Project Red Pin.

​ Unlike my last trip two trips to Cambodia, this one is at least of my side of things not structured or completely laid out in an itinerary. There are not a bunch of sites that I want to see. For the first three days I was on my own, mainly adjusting to being home and finding my way around town…also trying to deal with the absence of my wallet, credit and debit cards and drivers' license. Oh…I didn’t tell you that? Yeah, in my rush to leave for the airport I left my wallet and all my cards at home and didn’t realize it until I was almost boarding the plane. So, after multiple ideas of how to get me cash, I figured out I could wire myself. So, I will be fine, just won’t be in possession of physical cards and my license for the entirety of my trip. Once people started arriving, things started to take shape. The meetings transitioned from greeting and getting familiarized to planning and training. We were preparing for our big event in Battambang (a city about three hours away fro...

​ After being here for three days, the team started to arrive. Each with their own problems. From delayed and missed flights, to ticketing issues and missing luggage. But with all things, most thing…somethings…things, everything worked out. Meta arrived from the Netherlands with her sister Jannette, followed by Li-Da from the UK and a couple of days later Claire (whom I will talk about in another post) from the Philippines. Already in country was Po-Thai. Li-Da and Po-Thai Clockwise - Po-Thai, Jannette, Vutha,  Meta and me Li-Da and Meta start the organization with Po-Thai several years ago. Each with their own motivation but having a shared goal; to help people who are looking for lost family. Li-Da has a story much like mine, almost identical and with some of the same player. She was an orphan and was take out of the country with the aid of a nurse named Yvette.  Interestingly Yvette was also part of my story.  She is seen in several pictures taken at the World Visio...

​Amazingly, after all that non-sense at the airport which was all caused my me,  I arrived at my homestay. Ever since I started thinking about coming to Cambodia, back in 2017, the thought of dong a home stay was very intriguing to me.  Sure it is nice to stay in a fancy hotell with all the amenities that come with it…the pools, the buffets, room service (for the rich people), towels…toilets with ample kicking room…But for me, I think that living with the people and seeing a slice of their lives that is closer to the every day life can connect me more to my culture than more manicured image.  Finding and choosing a homestay was a bit of hurdle. But the internet is a big place and is fairly reliable.  I settle on a place called  Eco Home.  Dara and his family run the homestay with a focus on sustainability and environmental mindedness.  He also teaches English at a local school that focuses on community children who might not be able to attend a state s...

 Having been in Cambodian two previous times, I figured I would be ok getting through passport control and customs. I was wrong.   It occurs to me now that the process of entering the country has been different each time.  But the last time was just over a years ago so it shouldn’t be that different. Oh but wait, I’m at a different airport and it has been a year so… yeah I had no idea what I was doing.  You know all that visa nonsense should have been a hint that more was to come.  For people coming off the plane who had their e-visa and entry card it was smooth and fast.  I was in that group so I sped through the passport control but was curious if I could maybe get my type-k visa (the permanent) that I used to have.   Turns out not yet.  Because I already entered on my current e-visa I could change my status this trip.  Ok fine, I can do that.   So off I was to claim my suitcase and get a ride into town. Next thing I knew I was outside...