Truly hard to believe we are into our third day on this most worthy endeavor. Upon arrival in Siem Reap it was immediately apparent that we were in a place that I certainly had never experienced before. A country that virtually exists without rules. Not rules that you and I would normally attribute to day to day life. The people in Cambodia live for the day. They struggle to survive day in and day out.

It is easy to lose track of time here, as time virtually has very little meaning to the people that spend their days in Cambodia. Without getting into the political history of the country, Cambodia, in many ways, is still in it's infancy as a nation having come out of some extremely difficult times approximately 25 years ago.

With that as a backdrop one can easily see how welcoming and friendly the people are here are in Cambodia. They live for peace and crave the interaction with outsiders. EVERYONE says "hello" as we pass by on the roads and trails throughout the region.

Our first day we got an opportunity to spend several hours with the children in Sunrise Village. They greeted us at the gate when we arrived and treated us to a wonderful Cambodian musical presentation. We were able to play with the children later in the afternoon which everyone participated in, in one way or another. To know that the money we have all raised, and many have so generously contributed, will truly help these children with daily necessities, as well as get an education which ultimately will lead to a better life in this continuously developing country.

Over the last two days we began our bike riding, first throughout the temples around Siem Reap, and today out in the country side surrounding the city of Kampong Thom (the bus ride and traveling on the roads is an expereince in itself). The heat and humidity have made the ride challenging but all have done well and are ready to persevere over the next two days when we face rides that will total 50 to 65 miles each day.

We all continue to meet the daily challenges that each day brings, which are most certainly different then each of us encounter in our normal daily lives at home.

I cannot express how very proud I am to be part of this team in supporting this most worthy cause.

Bill Jackson, Paul Conn, Frank Madonna and me all push each other each day as we have been paired up as "buddies" throughout the 10 days. Each of the other teams have all done the same which has made this such an enjoyable and enlightening experience.

More to come.

Mark Hartzell