You're off to great places,
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So...get on your way!
-Dr. Seuss
Believe it or not, I can take or leave international travel. I am not a person who lives to see every corner of the world, but I do appreciate the incredible opportunity that God has given me and I am grateful for our travel opportunities. Greg, on the other hand, has lived life dreaming for this time. Every once in awhile I remark, "Can you believe you are finally living your dream?"
November brought an opportunity to meet up with a former choir student of mine in Siem Reap. He teaches high school in Korea and had American Thanksgiving off. Greg and I flew to Siem Reap and we were in the air a mere 30 minutes. Even though we were only a 30 minute plane ride away, Siem Reap felt like a different country. The travel vibe reminded me a bit of Nepal. It was great to connect with Calvin and to explore the many temples in the area, the most famous being Angkor Wat. As we walked around, I kept saying, "Wow - it's like we're walking through ancient ruins" and Calvin reminded me that's exactly what we were doing.
We appreciated the wonder of these man made temples and the incredible carving but I was relieved that I know the one true God and not stone statues.
December brought travelers to us! T and J finished their exams on December 16 and were with us by Dec 20. The anticipation leading up to see them simply walk through the airport doors was like nothing I have ever experienced. The minute I saw their faces, my heart burst with joy and relief and I ran to them crying. J pretended he couldn't see us in the crowd...not funny.
Our days and nights have been action packed. With the kids coming to us, our time was completely designated as family time and it was nice not to have to share the time with other obligations. We conquered the Phnom Penh tourist sites which we had been saving to see with them - the National Monument, the Royal Palace and Temple, the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum. The Killing Fields and Genocide Museum are truly devastating and were avenues to discussion about the disturbing history of Cambodia, the social effects of that history and the opportunities Greg has to address those issues in his work. The horrors of learning the truths of what occurred only increased our love for the surviving generation and the new generation of the Khmer people.
On our way to the Killing Fields, which is outside of Phnom Penh in a relatively remote location, our tuk tuk broke down! In the end, Greg and the kids pushed the tuk tuk until a kind moto driver pushed us. It was hilarious.
Greg's cousin and her husband visited Cambodia the week before Christmas with a team from their church in Singapore. We were able to meet up with them twice that week and it was great to share our lives with them.
On Christmas morning, our usual traditions took place only in a much warmer climate. Later, we attended church together before enjoying Christmas dinner with some friends. The next day, we packed up and embarked on some more travel to Otres Beach, on the Gulf of Thailand.
Greg drove to Otres Beach, following our friend. He describes it as a huge game of chicken with the passing that occurs without much attention given to lanes. It was a bit stressful but we made it! On our way, I realized that I had forgotten to pack my three bathing suits and beach covers. This was a predicament because Asian sizing is small for average sized Westerners, nevermind this body! Unbelievably, I found a bathing suit that fit in the only hut selling suits along the beach.
The beach was lovely and reminiscent of previous beach trips to Thailand. For T's birthday, we rented a private boat to tour three island locations where we snorkeled, swam, fished with line wrapped over a water bottle, had a bbque on the boat but passed on the cliff diving. Other highlights were the glorious sunsets, massages and delicious fruit on the beach.
We saw the kids off today and I thought I was prepared for goodbye. I had offered to fly back with them and stay for a while in January, but neither of them wanted me to because they are so busy with school and life in Toronto. Saying goodbye, I felt like my heart was being ripped out and I could barely choke words out. But, I know that goodbye is only temporary and that we would probably not have had such intensely devoted time together if we were simply living life together. They are thriving in Toronto, love living together and have family close by if they need anything. The painful goodbyes will be healed with intensely joyous hellos in the future. God assured me He would provide for them if we followed Him to Cambodia and He keeps His promises!
It's New Year's Eve and there is a huge party right outside our gate, complete with tables and chairs set up, live music on a stage, loudspeakers and dancing. Happy New Year!
This traveler who can take or leave the trips plans to cross Laos off the list in April for the Khmer New Year holiday. We are deciding dates for a summer home visit and if Greg will come this year.
