... from Myawaddy, Burma

We walked across the “Friendship” bridge into Burma, watching boats of illegals going back and forth underneath us.

It was like crossing from the US to Mexico, only in this scenario, the US is Thailand. Burma makes Thailand look like a rich country with great infrastructure and healthy dogs.

The only really pleasurable part of the experience was in the immigration “office”, where we listened to a Brit trying to haggle with the Burmese guard on the entry fee. The Burmese immigration officials, incidentally, are the nicest of anywhere I’ve ever been, but were still unable to reduce the price. 

"You may know it better as Myanmar, but it will always be Burma to me."

 -Mr. Peterman, Seinfeld Episode "The Foundation"

... from Mae La Refugee Camp, Thailand (Part II)

Things I’ve learned about snakes:

1) To kill a snake, hit its head with a stick, then cut off the tail. The snake's life is in its tail.

2) Snake meat is the second most delicious to human meat. (I'm told.)

3) A pregnant woman can’t be hurt by a snake’s poison. If the snake bites her, it will die, because she has her own poison.

4) If you are bit by a snake, try to catch it so you can take it to the hospital. It will help the doctor to know what kind of snake bit you.  

Our house

... from Mae La Refugee Camp, Thailand

Teaching in a refugee camp, I’m quickly learning that my job entails more than just traditional classroom responsibilities.

One of the extras included directing a play to be performed for several hundred people at graduation. I lamented that my sister is not here, who works professionally for theaters. The Vice-Principal told me firmly, “It’s good she’s not here. Now you can learn.”

It's a good motto. I'm realizing that I dread doing practical things. I often wish someone more competent, resourceful, or tougher was here to do the stuff that needs to be done. But now I can learn. 

Andrew with our two stars

... from Sihanoukville, Cambodia

We’re spending a day in a beach town before heading to the capital and then flying to Thailand.

We’re doing laundry, using computers, and trying to buy clothes appropriate for teaching in a refugee camp with no air conditioning in extremely hot weather. (We have no idea what to buy.)

Already, I have stomach problems, pink stripes from sunburn, and too many mosquito bites to count. We have only been in Southeast Asia for two weeks and haven’t event made it to the refugee  camp yet!

Looks like I’m going to have to toughen up over the next few months. 

Fishermen on a river running through the jungle near town.

... from Koh Rong, Cambodia

After being on a primarily homogenous island in conservative Korea, we were shocked by the variety of culture we encountered on Koh Rong Island. "There are so many white people here!" we told each other repeatedly.

It’s an island with no roads, but gorgeous beaches and maybe a couple dozens place to stay.

It was so strange to see scantily clad people from all over the world smoking joints while naked native children played with dogs on the beach.

Even more surprising, however, was to see people sun bathing again, as Korean women dread the sun like nothing else.

This guy was grazing just outside our bungalow.

... from Siem Reap, Cambodia (Part II)

"Have you guys ever seen a monkey in the wild?" Paul asked on the plane. Neither of us had.

In just one day in Cambodia, however, we saw dozens of them. We spent almost as much time outside Angkor Wat watching the monkey families playing as we did climbing around inside.

So far the best thing I've seen is a monkey sitting on a fence drinking a beverage out of a cup with ice cubes. I can’t help but thinking about how much smarter and more capable they seem than the toddlers we tried to teach English to in Korea. 

Running from a baby monkey like a scared child.

... from Siem Reap, Cambodia

We explored the ruins in Siem Reap with only a couple of minor setbacks.

Just outside a temple, Andrew suddenly shouted out in pain.

"What happened?" I asked, very concerned.

"A coconut hit me on my shoulder," he announced, stunned.

I burst out laughing.

Also, an ATM machine informed me, unsympathetically, that my card "had been captured." The bank employees at first refused to give me card back because it's in my maiden name, unlike my passport. But for some reason, I have my birth certificate here. Upon showing it, they begrudgingly released the captured treasure back to me.

Angkor Wat (of course the first post actually is from a giant tourist spot.)

...about the Site

My tiny posts and pictures from around the world are about the small things that constitute life abroad.

Going to famous world destinations like the Grand Canyon or the Great Wall is spectacular. But travelers spend 99% of their time abroad not at giant landmarks. These 100 word posts are about the in-between moments. The lost-in-translation, the terrible bus rides, and the re-learning how to do everything are what make us new people when we go home. More importantly for this blog, they’re also what make us belly laugh and want to scream at strangers.