Paradise Found

Long time no see!

I meant to post earlier but I had wanted to upload some photos and video first. Turns ouy, electronics aren't my friend this week. So here's a post all by itself with a glimmer of hope that one day soon I will be able to show you in addition to tell you of my travels. We arrived yesterday to Koh Chang, the second biggest island in Thailand. But I get ahead of myself.

Last weekend LanguageCorps took us on a trip to Siem Reap, where there are a lot of temples including the famous Angkor Wat. It was an incredible visit. The bus ride gave me views of Cambodia's countryside, and I felt as though every scene we passed could have made it into the pages of National Geographic. Some of the houses we passed were just one large room made on stilts that looked as if it were surprised to still be standing. There were men asleep on hammocks, half-naked children running about and playing, and gaunt cows roaming the streets that made our bus stop more than once. Along with us we had our teacher Sophia, and her mother-who didn't speak a word of English although we had many conversations. She was very caring and had a young spirit about her and she held my hand as we crossed the (admittedly and potentially dangerous) streets. This trip brought the group a bit closer together.

But now, for the good stuff. We arrived to Koh Chang yesterday after 2 bus rides and a ferry. Just as the ferry pulled in, the sun was setting ovet what honestly looks liked where they filmed L O S T. We had a wonderful dinner on the beach-pad thai with seafood and a coconut shake. I spent all day on the beach today and the water was incredible. I've never seen an ocean so calm and so clear. As I drank my pineapple smoothie on th beach, I realized how hard my life is. Hah! This is an unbelievable place. Susan and I hopped ina glorious pool to a resort (not ours) before we came back to the hotel and our group has plans to meet up so we can see the sunset and have dinner. Tomorrow Rick (head of LanguageCorps) will take us to a waterfall and feed us what he claims is the best chicken in the world. I'm sending lots of warm thoughts back to you!!!