Hello again!!!

I am currently in Ho Chi Minh City but leave tomorrow for along day of travel. I fly to bangkok and then a 8 hour layover at the airport..and then at midight I hop a flight to Madrid, Spain (13 hours!) My longest flight ever.

My last few days in Cambodia were certainly life-changing. I met many new friends. While at an internet cafe (Starfish Cafe) i met Vy & Sarann - 2 university students in Sihanoukville. I spoke some english with themn for a couple of hours and learned about their background/history. Vy was so excited about my teaching that he picked me up at 5 from my hotel so he could sho me his school and meet his professors. that was quite an experience. I met his business professor (who did his grad work in california). This professor intorduced me to the Dean, who then invited me to send a CV to taqch English. The prof also asked me to give an impromptu talk to his class about my teaching and my travels. It was so much fun. 3 of his students then came ot the front of class to ask me questions. Some of the most fun I had on the trip.

I did much thinking and reflecting in Cambodia. I love the people there and hope to return before the end of 2007. During the last 2 days, we spent time in the capital city of Phnom Penh. We visited the S-21 genocide museum - and that was some very difficult time for me and the rest of the group. It is hard toi imagine the fear that people must have felt there in the late 1970's. it was so brutal and gruesome and quite a learning experience for me. It is is hard to beleive what people are capable of, and especially puzzling when they do bad things to their own people. After that was a difficult trip to the killing fields (I did not take pictures). I have to say that I was not able to handle much of that visit. I cannot explain to you what was going through my mind that day. Absolutely awful.

On saturday evening the group went to a restaurant that helps take kids of the streets (another place in Phnom Penh). After dinner, the 25 children (many of them orphans) performed traditional Khmer (cambodian) dances. Absoltuley fantastic. They were so passionate and so happy (many of these kids were found on the streets). It was such an uplifting hour for all of us on the tour.

On sunday, I decided to volunteer at the orphanage in the afternoon - and how grateful I am for the opportunity that I had. I felt a special connection with those kids. They laughed and I knew from their faces how much they enjoyed my being there. I hope to convey to them how much I enjoyed being there and how much I learned from them, how much inspiration they provided, and how much I want to see them again.

One boy in particular, Ne, lost both parents to AIDS. My time with him was special. He wants to be a pilot. Looking into that pair of eyes was emotional. You could see all of him there - the pain, the hope, the happiness, the innocence - I could have adopted him on the spot. Our paths with cross again.

I arrived in HCMC to see the previously discussed 4 MILLION motorbikes. It is quite a scene here. Alot of history here as well. I have been walking the city, exploring, shopping and bragaining at the lcoal markets, and eating great food. I am off for Spain tomorrow and getting really pumped to see the Dave Matthews concerts in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

I will see you all soon. More when I arrive in Europe.

Take Care,

jeff