Lingerlonger

Familiar yet foreign. Yes, Ive been to Bali too. The faint smell of smoke, the uneven cobbled roads, the dogs, the humidity and the frangipani. But this trip is different. The street children with their cute, dirty, upturned pleading faces, imploring me to buy postcards and bracelets appal me. Because education on day 1 oF this very different tour has taught that these children should be in school. Education is provided for all children. But these little children are sent by adults to sell to tourists because their earning capacity is more than the adults. They miss out on their education. Repeatedly I have the question posed by children “Where are you from? If I tell you the capital of Australia, your prime minister, your population, will then you buy from me?....Maybe later?” What a terrible situation that this brings a sale and then perpetuates the cycle. Lesson no 1 – only buy from adults to so encourage them to be the salesmen and allow their children to go to school.


We visited temples and the cultural history of Cambodia came to life through the stories of Hindu and Buddism. The little movie here shows our guide Ritcy telling us the story of ingollonger. Phillipa sent a prayer up. David has been so fascinated by the whole temple experience that we have lost him 3 times so far. David has 4 names already in his title – David Michael Graham R… but he now has another one…David Lingerlonger Michael…..another Cambodian deity to create legends.

Our first encounter with a humanitarian aid program was in the form of a visit to the blind and deaf school. The children were pleased to meet us and we sang songs. Suran – a 16 year old girl who I would have picked for only 8 if Id had to guess – is still in my spirit . Practising her English on me without any embarrassment but with great gales of laughter she held my hand and warmed my heart. Today we are spending the whole day at Green Gecko school for street kids. John Sheahan’s toothed handpuppet will be featured in dental hygiene demonstrations and after the little taste of yesterday we are looking forward today with huge enthusiasm. Lead on Lena!!!!!