Four days in Cambodia

Cambodia, in contrast with Vietnam was welcoming and friendly. While they had as little as the Vietnamese and had also suffered incredible losses. I found they had somehow managed to be positive and proud of what they have left. It was a breath of fresh air and an immense emotional relief.

Our whirlwind tour included many of the most renowned temples, many amazing restaurants, entertaining experiences with locals, and evenings escaping from the heat. While there are many destinations higher on my list, I would happily return.

Ten days in Vietnam

The beginning of my trip was the first ten days in Vietnam as part of a fourteen day all-woman trip. A twelve-hour time difference and a 36 hour journey started me off exhausted but still excited.

The culture shock was just that - shocking. It is an entirely different world there, and none of our basics here are normal there. While doing my best to be open minded, I definitely struggled to be able to take care of myself both physically and emotionally.

I have never been faced with so much blatant negativity and even hatred and desperation. By most of their standards I am wealthy - I have access to an abundance of food and unnecessary items. I was unprepared for me, who has not earned a single dollar myself this year, to be merely a walking dollar sign and a target for desperate or even angry attempts to put a chicken in their supper pot.

I have never been more grateful to have the option to live anywhere but there. I admire the people for what they have made out of what options they have, but must admit that I cannot fathom how a people can, in general, contain so much hatred and hostility towards so many peoples - even their own.

I am not as evolved as I wish to be and therefore am very grateful that their challenges are not my own.

It was an awe inspiring with extreme contrasts in landscape from stepped rice paddies to extreme limestone "mountains" jutting out of the landscape. The stark beauty of the place makes me aware of how small we really are. One feels at the mercy of greater, more vengeful forces at all times.

While I am glad I went, I am glad it's over and that I never need return.

'Round the world

As most of you probably know, I've just returned from a 'round the world trip. I touched down on four continents, spent about 80 hours in planes and airports, visited three very different countries, culminating in an amazing two week and two day visit with my husband.

While I've whittled down the approximately 1,500 photos to a little over 200, there are still far too many to post here. I'm happy to show people in person but for now I'll only include a few highlights in following posts.

Overall the month and a half long journey has left my need for adventure well satisfied (for now!) and I have never been happier to be home and am enjoying the spring.

Goodbye, very very much.

...as one of our taxi drivers said as we parted ways.

What an amazing adventure! What started out with lots of trials and unpleasant surprises steadily improved into one of the most amazing travel journeys of my life to date.

While I've been on longer trips, I've never been on more varied and contrasting trips. From misery and repulsion to some of the most breathtaking and beautiful things I have ever had the pleasure to experience.

It may be a bit before I've processed and readjusted enough for photos and details but for now I'll just say that I've never been more happy to be home.


“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang

Now babies, behave yourselves...

Well my darlings, as I write this there are fewer than twelve hours before I fly off into the great southeast Asia.

As my cracktor put it, it's a part of the world that is really only imaginary -- it's so far out of our awareness that it doesn't really exist. :) Soon, at least for me, it will. :)

I leave you with one last gem: my first foray into my Estonian Lace knitting book (and YES, I followed the pattern :p ) followed up with some lovely red dye. I loved making it so much that I've already started on another pattern from the book and am bringing it with me to help pass the time on my many plane rides :)

lots of love and see you when I return!
m

accidental art :)

Busy Bunny - crafts for my trip

I've been a pretty busy bunny getting ready for my trip. When researching what I would need for my trip I kept coming across fun things that aren't really necessary but would certainly make the journey more enjoyable. For many of these things I kept thinking to m'self that I could totally make them - and better!

:D


Wool Airplane-booties - to slip on over my socks and keep my toes warm :)

Over the course of my trip I'll spend over sixty hours on planes and in airports. Some little comforts will go a long way I think. :)

I saw these cute leather initial luggage tags and thought they would be so lovely to make out of the all-wool felt I'd gotten a little while ago. Three felt layers with sturdy ribbon for tying.










And finally (for now) I got myself a cotton/bamboo eye mask but
discovered that it's cream color let too much light through. Wool felt to the rescue once again! Simple chain-stitch embroidery around the edge and a B in a heart. Napping should be easy!

Bottle Cutter Kit

So... I finally got around to testing out my bottle-cutter-kit a few weeks ago and am finally getting around to posting about it!

It was really easy and really neat. Unfortunately I discovered AFTER cutting these bottles that the "label" is etched in rather than printed on, so these were just practice!

Real projects will have to wait!