Babs’ travels -The Peking to Paris Rally and other driving adventures.

I am now back in Siem Reap for just a couple of weeks, this time with George.  He will be kept very busy helping to upgrade the computer systems and generally sorting any computer problems out.  The welcome at the airport from Lori, Fifi, Alice and Yaya was fantastic. The kids had drawn lovely picture for me and it was hugs and kisses all round from them  from the rest of the family, when we arrived at the house. We arrived here yesterday and got straight into it by going to visit a dormitory where some girls from remote, rural areas are staying in order to go to the High School here in Siem Reap.  This place was built, at no small cost, a few years ago by an NGO.  There are a couple of classrooms that are very well equipped with furniture. In fact, they have a super abundance of brand new, unused office style chairs.  How it was decided that these were necessary is a mystery.  There are a further couple of rooms full of very basic bunk beds and a la...

I'v been home for nearly a month now and whilst it is lovely to see all of my family again Cambodia is still very much in my thoughts.  The saying that travel changes you is overused.  All of life's experiences change you in some way. Life is an evolution and everything plays it's part.  I have travelled to many places and seen wonderful things and all my travels have shaped me to different degrees but nowhere comes close to affecting me the way that Cambodia has.  I am busy sorting out another visit, hopefully before setting off on our drive from Peking to Paris.  I will also visit again for a longer time next winter.  The problems that Cambodia has are very complex and  change will be very slow.  But, the only hope for the country to function and progress normally, is to educate all of the children to give them a chance in life. My part in all that is just a grain of sand but I am determined to do all that I can.  Poor, poor Cambodia, abu...