Dedicated to Neal and Jim:
So approximately 3 weeks ago two gentlemen, whose names appear above, put together a pool. Now, for disclaimer's sake, I understand an appreciate the dark humor of the two! Thus, the pool was called the "Parasite Pot," which collected money to award the first student who contracted the first parasite of the trip. OK, OK, this sounds horrible.....but let me give you a little history on the group. First of all, as with all groups, the dynamics are always tested. Some individuals fell ill from the stress of traveling (as in my case with the Strep Throat the first week) and some becuase they do NOT listen (as in the case with those who had ice, poorly cooked food and fresh veggies). So, you can imagine with a group of headstrong individuals who heed no warnings.....something was bound to pop up in one of our bodies!
I won the pot. No I am not joking. I, one of the careful ones, who listened and attempted to eat and drink as safely as possible took home the title of "Parasite Pot." I can laugh at it now, but at 3am - after the experience of the Brothel and Angkor - I begged my roomate and Dr. Susan to just let me die!!!! I have NEVER in my life experienced pain so bad in my life. To make a long and disgusting story short and lacking gross details: I contracted Giardia and experienced Ecoli poisoning. Thank God Susan took this trip with us. She was a godsend! I received medication for the Giardia and began antibiotics for the poisoning. I was taken to an SOS clinic in Phnom Pehn as soon as we arrived from Siem Reap. The diagnosis was exactly as Susan had treated me for. I am feeling much better now. I am still watching what I am eating and have cramping, but I do have medication for that as well. At least I am alive! HAHA, just kidding....well this is my last night in Ho Chi Minh city before leaving for the airport at 315am.
Peace ~ Ashley & the Siem Reaper (yes I named it - I earned that priveledge!)
***Just to update on this post....I am doing considerable better. I have to have some bloodwork and other tests ran, but as long as I continue to stay hydrated, I feel better. Thank you Susan and the rest of the gang for supporting me. As you all know I HATE attention drawn to me, so your patience and understanding means so much. Susan, thank you for sacrificing yourself and your sanity to keep this group together. We were truly blessed having you for over a month.
Ash
Saturday, June 16, 2007
My professor took me to Angkor and a brothel!!!!!
Hello again - What a crazy night! First of all we visited an agency today that helps girls at risk for human trafficking to learn a better way of life and new respected skills so that they can reintegrate into their communities and make a living. The agency also utilizes grassroots efforts and community organizing to educate local communities about the trauma of domestic violence, which may lay the framework for trafficking. I purchased an intricate silk scarf that one of the girls made. It took her about a week and I met her. All of the monies made from the purchase of the scarves and material goes directly into an account of the girl who made the product, therefore she will have money to begin her new life from.
After visiting this agency, we began our adventure to Angkor. If last night was not awesome enough (the sunset at Phnom Bakeng was amazing!), today we visited two temple complexes: Bayon and Angkor Wat!!!! I had to literally pinch myself so that I would know I wasnt dreaming! I was in awe of the magnificance around me and the history that unfolded centuries before. I took several pictures, but to just climb and roam around the complex by myself and experience the spiritual side was more important to me. I just took it in, I cant explain the experience....just understand that pictures would not have done justice.
We had an active day and ended it by celebrating Chi's birthday at the Cambodian Kitchen. Then we were invited to partake in something that few will ever have the opportunity to experience from an outsider's view: We visited an open brothel! I have to admit that I was scared, but as with all activities on this trip, the professors have taken measures to assure our absolute safety! Due to our studies on trafficking, particularly the sex/human trade, this activity was more research than an evening out. We split up into groups so that we would not look as obvious and played the parts of tourists out to have a good time. I had no idea what I was walking into: From first impression it looked like a bar, much like we see at home. However, as we made our way through the bar, we soon saw the horror that we had been studying! A fish bowl full of women, most younger than myself, on display with numbers attached to their scantaly clad bodies. We had built a rapport with the bar workers and made our way into the fish bowl area where we observed the behavior of the workers as well as masses of men who came and left quicker than paying for a meal through a fast food drivethrough. It sickened me to see this, but after talking with a couple of the women (girls) there it was obvious that not all were there because they were debt bonded, but because they can make more in one night than they could in a month having a trade or education. How do I process this.....I am still processing it. It angers me. It brings out the hate I have for the men with money who throw it around and humiliate these women, girls and young boys. I am still processing it.....more to come.
Ash
After visiting this agency, we began our adventure to Angkor. If last night was not awesome enough (the sunset at Phnom Bakeng was amazing!), today we visited two temple complexes: Bayon and Angkor Wat!!!! I had to literally pinch myself so that I would know I wasnt dreaming! I was in awe of the magnificance around me and the history that unfolded centuries before. I took several pictures, but to just climb and roam around the complex by myself and experience the spiritual side was more important to me. I just took it in, I cant explain the experience....just understand that pictures would not have done justice.
We had an active day and ended it by celebrating Chi's birthday at the Cambodian Kitchen. Then we were invited to partake in something that few will ever have the opportunity to experience from an outsider's view: We visited an open brothel! I have to admit that I was scared, but as with all activities on this trip, the professors have taken measures to assure our absolute safety! Due to our studies on trafficking, particularly the sex/human trade, this activity was more research than an evening out. We split up into groups so that we would not look as obvious and played the parts of tourists out to have a good time. I had no idea what I was walking into: From first impression it looked like a bar, much like we see at home. However, as we made our way through the bar, we soon saw the horror that we had been studying! A fish bowl full of women, most younger than myself, on display with numbers attached to their scantaly clad bodies. We had built a rapport with the bar workers and made our way into the fish bowl area where we observed the behavior of the workers as well as masses of men who came and left quicker than paying for a meal through a fast food drivethrough. It sickened me to see this, but after talking with a couple of the women (girls) there it was obvious that not all were there because they were debt bonded, but because they can make more in one night than they could in a month having a trade or education. How do I process this.....I am still processing it. It angers me. It brings out the hate I have for the men with money who throw it around and humiliate these women, girls and young boys. I am still processing it.....more to come.
Ash
Home?
Hello all,
I arrived back to my home in the US at around 230am on Thursday morning. I have spent the last couple of days trying to get back to a "normal" sleeping pattern. I have saved several of my posts that I didnt publish, so now would probably be a good time to do that. For whatever reason, probably because I didnt finish them, I just wanted to wait until I returned to finish them. I will also be posting pics periodically, but if you cant wait then email me or check out the myspace and facebook accounts that I set up. Thank you for your warm welcome back home, but I hope you understand how bittersweet it truly is. As I have stated before, this was a huge step in many ways for me. Its opened doors that I never knew existed, professionally-personally-emotionally. I suppose this is a normal reaction, but I am saddened to come back. I do have my memories, which are still vivid as the days I spent there! I dont want to say goodbye, but until next time. Hope you enjoy the saved posts....they get interesting!
Peace ~ Ash
I arrived back to my home in the US at around 230am on Thursday morning. I have spent the last couple of days trying to get back to a "normal" sleeping pattern. I have saved several of my posts that I didnt publish, so now would probably be a good time to do that. For whatever reason, probably because I didnt finish them, I just wanted to wait until I returned to finish them. I will also be posting pics periodically, but if you cant wait then email me or check out the myspace and facebook accounts that I set up. Thank you for your warm welcome back home, but I hope you understand how bittersweet it truly is. As I have stated before, this was a huge step in many ways for me. Its opened doors that I never knew existed, professionally-personally-emotionally. I suppose this is a normal reaction, but I am saddened to come back. I do have my memories, which are still vivid as the days I spent there! I dont want to say goodbye, but until next time. Hope you enjoy the saved posts....they get interesting!
Peace ~ Ash
Friday, June 8, 2007
Cambodia!!!
Hey Guys!
Thank you so very much for all your comments! I am bittersweet at this point because it is almost over....but so much to come! We arrived by boat to Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Vietnam on Wednesday. This country is so beautiful, but to tell you the truth, knowing the corruption and trafficking saddens me! We visited the Genocide Museum from Pol Pot regime as well as toured the city of Phnom Penh. We thing visited the King's Palace.....it was truly breathtaking. I have never visited a palace or been able to stand 10 feet away from a throne!!! The best part of Phnom Penh so far was meeting a street child who Dr. Newfield, Dr. Newfield and Jim Keim met with last year. She was at risk of being swept up in the sex traficking buisness, however she is doing well and continuing with school. I was able to meet and interview with her two nights in a row and am able to communicate with her via email. She is 17 and works selling books on the street to tourists and travelers to pay her way through school. Her dream is to go to the university!! More details to come when I return home!
We arrived in Siem Reap today after a 5 hour long bus ride. We saw beautiful country side, rice fields and the opportunity to eat insects! WOW - no, I did NOT partake in this activity. Actually, none of us did. The pictures will say it all! Anyway, we are in a nice hotel and were able to visit one temple of the Angkor Wat temples. I stayed until sunset and have AMAZING Pictures! I can not believe that I am here experiencing this! Tomorrow we are visiting a social service agency and then spending the day at Angkor Wat! The people here are so sweet and I have a new favorite food, PASSION FRUIT! My breakfast of choice now! We will be traveling back to Phnom Penh on Sunday and then will be going back to Ho Chi Minh City until we leave on the 13th.
As I said before, this is truly bittersweet. I have experienced so much in so little time. I have made some incredible friends all over the world! I am blessed and humbled. I cant express what I feel....I miss home, but this is ending so soon. The world is so wide open to me right now, there are so many things out there that I never understood or entertained the idea of doing. Lots to think about on my 18 hour plane ride home!
Well, I am not sure how often I will be able to post on here in the next days as I am literally breathing it ALL in! Thank you all for your support and know that this is a dream come true in so many ways that I can only touch on.
Peace ~ Ash
Thank you so very much for all your comments! I am bittersweet at this point because it is almost over....but so much to come! We arrived by boat to Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Vietnam on Wednesday. This country is so beautiful, but to tell you the truth, knowing the corruption and trafficking saddens me! We visited the Genocide Museum from Pol Pot regime as well as toured the city of Phnom Penh. We thing visited the King's Palace.....it was truly breathtaking. I have never visited a palace or been able to stand 10 feet away from a throne!!! The best part of Phnom Penh so far was meeting a street child who Dr. Newfield, Dr. Newfield and Jim Keim met with last year. She was at risk of being swept up in the sex traficking buisness, however she is doing well and continuing with school. I was able to meet and interview with her two nights in a row and am able to communicate with her via email. She is 17 and works selling books on the street to tourists and travelers to pay her way through school. Her dream is to go to the university!! More details to come when I return home!
We arrived in Siem Reap today after a 5 hour long bus ride. We saw beautiful country side, rice fields and the opportunity to eat insects! WOW - no, I did NOT partake in this activity. Actually, none of us did. The pictures will say it all! Anyway, we are in a nice hotel and were able to visit one temple of the Angkor Wat temples. I stayed until sunset and have AMAZING Pictures! I can not believe that I am here experiencing this! Tomorrow we are visiting a social service agency and then spending the day at Angkor Wat! The people here are so sweet and I have a new favorite food, PASSION FRUIT! My breakfast of choice now! We will be traveling back to Phnom Penh on Sunday and then will be going back to Ho Chi Minh City until we leave on the 13th.
As I said before, this is truly bittersweet. I have experienced so much in so little time. I have made some incredible friends all over the world! I am blessed and humbled. I cant express what I feel....I miss home, but this is ending so soon. The world is so wide open to me right now, there are so many things out there that I never understood or entertained the idea of doing. Lots to think about on my 18 hour plane ride home!
Well, I am not sure how often I will be able to post on here in the next days as I am literally breathing it ALL in! Thank you all for your support and know that this is a dream come true in so many ways that I can only touch on.
Peace ~ Ash
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Groups and Kam Choie
Hey guys,
Just thought I would write a bit since I am on my lunch break and you guys are asleep! I just finished a session on aspects regarding groups and working with them. Helpful for work!! Anyway, we just discovered a well known secret here near the University....banana ice cream or what they call Kam Choie! My classmates ate the Kam Choie while I ate a sweet black bean and ice drink! An american english teacher here, Lillian, took us! It was delicious! Ok, well back to group work and class....as soon as I can find a cord I will try uploading pics....the ones of us eating different foods are hilarious! Some postcardish pics as well!
Ok, I will talk to you all soon! I have less than 10 days here now! :( Reverse culture shock will be horrible!!
Peace ~ Ashley
Just thought I would write a bit since I am on my lunch break and you guys are asleep! I just finished a session on aspects regarding groups and working with them. Helpful for work!! Anyway, we just discovered a well known secret here near the University....banana ice cream or what they call Kam Choie! My classmates ate the Kam Choie while I ate a sweet black bean and ice drink! An american english teacher here, Lillian, took us! It was delicious! Ok, well back to group work and class....as soon as I can find a cord I will try uploading pics....the ones of us eating different foods are hilarious! Some postcardish pics as well!
Ok, I will talk to you all soon! I have less than 10 days here now! :( Reverse culture shock will be horrible!!
Peace ~ Ashley
Sunday in Long Xuyen
Xin Chao ('sin chow' - hello),
Just wanted to check in. The whole city of Long Xuyen was down due to a storm last night. The cable, internet and power were all out except for places with backup generators--luckily this included our hotel. THus, it has only taken me like 23 minutes to load this page while I chat to my husband (who I miss!!!!!!!!!!!) online. HAHA, so I miss my DSL and Cabel modems!! I am guessing because the power was out in many places, the city was pretty calm. We had a relaxing Sunday, breakfast and some downtime and then my roomate and I took a rickshaw (sp??) to this awesome restaurant that serves these Vietnamese crepes, which are similar to an omlet...only 10 times better!!! Then we went shopping at their "big" mall, which is like a nice target with escalators and is 4 floors! HAHA, but seriously i found a few gifts for people, so I am really excited!
We have two more classes and then we will be traveling to Cambodia. I am really excited. I have waited all this time to see Angkor Wat and it is so soon!!! I will update more hopefully after the next two classes!
Thanks for all the messages.....Feel free to post or send me a message via Yahoo! email!
Peace ~ Ash
Just wanted to check in. The whole city of Long Xuyen was down due to a storm last night. The cable, internet and power were all out except for places with backup generators--luckily this included our hotel. THus, it has only taken me like 23 minutes to load this page while I chat to my husband (who I miss!!!!!!!!!!!) online. HAHA, so I miss my DSL and Cabel modems!! I am guessing because the power was out in many places, the city was pretty calm. We had a relaxing Sunday, breakfast and some downtime and then my roomate and I took a rickshaw (sp??) to this awesome restaurant that serves these Vietnamese crepes, which are similar to an omlet...only 10 times better!!! Then we went shopping at their "big" mall, which is like a nice target with escalators and is 4 floors! HAHA, but seriously i found a few gifts for people, so I am really excited!
We have two more classes and then we will be traveling to Cambodia. I am really excited. I have waited all this time to see Angkor Wat and it is so soon!!! I will update more hopefully after the next two classes!
Thanks for all the messages.....Feel free to post or send me a message via Yahoo! email!
Peace ~ Ash
Friday, June 1, 2007
Cham Village and Chau Doc
Hello All,
I just returned this evening from the town of Chau Doc. We first visited the Center for Individuals with Social Evils. This agency was basically a drug/alcohol rehabiliatioin center with vocational training as well. The director of this agency was in my collaborative group this week at our workshops at An Giang University, which I learned a great deal from. We were able to learn about drug rehabilitation in this country and meet with several of the "learner" at the facility. Music is a huge part of their recovery and free time, so they treated us with some songs, which were absolutely beautiful!
After this, we ate lunch at a roadside cafe and visited a pagoda that is dedicated to the female godess where this temple complex is visited by thousands of people a day...as it is thought to have healing properties. One experience that I had there was that many women came up to me and a couple of other females in our group and wanted to touch us. They wanted to feel our skin and because we are not skinny, wanted to hug us. They even patted us on the rears and touch other parts of my body. Personal space is NOT well recognized in this culture, but I have to say that we are like movie stars over here with the attention and staring that we get on a regular basis. When first experiencing this, I was stunned, but I have grown accustomed and interact more freely now! Its kinda nice to be seen as a "star!" We then traveled to a Cham village where we visited a Mosque and were invited to one of the follower's homes where we were shown beautiful embroidery linens.....Just wait to see what I got! The hospitality was amazing and this is one of the first times a group such as ours was permitted to visit this village!
Gotta go for now....more to come.
Peace ~ Ash
I just returned this evening from the town of Chau Doc. We first visited the Center for Individuals with Social Evils. This agency was basically a drug/alcohol rehabiliatioin center with vocational training as well. The director of this agency was in my collaborative group this week at our workshops at An Giang University, which I learned a great deal from. We were able to learn about drug rehabilitation in this country and meet with several of the "learner" at the facility. Music is a huge part of their recovery and free time, so they treated us with some songs, which were absolutely beautiful!
After this, we ate lunch at a roadside cafe and visited a pagoda that is dedicated to the female godess where this temple complex is visited by thousands of people a day...as it is thought to have healing properties. One experience that I had there was that many women came up to me and a couple of other females in our group and wanted to touch us. They wanted to feel our skin and because we are not skinny, wanted to hug us. They even patted us on the rears and touch other parts of my body. Personal space is NOT well recognized in this culture, but I have to say that we are like movie stars over here with the attention and staring that we get on a regular basis. When first experiencing this, I was stunned, but I have grown accustomed and interact more freely now! Its kinda nice to be seen as a "star!" We then traveled to a Cham village where we visited a Mosque and were invited to one of the follower's homes where we were shown beautiful embroidery linens.....Just wait to see what I got! The hospitality was amazing and this is one of the first times a group such as ours was permitted to visit this village!
Gotta go for now....more to come.
Peace ~ Ash
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