about dishwasher saga. Might not have that problem as I don't think we will have one, but I know what you mean! I will look up the hotel for when I need a break.

SC - you know me and my stomach too well.

Today I have been sent a timetable for the first few weeks. A lady has been asked to show us around. It looks quite good, not too much in one go, days split up between days of rest and family relaxation and a few trips out to local places such as local markets, museums etc.

Yes, I will smile nicely at all the mums at the school and maybe someone will take pity on me!

That's great that you have an induction itinerary already planned!!

Crikey - this is REALLY, really exciting stuff isn't it????!!!!!!!!! It just kind of dawned on me what you are ACTUALLY doing ifsywim!!!

I know we are supposed to be worldly wise and nonchalant in reality bumbling along like everyone else but with added linguistic difficulties on this thread but blimey - talk about life-changing!!

Good Luck PositiveAttitude! It is such an amazing experience - and very exciting!

I haven't been to Cambodia, but I have been to all the countries around it and lived in Bangladesh and Thailand for a while - it was brilliant - so vibrant and fun. Your kids will have a great time too.

Enjoy it!

Thank you for replying. Everyone I have spoken to who has been to that area has said how lovely it is and how much they loved it there.

I have every intention of enjoying it and making the most of our time - 2 years initially, but an option to stay if we want to (and can afford to) after that. Yes a massive life change, but life would be boring if it all was the same wouldn't it?? We never seem to do anything by halves here!

so - how is it? living in Cambodia? would love to hear about it as we may be going with our 3 kids!!

Yes, any advice please share. We've looked at it too (not to live, just to stay)