Welcoming the roo

The Welcoming Ceremony consists of hundreds of school kids and local volunteers lining both sides of the road, waving little Cambodianian flags and bowing with their hands together, the traditional Khmer greeting. Kangie is a big hit with kids and grown ups alike when she returns the traditional greeting. Kids high five Kangie. She works the line like a pro. We are given necklace made of looped ribbon. A brief welcoming speech and we head to our house for a safety and orientation briefing.

Our house - number 12- already has the foundations laid and about 2 courses of brickwork. Happily there is also a loo already constructed and operational. When I finally have the need to avail myself of it at then end of the following day, I see that it "flushes" by pouring a scoop of water into it from the nearby bucket. I'm reminded of my days at the commune when we used leftover shower water to flush the toilets. At least it's not a squat toilet.

We stow our belongings and find one little boy has followed Kangie to the build site. He feigns disinterest in Kangie, but hangs around. Michelle prods Kangie closer. The boy pushes it away. This game continues until the kid finally embraces Kangie. A few moments later he and Kangie are gone. He doesn't reappear. We've been played and vow to continue the search for Kangie at the markets, where she is probably being sold as stolen goods.

Although there are unconfirmed sightings of Kangie thoughout the day, she doesn't return to the build site. It's official, Kangie was roo-napped within an hour of arriving on the build site. Missing for the requisite 10 hours, authorities are notified and an All Points Bulletin put out. A reward is offered for her safe return. Meanwhile, the smaller, less impressive, less identifiable kiwi bird remains unmolested.

Suspicion falls on the New Zealand team. Their glee is palpable. The had motive, means and opportunity. The kid may have been a bit player in the sad saga. We now believe the mastermind to have been team leader Andy. Investigations continue.