Sunday 25 December 2022

Returning Home...a postscript


I thought one more post might be warranted as I ponder and plan.  My blog posts seem somehow left dangling with my thoughts about leaving and no mention of how life has unfolded returning home after 26 months.  When I undertook volunteering in Cambodia, one of my curiosities was to know how it would feel coming home after such a long time away.  Well, it wasn't at all what I had anticipated as quite often is the case. And, has my time away changed me?  Most definitely!

Nine years later: 

Arriving to the orderly boarding at the Vancouver International Airport then to the quiet streets of Kelowna were very weird indeed.  After the chaos of SE Asia everything in Canada looked clean and empty.  The streets were void of traffic and for the most part there was no litter to be seen.  Walking into my house was so strange as everything was exactly like I had left it thanks to my house-sitters.  It felt great to be in my lovely home again nestled and comfortable.  I got it to just how I wanted it with a beautiful garden, new wiring, a new septic field and tank, a new furnace and hot water tank...then I sold it!  

Reintegrating into Canadian life was much more difficult than I expected.  I missed the close connection and the inclusion that the folks in Cambodia offered so naturally.  I had changed!  It has been a struggle psychologically and my sympathies still side with the disadvantaged.  My heart aches for the people around the world who are dying to change their lives and the lives of their countrymen and women for the better. I certainly have a much more intimate insight into what life is like in a developing country.  I try not to criticize what I don't understand. 

It is hard to believe that I've been home almost nine years and Cambodia is still very much a part of me.  I miss all the connections I had, the wonderful people, and the extraordinary resilience of a country struggling to move forward. Savann my trusted assistant, has gotten married and has a son Oudom, and together with Smey, they live with her parents in Sisophon.  

As for my life...

I decided to take up back-country ski touring which has become my very favourite activity.  There is nothing better then getting into the mountains, away from the crowds, and making turns in the deep powder.  Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing still play a part in my most favourite season, winter.  In the summer, I hike and backpack trying to get to parts of B.C. and the world where I haven't been.  

My travels have taken me to Norway to visit my dear long-time friends Elisabeth and Kjell-Fredrik for a winter adventure, to Scotland with Elisabeth and Kjell-Fredrik hiking the West Highland Way, to Botswana (South Africa, and Zimbabwe) on a safari. I finally made it to the Vowell Glacier, spending 4 days mountaineering in the Bugaboo Mountains of B.C.   This year I backpacked in the Yukon, in Tombstone Territorial Park, and rafted the Grand Canyon for 7 days before hiking from the bottom to the top of the South Rim.  Ski trips to the backcountry are in the offing this winter, and in the summer I am hoping to visit my niece in Greece, and rendez-vous with Elisabeth and Kjell-Fredrik for a backpacking trip somewhere in Europe.  Perhaps I'll even fit in visits with other friends and relatives in Europe while I'm there. 

My beautiful home and acreage in Grand Forks were sold 5+ years ago and I've relocated to Nelson.  I definitely miss my friends and the lovely community of Grand Forks but moving into a condo in Nelson was a good move as it gets me closer to my much loved mountains and to like-minded folks.  

Who knows what the future holds?  My goal is to live what is left of this wonderful life to the fullest.  My time in Cambodia has taught me so much about kindness, generosity, and love.  My connections to Cambodia will remain a piece of my heart. 


 






Here's to more adventures and a celebration of life-time of experiences.  Signing off.  

Andrea

Saturday 4 January 2014

Holidays, China, and I'M COMING HOME SOON!!!!






Yikes, it has been awhile!

In the meantime...I'll go back to October and the first of the Khmer fall holidays.

October is Pchum Ben, the significant Buddhist holiday honouring ancestors. It is a statement to the remarkable quality of wishing those who did wrong, redemption, as well as revering those who came before us.  People bring food to the pagoda so the ancestors have something to sustain them, for some, while they are making the transition from the "underworld" to a better place.  We all know that there have been some truly nasty deed committed here.  A visit to the pagoda on Pchum Ben demonstrated how much Buddhism is really a peoples religion.  It is comfortable, relaxed, respectful, and very social.  The prayers with the monk are quiet and with only a few, taking all of about 3 minutes, then everyone visits with the monk for a while before taking the blessed food to lay it out for the ancestors before feeding everyone else.  

Socialising with the monk.

Blessing the food.

Feeding the ancestors. 

Food for everyone. 

Heading home from the pagoda.  


In November I went to China.  China was such a pleasant surprise!  It was cold AND I LOVED IT!  I was afraid that it would be uncomfortable but feeling the cold on my face all day then having that warm flush when you get back inside, reminded me of home.  The people, few of whom could speak English, were much friendlier than I had expected.  Almost everyone where we were drove electric motos and just about every house had solar panels on its roof!  The real treat was oh so fresh mandarins...that's right...just in time for the Christmas season.

Guilin, a lovely city in the south of China



Phana really does live up to the Khmer reputation of eating anything.  One day it was lungs!!! Most of the time I didn't want to ask.  


Hmm!  This is the first at seeing this variety of toilet!  Adds new meaning to "pit stop". 

Oh so very delicious mandarins!

Gotta love translations!  As we head up to the rice terraces. 





Getting warm in the c-c-c-ool of the mountains. 









Goodbye rice terraces...



...hello karsts!!!



Just ducky!

Speaking of just ducky....


It's a good life rafting over weirs with an expert at the helm.




Okay! Okay!  The last picture of Karsts!  

What is a trip to China without hand-painted fans...

...and dragons!

There were just so many beautiful spots, it was hard to decide which photos to include.  It was an awesome trip of hiking, biking, and laughter with 3 very beautiful people, Anna, Phana, and Vy.  

So, now I am at a difficult part, continue with the update or save it for another blog...however, the adage of leave them asking for more eludes me at the moment...only because I don't know if I can manage another blog before I leave.  My apologies if you have HAD enough! 

I have had such a fantastic time with people from home.  First, Nina and Phil McGirr were in Kep for a few days.  They were the first of a few visitors from home.  I must say, it felt incredible to see their familiar faces. 
Then, there was Maya Kohn, who added a Cambodia extension to her adventures. At the same time, Pierre Lemire and Wendy, met up with us in Siem Reap then followed me to Phnom Penh. And, most recently, Toby Carson and his family.  I can't say how delighted I was to see everyone.  Maya had me eating crickets, and, with Wendy and Savann, we had our feet tickled in a "fish" spa.  Now that was an experience.  Wish I had the photos!  If your feet are at all sensitive, it is the most bizarre sensation, I must say.  Unfortunately, no pictures of Phil, Nina, Pierre,Wendy, or Toby.  Guess we were too busy catching up. 
Taking Maya to one of my schools in the old neighbourhood of my first placement in Banteay Meanchey.

It was unbelievable seeing everyone again.

Apparently, the children were so excited that we were coming...

...the couldn't sit still until we arrived. 

Our escort to and from the school as the road was washed out.

A final farewell as the students followed us down the road.


Angkor Wat


Banteay Srey

And, finally, some shots of my New Year's Eve celebration at the Provincial Office of Education.  The Khmer love to sing, dance, and toast to everyone's health and happiness.  

Lots of food...

POE director and deputy director singing (lots of experience in Karaoke I think) 

Lots of cheering...

My colleagues having fun...

...and dancing for 5 hours straight!!!

It's all in the hands...see me? 



That's it folks...you're all caught up with what I have been up to.  Now, I am all consumed by the thoughts of returning home.  When I start thinking about it, I have this almost overwhelming feeling of happiness at seeing everyone again.  Oh, the imaginings of all the luxuries, food I have missed, and the beautiful outdoors.  To be in my own house, in my own bed, with clean sheets, after a long bath, ooooo I can't tell you how awesome that will be.  Most of all, I can almost feel the hugs as I reconnect with you guys, the best friends in the world!!!!!  See you soon after April 08th.  Counting down.... Until then, have a blast!!!!


Wishing you all A MOST AMAZING 2014!!!!


Hugs, thoughts, and, love
Andrea   a.k.a. Andy