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Day one of my return.

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So I'm back in Cambodia with my kids a couple of days before the tour starts. Well actually one, but its a jetlag day so it started super early and gods willing it will not be too late...I'm living with a Elsa who is 20, Vincent at 17 and Liam at 15. So no it won't be an early evening.  Flying here highlights to me how weird this planet is. We left on Thursday and basically arrived on Saturday...so we lost a day. The flights were easy. Eleven hours from Seattle to Seoul and six from Seoul to Phnom Penh. This was a day their phones would get really pushed to their limits We came in a hour later than I thought, and when we were getting the kids visas it was a little stressful. Not as bad as last time but the officers didn't really understand my story and were wondering about the kids. In the end it all worked out and the kids didn't get too frustrated with me. There seems to be a baseline of frustration, and they didn't get too high above that.  Tree met us ...
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Back to Cambodia

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  In a week I will be leaving for Cambodia for my second visit.   This time I’m bringing some company.   Three of my kids, Elsa, Vincent and Liam will be joining me.   Unfortunately, Madeleine and Domingo will not be able to come this time. It has been six years since I was there and the world has been through a lot.   The meaning of this trip is different than my last.   Last time I was reintroducing myself to my homeland, this time I’m introducing my kids to the land of their ancestry.   Last time I was scared for myself, how I would react and what I might discover.   This time I’m worried about my kids, not that they will be in danger, but because they will have unexpected experiences and probably feelings.   I have dedicated myself as a father to save my children from as many difficulties as I can. This trip will without question place my children into situations that will be difficult. I am aware of this, and I believe that these dif...
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My Cambodia

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After we completed our last ride, I remember washing off the red clay dust from my legs, arms and face and I watched it cascade down the drain, it is so red it looks like blood.  It is everywhere, on my shirt, shorts, legs, arms, on the bill of my hat, it is ground so deeply into my shoes, I know they will never be completely cleaned of it…But I’m fine with that.   I like having those little reminders of my time here, as Cambodia drops back into the realm of dreams, where it has lived most of my life.   But now the colors are vivid, the sounds are sharp, and the images are mine.   I am holding onto a unique set of images that is now my Cambodia, not the images from a TV show or magazine.   Just like any other place in this world, the reality of it is not there until you experience it.         Now that I have returned home, and have had a week to process… I still don’t know what to think.   I do know now what my Cambodia is. ...
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Last Day in Phnom Penh

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Today was our last day in Phnom Penh.  After riding about 325k or 200 miles throughout this country, I'm exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally.  I've seen so many sides of the daily lives of people at a level I would have only dreamt.  Even still I know that there are so many more sides to see. The red line indicated our travels not our biking.  We drove a bunch too.  As one of my last goals for this trip, I wrestled with the idea of visiting the World Vision Offices. They still have a large presents here with focuses on child welfare, health and education.  I have a lot of respect for what this organization has done for the people of my country and for me individually and would like in some way to make contact with them.   At the same time, I have been hesitant to do this as well.  I recognize that my involvement with World Vision was a long time ago, and in the grand scheme of things was not a major "mission," it was bare...
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Let's eat

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Food is one of my passions, I love cooking it and I love eating it.  Honestly, look at me...Not really a surprise.  I've always had a unique relationship with food.  As you already know, I was severely malnourished as a child which set groundwork for my food issues.  When I say food issues, I'm not talking about pickiness.  I am in no way picky...I will eat anything, and try to taste everything at least three times before I say I don't like it.  Really the only food I regularly don't eat are cakes and cookies. The earliest manifestation of my food issues was when I was first in my new home.  After I was served food, I would eat as much as I could as fast as I could.  I would then carry my plate around with me, until it was empty.  This strategy has further developed into me eating everything within reach, and then seeking seconds.  My question for food has further developed into my difficulties share my food, unless I am prepared for...
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