Teo's Birthday

We have neglected posting blogs for a few days and we apologize. You are probably wondering how it could possibly take so long to prepare to depart. After anxiously waiting for over a year and the boat arrives, why are we not just ready to take off?! Well, we wonder, too! We are waiting on a Vietnamese boat man to come and check some things out that we are having problems with. Also, our electrician left, so now we are looking for replacement along with a medical doctor. The nurse and medical trainee are working well so far and we hope that continues. Our cook is great. Last week we had him prepare all western meals for lunch and he did a great job. This week we are back to Khmer food. The captain is happy about that. The cost of meals is quite a lot less when preparing Khmer! Today was Teo’s birthday and when we went out for lunch we surprised her with this desert (in picture). It was pretty, but looked better than tasted. All eight of us helped her with it! Ha! She was embarrassed because Rick was trying to get the waitress to sing Happy Birthday to her. Khmer people don’t really celebrate birthdays. On the Khmer New Year, which is coming up in April, everyone becomes a year older then. Oh, and I do appreciate those of you who already realized that this year is the big 5-0 for me! Ha! Rick is treating staff and seeing some people who live around the boat on Saturdays. I am still assisting and Rick tried to teach me to take x-rays this past Saturday. He is developing them now, so maybe I’ll let you know how they come out. I am looking forward when the trainee will start assisting him. I think mopping floors is a lot easier than suctioning saliva and blood out of mouths. Gail