The fun continues… I am a wee bit back logged on my blogs with enjoying the moments in a day and not recording them as much, soooo I am travelling back down memory lane to the end of November 🙂 (seems so long ago now)
Thailand has some amazing waterfalls and these particular falls were interesting. The beauty of them was not for the grander, it was that we could walk up through them because their formations were made of none slip limestone. It was pretty cool.
(my amazing crew up for any exploring. We made our way down a path to the base of the waterfall to then make our way back up ~ getting a little wet of course)
(we could not keep up with the kids, they left Trent and I in the dust, like little monkeys climbing up the falls)
(my precious girl ~ she is growing up into this amazing young lady)
(lots of photos of Trent this day because he was closest to me the whole time. Now this was the strangest feeling, your mind says this is completely wrong being able to climb up through a waterfall and not slip… it really played with your senses)
(a quick video of what I am talking about)
CAMBODIA ~ Phnom Penh
Trent and I had to make a visa run and so we ventured down to Cambodia for 3 days. The kids stayed back at home in the care of our helper Moe and our good friend Bec, the kids had a great time with them.
Cambodia has a extremely sad history, Trent and I felt so ignorant not knowing how horrific it was. The Khmar Rouge took power in the late 1970’s and through starvation, torture, forced labor and execution ~ all this resulted in a genocide of close to 2 million people being killed in two and a half years. Everyone we talked to was affected in some way, being it their parents, aunt, uncle or grandparents … a very sad history but the Cambodian’s we met were not shy to talk about it, they wanted us to know.
Because of this injustice on Cambodia, many countries and organizations moved in to help. With this huge flux of foreign humanitarians and the influences they brought, many Cambodian’s spoke English which surprised us. This poor country was stripped of everyone who was educated and powerful and for many years had no great leadership because of it. Cambodia is starting to get on its feet and in the future it will be interesting to see where they end up on a global spectrum.
(The view from our hotel. This traffic intersection was insane especially at rush hour. Panama, Thailand and Mexico driving holds nothing to the craziness of the drivers here at times)
(Our driver and our mode of transportation for a few days. This man was always flashing his toothless grin happily showing us around. We had a good conversation one day with him and by Cambodian standards he had been quite a savy busness man, he could afford his own cart and bike)
(This is the memorial that houses all the remains of all the executed people that were found in the surrounding killing fields. This memorial is frequented by many people to try to bring healing and closure to the mass tragedy that Cambodia suffered by the Khmar Rouge)
(it was very disturbing walking into this shrine that preserved 9000 skulls of men, woman and children from the genocide. It did not seem real that I was staring at the skulls of small children especially. On the bottom shelf are clothes that have been recovered in the surrounding fields. All the people who were killed were never executed with a bullet it was always by blunt trauma and brute force ~ very disturbing)
(this video gives a quick glance at the poverty that has engulfed Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We are traveling just outside the city here)
(Our driver asked Trent if he wanted to shoot an AK47 “Sure” was Trent’s response “Crazy” was mine … so we drove what seemed miles and miles away to a military field with active military personal training as we drove up. Trent had his choice of weapon and for a very expensive price Trent shot a round that lasted about 5 seconds. He was like a little boy. We heard rumors that in years past for $2000USD you could shoot someone on death row. That is to crazy)
(After the high of shooting a round with an AK47 they asked Trent if he wanted to throw a grenade… We went a bit farther back in the field and after a quick lesson (while my heart was racing) Trent pulled the pin and threw the grenade into a pond of water…. The ground shook and rumbled beneath our feet. SCARY
The Markets ~
I love to experience them!
(I mentioned I was looking for a hat and Trent picked out this one ~ ah ya.. not what I had in mind ) haha
(If you look at the tags in your clothing right now I bet 75% of you are wearing something made in Cambodia… there are mass clothing factories here. Old Navy, Gap, American Eagle, Eddie Bauer, Gymboree, Zara, Adidas, Nike the list goes on. In this picture I am showing all the extras or defects that did not make it to North America which end up in piles on the street, in the markets, EVERYWHERE. It was unbelievable. I bought a Zara sweater for $5 that I paid for the exact same one in the store for $50. Crazy stuff)
(clothes were everywhere)
(deciding on tonights dinner)
(Looking for big shirts for Trent is always a challenge so you can imagine our surprise when Trent asked a lady if she had any Big Big shirts and she came out with this one. A Saskatchewan Roughrides official CFL shirt in a 2XL. How crazy is that, in Cambodia ~ a far ways from home. Cost us $5.00USD which was still a bit to much)
(I love taking pictures of the older generation, they show so much on their face. This old lady was all smiles when I asked her if I could take her picture)
On the Streets…
(On the streets of Phnom Penh most vehicles were either Lexus or bikes, not much in between. What do you do if you don’t have a truck but have to move tires ~ be creative….)
(he could be sitting on one of the veggies you just ate tonight)
(street taxi man)
(more goods for transport. I was amazed at how much a small bike could handle. There was some creative stacking)
(we did a quick tour of the Royal Palace. It is nothing compared to the Palace in Bangkok but still some nice digs)
(Cambodia’s colors of the week for the Royal Family)
(Me and my budda friend, pondering the essence of life)
We had a great trip, we learned and experienced a new country, our kids were well taken care of and we got our visa for Thailand ~ life is sweet!
Back HOME!
(Oh she is growing up and it is so fun to be apart of it. Em is packed and ready to head off on her Gr. 5 camping trip for 3 days 2 nights up in the hills of Chiang Mai. The class had a great trip … visiting a hill tribe school, hiking up a mountain, sleeping in their tents and singing camp fire songs)
(Ev is crazy over soccer, here is one of the teams he plays on. Ev has also moved up with the big boys and plays soccer with kids on the under 11’s ~ he loves his soccer (oh excuse me ~ football as it is known here, very confusing …lol)
(Ev does not like when someone else goes for his ball… )
(Trent yet again coached and lead Emma’s soccer team to the championship game. I lost my voice from cheering so loud, it was very exciting. I contribute a few of my grey hairs on the stress of watching the kids play their sports ~ but it sure is fun)
(we had fun taking our annual Christmas card picture. I am thankful we finally got one where everyone was looking. If you did not get our card it is either I don’t have your address or you have moved… so if you could forward me your info that would be fantastic ~ before we know it, it will be that time of year again 🙂
(my amazing kids and their best buddy Essie xoxo)
I have a few more blogs in the wings of this update. This weekend I hope to sit down and get them done before the crazy events of the week unfold….
Emma and Easton are starring in the school senior production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” so next week they have all their performances in front of live audiences, can’t wait.
Also the big track meet is on Thursday against all other schools, each of the kids have made the track team and are competing in an array of events. Always a big day at the CMAC.
Trent and I both feel privileged enough to be coaching teams at the school. Trent is coaching the boys U11 basketball team and I am coaching the girls U11s. I have some hard working girls who I am so proud of, we just won our first game and I have no voice left from yelling so much 🙂
Well I need to get some shut eye while some of you are just starting your day.
With lots of love.
Until next time.
Everett. Easton. Emma. Jody. Trent
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