Getting used to being useful again

I've been here a week now and fortunately it didn't take too long to find things to do. Without a camp pass I can't do anything hands-on (frustrating but hopefully very temporary) but I've been writing neonatal management guidelines for the training I'll do later on, talking to reproductive health about what I should be training the midwives to do, and I'm now waiting for community health to tell me what exactly it is that they do so that I can add stuff. Hopefully I'll have a temporary camp pass by Tuesday. People tell me not to hold my breath though. Blah.

My desk at work - I share an office with about 15 others

Other than that, I have been getting to know MHS - not too hard as it's not very big! My digs are not exactly salubrious (in fact, they kind of suck) so I've just started looking for something more permanent. It'll be a relief when all the practical stuff is done and I can just get on with things work-wise.

Dried fishy delicacies at the Sunday Market

In terms of social life - there are lots of Thais, lots of Burmese, lots of hilltribe people and LOADS of expats working here. I'm trying not to fall into the expat pack mentality which pervades most places - in the long run it is just frustrating and creates barriers to getting to know local people and customs properly. It's a delicate balance - I'll have to see how it goes. One thing is for certain though - I have to be really strict about practising my Thai as I already feel that it's slipping a bit.

Marlene, me, Naomi, Inbal

We (ace boss, ace reproductive health boss, ace new friend) went karaoke-ing on Friday night. The bar was outstandingly 80s. It looked like something from an early Tom Cruise movie, complete with veneered bar, chrome fittings and red disco ball. We had a Thai vs English (language) karaoke-off with 3 locals who were there - it was just us and them. I'm thinking that my rendition of "Have I told you lately that I love you" probably didn't help our cause, although "Love is all around" complete with backing vocals and whoas may have redeemed us a bit.

80s extraordinaire tacky karaoke bar (rivals on right hand side)

The week ahead, with luck, will involve me starting to train people in the camps, finding permanent accommodation, and getting generally set up. I'll keep you posted.