Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I know this is a difficult time for many, but I just wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and that I’m grateful for each and every one of you.  When I look at your names, I realize how lucky I am that our paths have crossed…and as you know I have taken many paths, many roads in my travels and what I do.  But there you are following my adventure while making your own!
    One thing I have discovered as I meet people from all over…we are more alike than different.  We all want the same thing, have the same desires…and the same fears.  It’s amazing to me!  And maybe that’s what can bond us in this journey.
God Speed!!!
Diane

I love Halloween!!!

                                                       

Nervous about the election...LOL

Celebrating!!!

Just when we thought we were out of the woods...back for two weeks doing only Online and my first time from home!  Two laptops and lots of caffeine!!!

Now Cambodia does not celebrate Thanksgiving, but they're ready for Black Friday and...

...we're not the only ones who rush Christmas LOL

MAKE IT A SPECIAL TIME THIS YEAR:)

The Killing Fields and lighter material/photos

Hello Everyone!

A few months ago I had gone to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum right in the heart of PP.  Just a few days ago, I actually went to the Killing Fields about ½ hour outside of city center...once again I was moved to tears. 

Please know these pictures are very disturbing.  If you haven't seen the movie, The Killing Fields or read the book, it's a must!  Two million died under the regime of the dictator, Pol Pot.

A stupa honoring those who had been killed.

                                 These are mass graves.  People were thrown in this pit beheaded.

Another one of just women and children naked.  One can only imagine what they endured!

This was the most disturbing!  Children were strapped to this tree and beaten to death.  I thought about the 500+ border children who have been separated from their parents with probably no chance of being reunited.  PLEASE VOTE...VOTE FOR THESE CHILDREN, FOR YOUR OWN AND FOR ALL THE CHILDREN EVERYWHERE.    

Loudspeakers were attached to this tree to drown out the screams of those dying.

Usually there are a lot of tourists at this site, but because of Covid, I was the only one walking around.  It was an eerie feeling...almost peaceful and yet, how could it be with what happened here.  

Never again...sound familiar.

The next section is filled with photos of my life in PP and the lives of others.  But on that day I was struck with the horror that humans can do to each other.  But I'm also optimistic:) 

                                                           The best gin in town!

Sunday lineup of tuk tuks.

                                                 Always like a good cup of coffee!

                            It's crazy Halloween at the Aeon Mall.  I have my witch hat!!!

                              This is the rainy season and it can be scary when riding in a tuk tuk!!!

                                         I love checking out how much people can carry on a motorcycle!

This is my classroom trying to keep the kids 1.5 meters apart.  This is hybrid teaching and next week all 16 will be back in class, BUT still with major restrictions.

                                                                 My lunch:)

                                                       The face shield teachers!

We just had parent conferences and a parent brought us my fav drink.  Speaking of teachers...let me tell you this is a tough job with all the Covid going on...so, please hug a teacher, buy a teacher a gift certificate:)

Thought I would end on a peaceful note...there are a lot of temples/pagodas in Cambodia.  The country is 98% Buddhist.  I did find out that temples and pagodas are the same except temples are a lot bigger...and they really are huge!

                                                                NAMASTE

Angkor Wat

 Greetings to all!

I just returned from a wonderful trip to Angkor Wat north of PP about a 5 hour drive except this was holiday time for the Cambodians so it took us closer to 7 hours, BUT well worth it!  I stayed at the Rambutan Resort in Siem Reap, the town just outside of the magnificent temples.  All 2000 of them!!!  It was so much more than what I had even expected…again the largest religious edifice in the world, bigger than the Vatican!!!  I’m returning at Christmas time.

Please enjoy.

You are still in my thoughts…arkoun,

Diane

Room with a view.

No tourists, but....

Ta Prohm.  Angelina Jolie filmed Lara Croft here.

Angkor Wat AW (please see link) at sunrise.  It started as a Hindu temple and then Buddhist.  It has an interesting history.

 

Usually there are 1000s of tourists!

My wonderful driver/guide, Sokay.

Many bridges.

This may be how I feel about hybrid teaching!

Angkor Thom Temple

A walk along the Siem River close to my hotel.

French press coffee

It had been raining so I took liberties with my camera.

Rice fields inside the complex.

Selling all sorts of things including fried frogs.  

A pathway across the marsh leading to....

I have so much to explore when I return:)

In a Bubble

Greetings to all!

I feel like I’m in a bubble here especially compared to the U.S. and even more so with the fires in California.  We observe wearing face masks, but not all and most places are open except for the Palace to protect the King (see my blog photo and explanation).  Many stores, banks, etc. will check your temp.  The most restrictions seem to be with schools.  We have been online for a few weeks and now starting Monday we are teaching hybrid…we’re all just looking at each other holding our breath.  I am excited to have some students in the classroom😊

My photos are a mixture of facts and fun and maybe in the middle of all of this you might find some levity.

We have a few days off this coming week and I’m heading to the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat hours north of PP…the largest religious edifice in the world, bigger than the Vatican!!!  I will be taking lots of photos!!!

You are in my thoughts…arkoun,

Diane

Views from my apartment.

I really want to see the inside of this apartment with all the plants!

I thought this was "fur" hanging from his bike, but alas chickens with a short life span!

My classroom and Ms. Nary looking out to the city...great view!

I found a Starbucks while walking home from school:)

The Palace is on the right and I thought I was given permission to walk down this street until I turned around and a motorcycle policeman was telling me otherwise!

Looking back across the river to the city and Palace.  The sky is spectacular in PP.

The Mekong River where people live and fish and sell their wares...

...such as this lobster.

It's very inexpensive to eat out.  I got this pizza with anchovies at Luigi's around the corner.  Maybe the best I've ever had:)

Well, on a Friday afternoon I stopped at the Elephant Bar in the Raffles Hotel...I'll be back!!!  I've been to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore with my friend, Nancy and this is just as nice:)