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Bad Bands La Battambang

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​ 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...
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Let’s get it started

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​ 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...
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7 generations

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​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...
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In to Cambodia

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 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...
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16 + 16 = Suck and 32

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​ What’s worse than a 16-hours flight?  For me it’s a 16-hour flight followed by a 15-hour layover.   The fifteen wouldn’t be so bad, except of two facts.  One I did not sleep a wink on the plane, which is pretty normal for me.  Partly because when I fly I suffer from un-yielding leg pain which is only relieved through constant shaking and movement of my legs.  Secondly, if I do start to drift off any unexpected sound, bump or shift in my position causes me to jolt into sudden state of full awareness filled with adrenaline and freezing fear…and I mean every time. Luckily for me, a 400 plus ton flying metal tub full of human shaped meat sacks never experiences unexpected sounds or bumps.   We were also chasing the sun, so behind the window blind was a bright, actually blinding sun. And of course my window blind had a small crack in it that shined sunlight directly into my face.  But the fifteen on the ground…that seems like a good amount of time to...
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Leaving for Cambodia Again

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Leaving for Cambodia for my longest stay…in a while. I must admit that I am scared.  I am returning to Cambodia to do some work with Reconnecting Cambodia/DNA Cambodia.  Our mission is to collect DNA samples from as many people as possible from Cambodian population, to help families find each other.  Many have been separated for over 50 years, don’t know if their lost relatives are even still alive or if they were among the millions killed during the genocide.  Others, like me don’t know if there are family members out there…or even who they might be.  The work is important; to a forgotten group of people and to all the individuals who just don’t know. I know how important it is and am super happy to help in any way that I can.  I’m also going alone this time…for six weeks.  I haven’t been away from home on my own for a little more than a week at a time for thirty years.  That was when I was adventurous and full of life.  Now I’m a person...
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What I've Learned This Time Around

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With full transparency I am writing this post at home.   I have been physically home for three days, but I am still in Cambodia too. I believe I always will be. I feel more at home there than I have in most other places.  I cannot express how good it feels to be surrounded by people who look like me.  For most people on this planet, they get to grow up with people who look like them, stay with the people who look like them, or get to return to those same people even if you visit somewhere where people look different.  It is a big deal to me, and it makes Cambodia feel more like home...I don't feel noticed there...I don't feel out of place and I don't feel judged.  Except for my own personal fashion choices.   Just like my last trip home, this time I learned so much I can't possibly cover it all, but I might as well take a shot at it.  1. My skin feels amazing in the heat and humidity of Cambodia.  I thought that skin is always supposed t...
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