http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Squirrel/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Squirrel en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:20:34 +0000 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:20:34 +0000 Hope this blog find everyone well. I know Irsquove been out of touch with most and I apologize Irsquom at the end of my volunteer time in Vietnam I think and for sure it has been the busiest yet. With a very fried brain I canrsquot conjure up many personal thoughtsreflections at the moment but I can write a little bit about what Irsquove been doing and can post some photos to give y http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/blog-391440.html Irsquom always inspired with how smart children are 20month old Harrison has been no exception. With no concept of time hersquos a master at living in the moment. Looking at everything as if it is a fascinating miracle which means a smooshed bug on the floor is as spectacular as a fancy diamond ring and a garbage truck is way cooler than...anything. This also means a stroll down the stre http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-381289.html Warm greetings from Vietnam Irsquom full swing back into the disabled womanrsquos workshop that we began back in March 2008. But one of the most exciting aspects of my return was being able to deliver the memory portraits created by women of no name Art Group. About the project .This time Irsquom happy to post actual video which really shows the impact of the project. The women were http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/blog-328542.html Blogging from May 310th 2008For my last week I set out for the Scottish Highlands to join up with Trees For Life a nonprofit organization Irsquove been fond of since the no name Art Group Candle Project 2004 our environmental beneficiary. They are also the organization from whom Irsquove purchased many little tree gifts from. Volunteering with TFL would be an opportunity to do somet http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/blog-279635.html It will all be ok in the end. If it's not ok it's not the end. For sometime now I couldn't stop my gut from wanting to see the castles along the coast of Scotland. This gut decision wasn't the most logical idea as if any of them have been. It came with a pretty pricey plane ticket and an ungodly transit from Vietnam 4 planes 2 taxis 1 bus and some gold old fashioned time and patience g http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/Scotland/Aberdeen/blog-271237.html The redwood trees are the tallest and strongest trees in the world living for up to 2200 years and reaching up to 380 ft. in height. Yet the root system of the redwood tree is surprisingly shallow there is no main root. The way in which the trees are able to remain upright and strong for millennia is by growing close together with other redwood trees intermingling and sharing root systems. Lif http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/South-Central-Coast/Hoi-An/blog-267383.html My main assignment here in Hoi An is running a workshop for some of our gals in the disabled group aka the Sweethearts. Our goal is to make a small product line of artscrafts to eventually be sold online. Giving them the ability and skills to create a small range of quality crafts we hope to provide them with a sustainable income increased selfconfidence and independence in their lives. The http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/South-Central-Coast/Hoi-An/blog-266915.html Meet our 2nd Nguyen. Nguyen ldquo2rdquo was born with a heart condition commonly referred to as a ldquohole in the heartrdquo. In developed countries this would be detected at an early age and fixed by a fairly simple procedure. But living in Vietnam Nguyenrsquos condition was not diagnosed until recently. She needs a complete heart and lung transplant which at this stage is close t http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/South-Central-Coast/Hoi-An/blog-266146.html Insight On Disabled Life In VietnamThis time last year a group of 65 disabled adults contacted Karen. This special group all live in or near Hoi An and are all disabled in some way some through accidents some through cerebral palsy or polio.Meeting with the group sounds like a feat in itself. Very few cafes and meeting places are wheelchair accessible. Here are some notes taken from Karen's blo http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/South-Central-Coast/Hoi-An/blog-263474.html Before last Saturday we knew nothing of the boy living around the corner in the center of town. Meeting Nguyen pronounced NEWin age 29 shook both me and Karen.Itrsquos not exactly certain what has happened to Nguyen how or when it happened. Western doctors Josh and John assess that a combination of encephalitis at the age of 18 virus in the brain a motorbike injury head trauma brok http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/South-Central-Coast/Hoi-An/blog-263233.html About a 10 minute motorbike ride outside of town you'll find a quaint and happy little farm and it's happy owner Hiep one of Lifestart's recipients.Hiep age 35 contracted polio when he was 7 years old resulting in the paralysis of his left leg. Hieprsquos father passed away and his elderly mother owned the land around his tin house. The family were farmers who always worked hard but struggl http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/South-Central-Coast/Hoi-An/blog-261153.html From the moment I landed in Danang it's been an emotional roller coaster. Excited from the high of being reunited with the familiar faces I fell in love with 2 years ago and heartbroken from the raw unedited continuing struggles of poverty neglect and disabilities all reasons that bring me back here today. Before I start on specific stories I thought an overview would be appropriate. And http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/South-Central-Coast/Hoi-An/blog-261139.html Celebrating Karen's birthday on the beach with old and new friends... http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/South-Central-Coast/Hoi-An/blog-261149.html A 6hour horrendous bus ride north from the farm is Luang Prabang the place every tourist and guide book recommends as a mustsee. Awakened from a long slumber brought on by decades of war and revolution Luang Prabang has become Lao PDRrsquos foremost tourist showpiece. Encircled by mountains and set 700m above sea level at the confluence of the Khan and the Mekong Rivers the cityrsquos m http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Laos/West/Luang-Prabang/blog-257233.html Itrsquos an unforgettable experience but 3 weeks on the farm feels enough. Irsquove decided it's time to let go of the perfect little bungalow overlooking the mulberry fields and begin the transition back to reality. Plus the longer I am here the more I question if I wasnrsquot really benefiting anyone but myself. But I know the farm was grateful and I was given a nice thank you in the for http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Laos/West/Vang-Vieng/blog-256964.html From 10am to 5pm the farm slightly rattles and shakes from the thumping techno beats at one of the nearby river bars. It certainly offsets the tranquility of this place.The town of Vang Vieng has become a backpacker haven because of the growing number of river barsparties and the ridiculously cheap food and accommodations. Although the farm is concerned about the growing numbers turning the town http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Laos/West/Vang-Vieng/blog-254986.html It was no smooth transition from Australian life to Lao life especially after the leisurely comforts of Australia. Instead of looking forward to the thrill of the arrival in a new country I became stubbornly resistant to the idea of the unfamiliarity of the culture learning another language having no friends or family around eating too many bowls of noodles unpredictable weather mosquito b http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Laos/West/Vang-Vieng/blog-253577.html Ok so hersquos only 7 months but hersquos really very mature for his age. This young man is full of positive energy hersquos attentive an exceptionally good listener loves long walks in the park and lots of cuddle time. And perhaps this is inappropriate but I have also seen him naked. Why Harrisonhellip hersquos the perfect boyfriendHarrison John Clark was born to good friends Ra http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-248155.html Greetings from the other side of the worldIt's amazing but somehow I feel that I've been gone months as opposed to weeks. It already feels like so much time to myself when I'm not part of a daily routine that include the usual emails phone chats and socializing and of course a job.I'm again here in Sydney Balmain indulging in a relaxing stay with friends Rachael and Jason. For the usual to http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-247682.html Weekend in Las Vegas Feb 1st3rd. Well sometimes it's better not to write anything at all. For the select few you know the story http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Nevada/Las-Vegas/blog-247730.html