Staff Retreat 2010

Every year the staff takes a retreat, usually to the beach for 3 days. We have to split up to make sure that everything at work is still covered but everyone gets a chance to go on one of the trips. So I headed out with the first group last Thursday morning. The plan was to drive about half way to the beach (2 hours or so) and stop at a waterfall, eat some snacks, and then head the last 2 hours to our destination.


At the waterfall it began to rain, which is not unusual this time of year...but posed an issue with the roads. As we were driving back to the main road we slid off the road into a ditch. Here are some pictures that captured the experience.


We all climbed out the back window even our staff member who is 8 months pregnant :) No one was hurt but most people had to loose their shoes before climbing down so the people helping them down could hang on to them better. Thanks to my Chaco's I didn't have to and thanks to my sister who was a cheerleader I made sure to tighten my leg muscles as they helped me down as well. But the road was red clay mud so even with my shoes on I was gaining inches in height thanks to the layers of muck. As you can see on the tires of the bus.

Once we got back on the main road the rest of the trip down was uneventful. We had a team from America with us who came to do the retreat for us so after eating lunch at our hotel we had some free time before our first session with them. Kristin and I headed down the beach to sit and watch the water away from the many solicitors trying to sell you things and enjoyed a nice quite afternoon sipping cold drinks. We apparently were the only ones to venture out as we learned most everyone else took a nap :) (this is very Khmer, they always sleep after lunch for a little bit). That evening we went out to dinner at a place along the ocean and enjoyed fresh crab (Which I loved!) and other Khmer dishes. The great part was that it was only $4 a meal for what we ate. We finished up the evening with some ice cream before returning to the hotel

Some kids along the beach:


In the morning we played games on the beach which included some of us (including me) getting blind folding, carrying someone, and having to reach the other side of our little area...but I was being pushed around like I was playing football, which I didn't know was coming. I tried spin moves and all but being blindfolded and feeling as though the staff member on my back was going to fall off I admitted defeat. But we had so much fun! In the afternoon it was raining so as everyone slept Kristin and I headed into town to a small bakery and cafe we had heard about. They had an amazing courtyard, which is where I am in the picture:


Before dinner we played more games and wrote encouragement notes to each other. I have to say I have not laughed as hard as I did during games in a very long time. We played the Khmer version of duck duck goose (you aren't suppose to touch each other's heads). But they get up and each person races by going opposite ways around the circle when you meet each other en route to the spot you are suppose to formally bow with your hands in a prayer formation in front of you (typical greeting here) and then shake your butt at each other before continuing...oh my word. Don't worry I am bringing it back to America, it is a good time! Even as an adult you can have fun playing duck duck goose :)


For dinner we had a cook out on the beach as you can see from the delicious grilled squid I am eating!! They also had grilled shrimp, fish, crab, and chicken. After dinner we had a dance party on the beach. The staff is a ton of fun and they came and grabbed me while I was trying to take pictures so I could join in. Even the guys who are very formal on staff really let their hair down and were dancing. Khmer dancing is kind of like line dancing in theory as you don't really have a partner but you move in a circle kind of doing your own thing. Sorry no pictures of me dancing as I was one of the few taking pictures :)


Me and Cathy, another volunteer

I have to say this is one of the best staff retreats I have been on. Good food, great fellowship, fun games, no work (some ResLife people know what retreat I am talking about ;) ) and we ended with dinner and dancing on the beach! I didn't have to plan anything, I didn't have to approve anything, and I just got to enjoy it. I also had a great time with the staff which was very refreshing.