Life is a journey.
Always taking the scenic route--and sewing along the way
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Cambodian Memories VI: the folks
Sokhum, my tuktuk driver for 5 days in yellow; Votah my tour guide for 3 days in the hat
I found the people in Cambodia wonderful--up until now the people of Viet Nam had stolen my heart. I found them open, helpful, gentle and smiling. My dear tuktuk driver, Sokhum, got me "off the base" several times in an effort to help me out; one with a visa issue (I needed my e-visa enlarged and a sheet of visa pics taken and processed--so off to a crowded hole-in-the-wall place we went one evening :) and another time to get an international sim card for my cell phone. It was a great way to get into back alleys, etc.
My tour guide, Votah, was a hoot with his Australian English; but I also found him to be extremely knowledgeable about his country's history. We had some great talks about our faiths and recent Cambodian history, the Khmer Rouge, and its affect on his own family. He also got me off the beaten path to a local family (not his) who were in the process of making palm sugar. Fascinating. Sokhum squatted right down and started stirring just like he did when he was a child. His brother fell from the top of a palm tree 20 years ago and became disabled so Sokhum would never climb the palm trees. But he was an expert stirrer. The candy is delicious! I tasted the palm fruit, too, and slurped the juice. The dad person cut it open and offered it--bottoms up!
These two guys both had small children at home and big dreams. It was a privilege to get to know them
The children speak for themselves, eh? The threesome were so persistent and irresistible that I bought a handful of bracelets from each of them. And gave them extra for the picture.
In the end, I just cannot help but smile when I think of this trip.
Last spring I chucked my 20-year-old bathrobe, giving me no choice but to replace it come winter. Granted, I never took it to Mongolia, so it only got worn when I was home in the US. But still. For summer I made several light weight robes, but I knew I liked the style of my old RTW one. When I saw reviews for Vogue 9232--on PR (all 3 of them), I knew I'd found my pattern. Interestingly enough, the pattern is actually for a caftan-type dress; but all 3 reviews were done up as a robe. Sham's review in particular had great tips. On a trip to Colorado Fabrics in early summer I spotted a beeeuuutiful pink sweatshirt type fabric. The outside is more like a thick knit and inside is dreamy soft. And it's baby pink! Which is hard to tell in the pics as we in Colorado have had lots of rain and no sunshine. And OK, I'm no photographer. But seriously, this is like stepping into a pink cloud. ...
I know this is a few days late, but we've been out of power for about 48 hours . Another story, another time. Anyway, holidays as we know them are a real challenge here. We did manage to go over to the Grand Khaan Irish Pub (remember, I do not make this stuff up) for a pint of Guinness (OK, it's watery Guinness out of China, but the sentiment is there as you can see :) and some Chinese stir fry. You see, their power was out, too, so the the grill was down but the wok was up. The place was packed and when the power did flash back on now and then, the Irish Rovers were a playin '. My first response to the 2nd picture was " Agghh ! I look 110 years old!" Randy reminded me that he took this on his cell phone. Hmm ... The 1st picture is of my first homemade corned beef!!! My dear friend, Beverly, shared her recipe (and her corned beef!) with my Bible study group 2 years ago. It turned out stellar! I have a handful of ladies of a Certain Age that inspire me and...
Almost a month ago I signed up for a 3-month membership at a local Dahn yoga center--and I have to say it has been life changing! Seeking to conquer my constant heart palpitations and gain lots more flexibility in ever creakier joints and muscles, I am constantly surprised--and delighted--to find it a profoundly spiritual experience. Not in a zen way, no Hindu gods invoked--but lots & lots of Jesus. I have found this stage of life to be an intersection where my spiritual life & emotions collided head on with my body. Things that for years I could sweep under the rug or just push through (ok, and blame others, hold grudges, lash out, etc., etc., yuk & yikes); well, my body would no longer tolerate it. Results: constant heart palpitations, sleep issues, anger/depression, etc. God used the hormonal stew of this life stage to bring me to a Ground Zero of sorts--what a journey it has been! My trip to Cambodia was the beginning of Change; it rebooted my decision-making p...
In the end, I just cannot help but smile when I think of this trip.
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