The life of a backpacker in Bangkok - lazy afternoons and drunken evenings.  Sitting around reading books, watching the latest hollywood movies and drinking cheap beer.  It seems like a good, relaxing life but Bangkok is somehow vampiric.  The slack, combined with the heat, traffic and pollution seems to sucks the life out anyone who stays.  I've been here a week already.  Far too long! 

The week did have one good outcome.  For some time I've wanted to be a writer, but I've lacked motivation or focus to work towards that goal.  I found motivation this week! 

Sitting around the guesthouse, I typed in a stack of journal notes from the last trip.  Typing in a years worth of thoughts provided a fast-forward, high-speed introspection.  One note about intellectual challenges is what really sent me in the right direction.  In grad school, I was developing new technology and I loved the excitement and challenge of it.  Since grad school, I've taken myself further and further from those challenges.  This note asked if I can accept that. 

I realized the answer is "yes, no, sort of."  Yes, I do need a challenge in life to be happy.  But, I realized that the challenge doesn't need to be technical or mathematical.  Writing is a very different sort of challenge than engineering, but I think that it has the possibility of exciting me equally.  I'm ready to start viewing writing as a challenge not a hobby - and start taking it seriously.  Steven King said in his autobiography:  "You must not come lightly to the blank page."  That's the new me. 

Tomorrow I move onto Cambodia.  I'm planning on volunteering, which is something that I've never done before.  I don't know if I will love it or hate it, but I'm in search of new adventures and this will certainly be one.  I found a message on Lonely Planet's message board (it's included below).  Sally teaches English to landmine victim children and is looking for someone to help.  I sent her email for more info, but received no reply.  That's not going to stop me from going; Not knowing what to expect when I arrive just makes for more of an adventure, and a better story. 

Until next week... 

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Land Mines English Teach Needed ASAP

Hi,

I am a volunteer working at the Land Mine Museum in Siem Reap/Ankor, Cambodia.  I teach English to the children who live there.  They are all land mine victims.  They only need an hours lesson each day (except Sun) but they love to chat and play with you too.  We also ask that you help around the museum when you are not teaching, answering questions etc.  I have learnt so much while I have been here. 

There are usually 2 English teachers at the museum but at the moment I'm on my own.  We desperately need one more. In return for teaching the boys you will be provided with basic accommodation and food.  There is no contract and you need no qualifications.  We only ask that you are a native English speaker.  There is no time limit either.  If you can spare only two weeks, that would be great, more would obviously be better.

If you are interested or just want to check it out first, contact me either by replying here or if you are in the area come and visit me at the land mine museum.  Any moto or tuk tuk driver knows where we are.  If I'm not around just leave your name and e-mail address with someone there and I will get back to you straight away. Is the perfect opportunity for you to experience the real culture and way of life.

Sally Blanchfield