Reflections of the past two weeks

As I begin to ready myself to depart and Paul prepares for his two month socjourn in Siem Reap, we will try to share our insights, hopes, and conclusions. We have spent the last two days luxuriating in simple pleasures: the sea, the breeze, great music, tasty Thai food, and the gentle touch of sand. Always we find ourselves asking each other what is the story: This Life Cambodia, Children of Angkor.....whatever it is, our goal is to tell the story of the Cambodia that is transforming, becoming its own, turning toward the future..tomorrow full of hope and prosperity. It must start with access to clean water and literacy. Water is the source of life but just having access is not the answer. It must be safe, clean, and ultimately managed and maintained by Cambodians. It is ironic after spending two weeks talking about access, filtration, and sustainability that an earth quake has hit the poorest country in the world which has been struggling, as well, to provide clean and safe water to the people of Haiti. Now even with the help of every international aid organization, the country will be set back light years from becoming sustainable. Life is a rebuilding process. We are in the midst of the area impacted by the tsunami 5 years ago, and so much has been restored and rebuilt. Both Paul and I believe in the power of resourcefulness and the will to survive as evidenced in Cambodia so vividly, but it does not happen without the world's "nudge" as our new friend Jon Morgan describes. So,I shall return home to Boston and reflect, refine, and respond to what Paul and I have experienced and now want to transform into something visually compelling. Stay tuned. Lauren and Paul