July 5th (2020)

 

5th July

Day 113

I am awake at 7am after having a sleep disturbed night, and waking about every two hours.

I shower, shave (must keep up appearances, I'm British don't you know), tinker on the internet while breakfasting on toast etc etc etc.

I'm feeling woozy, but force myself to walk out to Psa Char (Old Market), along the alleyways, across and into Pub Street, another alley and I am there squeezing through the market aisles, quite literally rubbing shoulders with Khmer locals.

It is so much cheaper buying chicken legs from the market. I buy 10 legs which she divides into 20 pieces,(10 thighs and10 drumsticks). Elsewhere in the market I buy coriander, Khmer mint, long chilies and parsley, again cheaply. All in all under $10.

Outside, I meet my old friend Sita (the tuk tuk rider) and he takes me to Angkor Market (supermarket) where I buy extra couscous, water and coca cola. Then he takes me back to Colors of Cambodia. I call that 2 journeys and pay him accordingly. Times are tough for tuk tuk riders.

On getting back I marinade the washed chicken pieces in a Middle Eastern mix of spices, then wet fry until half cooked, leave then shallow fry in sunflower oil until just cooked and a little crispy outside. When all is cold I grind black pepper over and add mint, coriander and parsley.

Now, I have just finished cooking the couscous in cumin spiced chicken broth, with oil. I am about to add mint, parsley, coriander, diced tomato and cucumber when the couscous is rested.

Well, I consider that lunch to be a success. All done, eaten, enjoyed and will have the remainder for dinner.

I am looking at a photograph of someone I had known last about 40 years ago. Then I stop and ponder. Have I aged as baldly? My former friend is 71. Will I look so old in two years time? If I do, I do. However, it makes me think, hmmm life is interesting. It takes you down backstreets which can lead to pleasant meadows, dead ends or dangerous alleys. One minute you are 20 and cycling about your hometown, the next you are 69 and seated within a tuk tuk in the Far East.

After killing five mosquito in this bedroom, I've given up. Time 01.13am