Complex situation of have and have not
Really enjoyed reading your blog, loved your Mum saying she had already seen Angkor Wat via the documentary! We completely agree with you that begging and children selling things (and not being in school) is a lot more complex than having or not having money. It is very, very difficult to turn down those puppy dog eyes the kids give you when you say no, but in the end you have to do what you believe is the best thing. We don't automatically give money or things, there are many reasons why people beg and we (collective 'we' here!) cannot hope to fully understand the dynamics going on in families or between the rich/poor divide. Even living in a country which has huge levels of poverty, we have barely scratched the surface with our understanding. The answer to giving and not giving? we, like you, are still searching for it!

Ahh, It's been a long time coming....
Congratulations on your 30th blog!!! We've been recommending you for HoF for ages and now you are finally eligible :) Have to say that your mum is braver than me. Did have a go at that fish nibbling get up but I couldn't keep me feet in the tank for more than 5 seconds....

Congratulations on blog #30...
and for your thought on beggers and things like begging. I went to Uganda in October 2008 to learn construction management in the East Africa environment...specifically how do they use the 100% plans and specifications we send them to use in construction. I learned that they only use the floor plna and do not follow the detailed desig and specifications that would ensure the structural integrity of the building. I left thinking that we were being to precise for their environment. Also anything that can use manpower rather than equipment they use manpower...to paint center lines on highways, to crush rock, etc. I'm like you in believing that giving to beggers is not the solution.

Your Stories Make Me Laugh
I love how you paint such a visual picture in your blogs. As I was reading this one, I could almost hear that person going at the chips. Ah, the adventures of travel. Your point about not missing your flight versus what would happen in the US was a very good one. it's not something I would have thought about. Looking forward to your next blog.

It's a relief to hear....
...that you didn't get eaten alive :P Like you, I learned the hard way, encountering experiences in dorms that would give even the toughest of individuals nightmares for years to come! Never again! It's a private room for me every time :)

Brave travel gets rewarded!
Congrats on flying even though you have qualms about it. I guess traveling builds courage (which as a diver, I imagine you have lots of)! Love Three Sisters photo and also fun times with the guys. Best wishes for smooth flying1

Hey-- great blog
Indeed you are correct that the America craziness of stores staying open late does not happen in Australia or other parts of the world. We could learn a few things. We were there around the holidays and some businesses closed for 3 weeks. Very cool. Your intro had me hooked from the first moment...travel can be problem free....but not all the time. Yes, just a couple of beers.

The ding of the seatbelt sign
I too am not comfortable with take-offs, despite all those flights I have taken. That ding that accompanies the extinguishing of the seatbelt sign is probably the most pleasant noise you can hear on any plane.

Fantastic! I'm just catching up on my favourite blogs now....and now I'm making your recipe tonight!

Nudibranch is a Chromodoris reticulata
Great shot! Regards, Linda

What a beauty
have never seen this fish before, i guessed there are many wonders yet to discover....beautiful shot