As we arrived at Angkor Wat this morning, we were quickly reminded this land does not belong to the people. It belongs to the monkeys. So, we took a few minutes to say “hello” to the homeowners who roam the … Continue reading →
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Getting on an elephant is not easy. My cousin Alice-Anne and her husband Robert’s trip to Cambodia began with an elephant trek to the top of a mountain. Our trek ended with a sunset over Angkor Wat viewed from the … Continue reading →
This week Cambodia will feel a lot different to me because two Thompson cousins will be landing in Siem Reap for a short visit. My cousin Alice-Anne and her husband, Robert live near Hiroshima, Japan. Alice-Anne is a dentist for … Continue reading →
If you follow me somewhat regularly, you’ll remember me telling you about six months ago that my host cousin was in a serious motorcycle accident in Puok. I told you that he had to have one of his legs amputated … Continue reading →
Friday morning I taught a couple hours before making my usual visit to the mango stand behind Puok High with my co-teacher, Socheat. As we sat on plastic stools next to the mangoes, I noticed a well-dressed Khmer man in … Continue reading →
Things are changing so fast outside my house that sometimes I can’t even keep up with what’s going on. This morning I was woken at 5:00am by loud, traditional Khmer music blaring from across the street. I assumed it was … Continue reading →
The United Nations-backed Khmer Rouge trial in Phnom Penh has had serious obstacles for a long time, but this week, officials say they’ve run out of money to pay hundreds of Cambodian trial workers. None of the 300 Cambodians working … Continue reading →
As fierce as Cambodia’s water buffaloes may look, they are mostly calm and friendly. You can see this guy let me say “Hello” up-close. I’m out of school a few days this week because of government testing in Puok High. … Continue reading →
She is the best mango seller at Puok High School. Not only that, but she has become my schoolyard love. Not a school day goes by without a visit to a woman I call “Ming” (Aunt). She, her husband and … Continue reading →
That’s my next-door neighbor Nuut standing in front of what will be a huge building next to my house. Part of the building, which will be finished this Fall, will be where Nuut and his family live. Their current wooden … Continue reading →
The following is a story I wrote that was published in the latest issue of a Siem Reap literary magazine called The Siem Reader. As Fast as I Can Pedal By: Travis Thompson My bike chain screeches. I’ve forgotten to … Continue reading →
Christmas treats from my Grandma “Mema”, Aunt Cathy and Aunt Sandy have made my life a little more exciting this week. Thank you! All the Peace Corps mail from the capital gets delivered to my Peace Corps friend Kyle’s apartment … Continue reading →
I returned home from school this afternoon (a day when more than a few students and teachers skipped class because of the Chinese New Year) to find my host mother sitting on the front steps handing out these special envelopes … Continue reading →
Today this roasted pig (the entire thing) showed up on our living room floor as part of the first day of Chinese New Year. My host mother is of Chinese descent so this is a very important holiday in our … Continue reading →
The morning after my host sister’s two-day wedding I was doing my part to clean our house. I was on my hands and knees scrubbing my bedroom floor when my host mother told me I needed to stand-in for our … Continue reading →
That’s my host sister as she came down the aisle about 27-hours into the two-day wedding. This is only one of 14 wedding dresses she wore. Here are some snapshots of (some of) the others: Now, for my most memorable … Continue reading →
I’ve been at school most of Monday, but my host family’s house has continued its massive wedding transformation. We’re now less than 13 hours from my host sister’s Tuesday 5:00am ceremony. Of course, I’ve been creeping around with my camera … Continue reading →
Sunday evening, I returned home from a weekend Peace Corps meeting in Phnom Penh to find my house transformed into a tent city. This Tuesday at 5:00am traditional music will blast from our front yard for all of Puok to … Continue reading →
Cambodia’s Mekong River is home to the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. Experts estimate there are fewer than 100 adults left in Cambodia. Other estimates say less than 70. This week the Cambodian government said it will join forces with experts … Continue reading →
I’m happy to report that fried pig brain tastes a lot like scrambled eggs. When it landed on my dinner table two nights ago in that bowl, it was flavored with lots of pepper and salt. It was soft and … Continue reading →
These are the words I hear daily when people call for my attention. The Khmer version is on the left (spelled in the way I think it sounds). The English equivalent is on the right. Both of my host sisters, … Continue reading →
These days walking through the campus of Puok High School is a bit of a challenge. You have to watch your step and take the long way to classrooms. There’s construction everywhere. The walkways to classrooms have always been dirt. … Continue reading →
On January 7 we’ll celebrate one of Cambodia’s most important national holidays, Victory Over Genocide Day. Considering what’s happening in our world right now—countless murders at the hands of leaders in places like Syria—it’s more important than ever to remember … Continue reading →
My wake-up call to get to the wedding came at 4:00am. That would’ve been alright had the wedding party not pushed me to “dike” (slam in one gulp) beer after beer the night before. First things first. I put on … Continue reading →
This isn’t really a “new” me, just a new lookin’ me. In preparation for my neighbor’s wedding tomorrow, in which I’ll be the best man, I’ve been busy. I spent time in the Puok Market buying new pants and having … Continue reading →
The bride and groom are friends of my host family. This was the first of two weddings I went to on the last day of 2011. And, I might add, these weddings had nothing to do with the two big … Continue reading →
Once a week the entire Puok High student body gathers in front of the school for announcements and the flag-raising ceremony. This week, during the last student gathering of 2011, our school director verbalized his New Year wishes through a … Continue reading →
This is my favorite Cambodian treat. It’s a mixed fruit shake with lots of condensed milk. It’s called, “duk-kro-loark”. My Aunt Cathy and Aunt Sandy will celebrate big birthdays before the end of 2011. So I figured I’d take them … Continue reading →
From January to December, this year gave me some of the biggest challenges, triumphs, sorrows, and joys I’ve ever experienced. Below are ten moments that changed my world in 2011 (in chronological order). 1. My giant extended family in America … Continue reading →
‘Spirit of Christmas Past‘ is a series of holiday memories that are keeping me warm this season. As if I needed to be any warmer… As I pushed the gas pedal with my right foot, my big, used Chevy truck … Continue reading →
I’m headed to Phnom Penh, Cambodia for Christmas weekend to stay with some friends and visit. I’m packing my Charlie Brown Christmas tree for the seven-hour trip South. It’s going to be a full backpack.
Part of the Peace Corps gig is to share your culture with those you live with. As you know, my host family has shared a lot of their culture and traditions. So, I shared Christmas with the students who study … Continue reading →
‘Spirit of Christmas Past‘ is a series of holiday memories that are keeping me warm this season. As if I needed to be any warmer… Fresh from the oven, it was golden brown with what looked like crunchy, baked Cornflakes … Continue reading →
That’s my host mother as she folds more than 1,000 wedding invitations. My host sister, Somaly, is getting married at our house Tuesday, January 17 (not to be confused with my neighbor’s wedding which is January 3. I’m the Best … Continue reading →
Cambodia is no longer off the beaten path. Tourism is in its youth following the Khmer Rouge era, and Cambodia is booming as a world destination. Still, could fast-paced development tarnish some of Cambodia’s treasures? This latest Cambodia tourism ad … Continue reading →
‘Spirit of Christmas Past‘ is a series of holiday memories that are keeping me warm this season. As if I needed to be any warmer… It was the only Christmas I recall getting in trouble, December 23, 1993. Mom and … Continue reading →
That’s my typical Khmer wedding outfit—the white shirt and black pants I wear to every wedding here. They’re looking worn out and dirty these days after so many hand-washings. I’m retiring this outfit after a shocking turn of events. About … Continue reading →
That’s my bed. I’ve been sleeping under my Peace Corps towel/blanket this week. I’ve shut off the fan. I’ve closed the window. We’re going through the blizzard of 2011. Yes, this week, night and morning temperatures have dropped to 66 … Continue reading →
‘Spirit of Christmas Past‘ is a series of holiday memories that are keeping me warm this season. As if I needed to be any warmer… I sat on the couch listening to the gentle clunk of fragile boxes as Mema, … Continue reading →
I live with a lot of geckos. But, this guy startled me when I found him on my bedroom wall Saturday. He’s much bigger than a gecko. And, he’s much more colorful—check out those orange dots on blue skin. I … Continue reading →
I these pictures Saturday night from my back balcony in Puok. My host mother came beating on my bedroom door to tell me to run outside and look. Soon, host cousins, aunts, and uncles were flocking to our house–everyone gazing … Continue reading →
This picture gives me chills. It’s from inside the United Nations-backed Extraordinary Chambers in Phnom Penh this week. Notice the genocide victims’ family members and monks watching in the background as accused genocide leader, Nuon Chea, takes the stand. I’m … Continue reading →
‘Spirit of Christmas Past‘ is a series of holiday memories that are keeping me warm this season. As if I needed to be any warmer… He was in over his head. The instructions couldn’t have been more confusing. The “2 … Continue reading →
After my first hour class Monday, Puok High’s school director flagged me down. He told me there was a bag that someone had left for me in the office while I was teaching. I wasn’t expecting anything, so this surprised … Continue reading →
A Chemistry teacher at Puok High who I’ve become friends with invited me for dinner at his family’s house. That’s his mother-in-law cooking over two open fires. Luckily, she loved my camera and all my questions. I expected traditional Khmer … Continue reading →
Note: This story is from September 2011 while I was away from Puok because of flooding. A large wave crashes into the boat, splashing my face, holding me hostage in the situation. I can barely make out a deserted, rocky … Continue reading →
Over the past 15 years great strides have been made in clearing landmines from Cambodian villages, roads, and jungles. Although leftover landmines are still a problem in parts of the country today, a lot of progress has been made in … Continue reading →
My host family’s 20-year-old live-in maid left for good last week. She had to go back to her village because her mother is in bad health and they need help harvesting their rice field. For the past few months she’s … Continue reading →
Over the weekend, I made a trip to Coat Tamay to deliver some gifts from the United States. This bag of awesome-ness was filled with school supplies, pens, notepads and maps for the library walls. The goodies came from Kim, … Continue reading →
I was invited to lunch with four wealthy Khmer men in their 40s and 50s. I accepted the invitation as a chance to get to know these guys a little better. We sat at a table in a house eating … Continue reading →
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