Spud books by Nick Kol

42 Days to Launch

So here I sit in a tiny Internet cafe in Siem Riep, Cambodia. Outside thunderous rain thrashes down onto the humble little streets from ominously blackened thunderclouds. It's been over a month since we heard another South African voice - how quickly you become accustomed to a new existence. In Cambodia ones identity as a western traveller or "barang" is fixed, stymied by history, language and a pale skin. Nobody here has heard of South Africa - they call us Aussies or Americans which is equally galling.

In Spud, the character of The Guv inscribes a book of poetry, which he presents to Spud Milton on his 14th birthday. It reads, “Here’s to all the beginnings, and the possibilities they bring.”