Postcard from Ellen – January, 2025
Hello everyone, I haven’t been blogging as much this trip. I realized it’s partly because there are so many followers I have been feeling self conscious. But also because, like many of you the craziness around the USA has gotten me very down at times and I wanted the blog to be more positive and entertaining. Traveling is a distraction at times, but also I get anxious about our government becoming so focused on being not only rude but isolationist. Last trip I was proud. This trip I find myself apologizing, being laughed at as in “what is the US thinking!?”. The Danes are appalled and laughing, the Germans are understanding and “have been there done that,”, the British think the whole world is crazy! Luckily, I don’t feel hated or have things thrown at me yet. I try to maintain a “this too will pass and wait and see attitude “. Enough!
The poverty is more noticeable in Laos and Cambodia than it was in Thailand. The hunger for a tourist economy is also stronger and not as established but getting there. I have to be careful to remember that bartering at a market which is expected here , is really only about a 1$ difference most of the time. There is a lot more English in Cambodia then I expected too.
I often think about my 44 years as a social worker and how much a part of me it is. Not being licensed anymore is odd. I’m not sure yet how I feel about it, but I am getting into not working ! I’ve said more in private emails, but taking a month at the beach place “ Journey’s End “ ( fitting end to 44 years) was perfect for contemplating ideas about next steps. I hope our health will hold out for 5 more years of traveling . I don’t think it will be for such extended stays though. I do miss our dog! Oh! And family and friends
We find ourselves looking for and supporting lots of restaurants and tours that are NGO abuses to help the area villages, schools and orphanages. This trip our medical tours have been more Steve related so far. I highly recommend Thailand! Also the massages here are fantastic and unbelievably cheap! Pharmacies can give you over the counter antibiotics for things like a cough we both got.
The most fun is meeting all the travel buddies. At a coffee shop today the family of Germans just walked by and joined us! We. Had met them in Thailand.
Siem Reap We Loved You
Siem Reap will go down as one of our favorite cities so far. It’s only about 200,000 people, many who seem to be dedicated to the tourist industry. Our hotel was perfectly placed, well within walking distance to cafes and markets.
I need to give some gratitude to my Slalom water bottle. It has stood the test of time for over 7 years, but finally it was time for it to retire. Like many of us in aging years, it started to leak a bit.
And finally, we need to mention the restaurant Haven. This restaurant puts at risk kids through a 16 month program to work in the kitchen or front end of restaurants. It is supported by a Swiss chef and his spouse. They have a foundation to support the school. The restaurant shares tips between the students and staff, putting the student’s tips into savings accounts that they are given upon graduation. This not only builds self-esteem, but gives them something to start their new professions with. The training is so good, that many go to 4 and 5 star restaurants.
We had dinner there with Sherri and Marty once, and weren’t able to get in again until the morning we left.
