If it weren't for the butterflies over the mounds and the sounds of laughter from the children from the school down the road, I don't know how well I could have stomached the Killing Fields. Reading and even watching documentaries couldn't prepare you for the sight of the pagoda of skulls and the bones and fragments of cloth on the ground, and the flocks of maimed children (three words on my mind: landmines, kids, exhorters) on the streets in front of tourist attractions. Nonetheless, Cambodia is a vibrant country. Having chats with our local tour guides and vendors, especially ones my age, there is a desire and a persistence in this beautiful people to learn and to build their country. Yesterday in the night market in Siem Reap, I noticed that the boy vendor had the same French cahier that I used before in French class so I struck up a conversation. He knew that Canada was bilingual and asked which part of English Canada I was from. Today as we were traveling to Angkor Wat Archeological Park, there were campaign trucks all over the streets for election day this Sunday. Our tour guide was telling us how the young people today learn about democracy. You can't imagine how happy I was to hear that, that the people here want it and are interested. Can you believe our tour guide worked for the UN as a translator for Cambodia''s first elections in 1993? A large part of me is still incredibly saddened by the events of the last thirty years in this country (no one cared!), but looking at the impressive sandstone, still standing wats...reminds me that the Khmer people also had a magnificent past. They had a massive canal system established so early! What happened in the 20th century...And these sculptures that still stand today, I wonder what we will leave behind 1000 years from now, definitely not IKEA furniture. LOL There is nothing like walking through 1000 year old ruins...

On a lighter note, I enjoy Cambodian food much more...because it isn't spicy! Yes I can finally eat curry and I love noodle soup which is everywhere.

We also visited a local NGO the other day in Phnom Penh where kids, many orphans learn dance and performance. I was thinking to myself the whole time...can I do front line development work? Much more appreciation to aid workers and missionaries.