Travelbug Ange's Guestbook

I suppose that explains some of their reactions too -- they probably weren't trained very well because there wasn't anything to train them with (or reason to train them in methods/treatments that don't exist for them). Very sad. =(

Very interesting.. I wonder if the concept of taking pieces of monuments out to display at foreign museums is a result of a lack of advocacy; can you imagine if someone suggested they carve a chunk out of Mt. Rushmore and haul it off to a museum overseas?! When you mentioned the blind masseurs I thought of Slumdog Millionaire, and the children who were blinded to become more efficient beggars.. But, I certainly hope that's not the case with the folks you encountered!

Welcome to Cambodia!
Thank you Ange for volunteering and helping the poor Cambodians. You'll be blessed! I'm a Cambodian American and I visit Cambodia every year to help the poor. I met lots of Europians but not Americans. Theary

wow, ICU attendings have a 3 hr work day? scary! how's the food?

Umm... do you mean pelicans? This place sounds pretty amazing. Someday I'll make it out there... for real tho

hey girl!
Yippeee! The travelblog is back! Sounds like you're having quite an adventure. The bus situation is very reminiscent of that in Cusco. They have these little vans and that run the city, packed with people, stopping at random corners. It makes perfect sense to the locals, but if you're new you just have to learn from hearsay and experimentation to figure out how to get to places. On top of that Peruvians are short and the ceilings are low, so you're squished in AND you have to duck the entire time. Fun times... altho the ride doesn't usually last more than half an hour. Anyway, enjoy the rest of your trip, take lots of pics, and learn lots of spanish. If you're already haggling in spanish you'll be an expert by the time you get home.

wow!
Wow Ange, all of that sounds so amazing! Especially the volcano/laguna; I hope you took photos! And the horse-back riding! Although honestly, the last time I went, it left me quite sore in areas I'd rather not be! And the Cloud Forest sounds so cool.. I can't wait to see pics! Hope you'll continue to have fun!

Thanks so much
Ange: I just want to say that I will miss reading the blog. You gave a fascinating picture of India and your experiences, many of which stayed with me throughout the day. I felt for you during your sickness; mourned when your patient died; heard the noise of the country; relaxed in Jaipur and saw the third world through the eyes of someone experiencing it firsthand. It is a wonderful way for others to see your thoughts and feelings and emotions. I looked forward to your entries and will always associate them with this summer and good reading. Thank you so much.

Travelblogs...
I have two friends of Chinese descent right now living in developing Asian countries for the summer, both of whose names start with "An-" and end with "-a." (The other is my friend Ana who is doing an archaelogical dig in Syria.) It's just a funny coincidence is all. It sounds like you're having a very interesting time - I empathize for your lack of toilet paper. Even in the most boonies boonies areas of Japan we had toilet paper. This travelblogging really makes me wish I were in Japan, or somewhere similarly interesting, on a similar sort of adventure, so that I could write a travelblog, and it would say at the top something like Asia >> Japan >> Tottori Prefecture >> Innakacho (Innakacho isn't a real place; it's Japanese for "boonies-town".) My only experiences with seeing these sorts of really poor third-world societies was in crossing the so-called "Green Line" which separates Israel from the Palestinian Territories. It is truly amazing how little so many of the Palestinians have, when so many Israelis are as well off as Western Europeans, Brits, or Americans. In any case, I eagerly await your next update. Though, I wouldn't call Taiwan a "tiny island in the Pacific." Formosa's a pretty big place, or so I'd imagine. Take care, Ange.