Cambodia = I wish my eyeballs were cameras

Wow, wow, wow. I'm up late sitting in our beautiful hotel lobby writting this. It's still warm, and little frogs are hopping around my feet. It's hard to put into words my few days in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I wish my eyeballs were cameras and my brain was a DVR. I want to give this country a huge hug, put it in my suitcase, and bring it home.

My first time in SE Asia, and Cambodia's been an amazing introduction. Ancient culture, tuk tuk rides, crazy markets, luxury hotel, beautiful people, hot and dusty, cool and lush - this is a country full of of contrasts. The air smells amazing (a combination of incense for the Buddha, Durian, petrol and ???) and the people have been more than welcoming and warm. EVERYONE is on a motorcycle, and life is lived at the edge of the road. My highlights in Cambodia have been:

1. Angkor Wat - everything that has been written or said is true. This is a must see place.
2. Our tuk tuk driver Sam (pronounced Sahm) - he's been our go-to and can-do guy who has taken us everywhere.
3. Kapong Phhluk - an amazing floating village on the edge of Tonle Sap (immense freshwater lake - think Lake Michigan). Sam took us there as a surprise today. It blew my mind, I tried to take a bazzilion pics, but of course my battery died.

Tomorrow we're off to see Angkor one last time at sunrise. Then we'll fly to Pakse, Laos. It'll be hard to leave this place behind, but I know there's more incredible stuff ahead. I'll do a seperate post with Angkor Wat pictures when I have time. Until then, ankun chreaon (thank you) for reading. More to come.

Grateful

We just received 8 large boxes full of suitcases and bags courtesy of Jansport. They heard about our adventure and told us - "pick out anything you want"!

Justin, Rachel, Sara and I will be outfitted with Jansport luggage on our arrival in Laos in 5 days! We've filled them with donated soccer balls, pens, pencils, clothes and medical supplies. Also along for the trip -- 10 Jansport briefcase bags filled with teaching supplies for all the teachers at Ban Na Mouang Elementary School.

People's generosity in this busy, holiday season has been overwhelming. Our hearts are full as we get ready to share with people who need it.



Donated Jansport luggage and briefcases!



Donated school supplies for the kids!



Donated medical supplies!



Donated soccer balls -- Thank you Chris Kent!

Thank you, Seattle!!

Footlaos was amazing!

We raised enough for:

• A concrete floor in all 6 classrooms
• Health and science textbooks for all 4th and 5th graders
• Additional books for the school library
• School supplies; pens, pencils, notebooks and paper
• Miscellaneous art supplies and "fun" stuff for the kids

346 students at Ban Na Muang Elementary are going to be very, very happy.

A huge thank you to all who came and all who donated. You're helping us make a difference directly and significantly in many people's lives.

We leave on December 16th, and will be at the village, in Laos by December 22nd. Check back often as I'll be updating photos and thoughts as Justin, Rachel, Sara, Brian and I travel through Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Until then, enjoy some pics from our "Footlaos" fundraiser courtesy of Usnaps.