Category Archives: Asia

In Memory of Julie Anne Mercer Lee

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My dear friend, Julie Anne Mercer Lee, left her physical body on September 27th after a courageous 10-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Her husband and two sons miss her dearly; they are ALL LOVED by many.

Here are some photos of Julie aboard the SS Norway where we were both working as Fit with Fun instructors; we’re the two babes lying on the floor in the group shot.

Godspeed Julie on your journey!

with warm aloha,

-sj

p.s. there’s also a shot of Julie with her parents, second from the last.

A visit to Cambodia unfortunately isn’t complete without a trip to one the many “Killing Fields,” “Killing Caves,” or “Genocide Museums.”

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I say unfortunately because obviously these are not happy places to visit. But similar to the reason that I went to the former concentration camp in Dachau not far from Munich, Germany years ago, I felt it was my duty (as a fellow human) to show respect to the millions who died during the era of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.
What follows are photographs I took while at the Genocide Museum Tuol Sleng, the Former Office S.21 in “Kampuchea Democratic” 1975-1979. (It’s located in Phnom Penh in what used to be a high school complex.) This facility (and many others) were used for lodging the people while they were being tortured. Though people did die here; that was not its intended purpose.
This device was used for taking their photographs.
The man on the left is one of the few survivors of S.21 left.
The following pictures I took while visiting the killing field closest to FLO. There were many, many similar places in Cambodia during this time. This one was located on what used to be a Chinese cemetery (where there was an orchard of  *longan trees).
The “typical” procedure was to blindfold the people, tell them that they were being relocated, take them to a field (or cave as a nice Canadian couple I met while in Siem Reap explained to me; they visited one in northern Cambodia), force them to kneel (adjacent to a previously dug hole), kill them (in many different ways), put their body in the hole, and . . . go get more people to kill. It was so incredibly horrible what they did.
This is very close to the killing field.
See the skull? That’s where this killing field is located.
This memorial houses many of the bones found in the numerous mass graves.
***
*From my Apple dictionary:

longan |ˈlô ng gən; ˈlä ng-|  noun

an edible juicy fruit from a plant related to the litchi, cultivated in Southeast Asia. • The plant is Dimocarpus longan, family Sapindaceae.

ORIGIN mid 18th cent.: from Chinese lóngyǎn, literally ‘dragon’s eye.’

Lao Lao Garden has the fastest internet connection in Luang Prabang.

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Or so I was told by a nice couple who’d been staying at the same hotel as me (they left today for southern Laos). And as far as I can tell, they were right! Looks like I’m going to be able to post some photos from a few afternoon bike trips while at FLO (Future Light
I just had a dish of fried noodles with vegetables (and curry added per my request) and a mango smoothie with yogurt. It was one of my favorite meals I’ve had in Luang Prabang thus far.
Also, the place seems really *hip. Here are some things written in their menu:
“Wherever You Go, There You Are!” (I’m using their spelling and capitalization btw.)
“Everything Changes, Nothing Is Real. We Are All Capable Of Change. Not Only Are We Capable Of Change – Change is Inevitable.”
“Neither Be Happy When Things Go Our Way, Nor Unhappy When They Do Not.”
“The Rich Never Go To Jail. The Poor Never Go To Hospital.” Lao Proverb
“Whatever Lessens Suffering In Yourself And Others, This Is Right. We Cannot Give Up On Any Person. Never Abandon Anyone.”
“Forgiveness Is Superior To Justice. Revenge And Justice Are Not The Same.”
“We Tend To Seek Happiness, When Happiness Is Actually A Choice.”
“The Simpler The Life, The Happier The Life.”
And lastly,
Q. WHERE ARE THE MONKS GOING?
A. The same places that anyone would go: school, the temple, to visit family and friends. They want to know why you take so many pictures of them and what you are looking for if you already have everything you need?
Enjoy the pictures that I took while biking (around the area where FLO is located).
Laundry almost always looks pretty; if you wear bright clothes, that is!
Twice I just happened to get a red bicycle.
This wat is the furthest away from FLO; it only took about 15-minutes to bike to it.
Just liked the way that looked.
Lots going on along this dirt thoroughfare.
Just part of a typical routine in Cambodia (in the countryside, in the city too perhaps?).
About the same, but the cow moved. See?
There were several cows around.
This guy was saying hey . . . or something like that.
I think he’s protecting the wat (or pagoda is what they really say).
This little guy wanted his picture taken; I said, “Kay.”
I’ve been told that a famous movie star with many, many children “got” her first one here; it’s just down the road from FLO.
Like I said, lots of activity happening on this dirt road.
I asked permission before I took their photo; now I realize that they were getting ready for the festival which began around the 13th of September.
Now this guy is a major stud in the area. How do I know? Well, his size for one, his BODY size. He’s a good head or two taller than other cattle. And for second, by ALL the many people who gathered one day around him examining him . . . I didn’t ask any questions.
One afternoon I rode up to this wat and sat down on a bench under the tree. Before you could say, “Jack Squat,” I was surrounded by lots and lots of little kids. These two just cried out to be photographed (well not vocally, but with their eyes they cried out  : ~ ).

And now . . . back to thumbing through the Lao Lao Garden menu.

Love and light to you all,

-sj

The closing of the 15-day festival which began while I was still at FLO . . .

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Hello Everyone,

When you visit Luang Prabang, you’ll most likely want to get up early one morning to give the monks sticky rice. I’d read and heard about it, and then decided that I too wanted to participate.

This morning ended up being an auspicious day, it was the closing of the festival which began while I was still in Cambodia and at FLO; it was why I got to go to the *pagoda (temple) with many of the FLO students on my last day. Yes, I haven’t told you about that yet (nor properly thanked all of you who gave $s for taking some of the FLO kids out to dinner! That will come; I promise. In the meantime, here’s a simple, “Thank you; the kids were soooo appreciative!”) I have many photos of that most wonderful experience (both).

But for now, it’s Tuesday morning, September 27th, and I just sat outside with many other people and one-by-one handed the monks sticky rice and a cake (there were 3 separate groups of monks, about 60-70 people all together, of all ages). There was one other guest from the hotel who also participated (a cute, young Japanese lady, a nurse who lives in Tokyo, she said).

Here’s a shot to give you an idea of what it was like . . .

Best wishes for a beautiful Tuesday, September 27th . . . wherever, whenever, and however you may be.

With warm aloha,

-sj

*the word of choice in Cambodia, but in Laos it’s vat (wat), the nice 22-year old lady I met yesterday while riding the slow boat up the Mekong told me this. (She’s lived in Luang Prabang for one year and was taking her parents on a tour; they’re visiting for 3-days. She later told me that her brother, who had come north to live with her and “watch over her,” had died in April during the water festival. “They do not smile for many months,” she said as she explained that she wanted to bring them a little happiness . . . )

In Honor and Memory of our little Fido . . . born September 26, 1995

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Along the Mekong River in Luang Prabang, Laos.

One shot from “Sj’s Amazing Elephant Experience”® (aka SjAEE !!!)

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Sj standing on an elephant's head near Luang Prabang, Laos

Sj standing on an elephant’s head near Luang Prabang, Laos
:     )      !!!

Afternoon bike rides while at FLO . . .

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At the beginning of my 8-week stay at FLO, I devoted all of my time to lesson planning,
But towards the end of my stay, I managed to find a few afternoons when I felt “caught up” and could take off for a half or full hour bike ride. (Granted, there were a few afternoons when I’d thought of taking a ride, but the monsoon rains had a different idea of how to spend the afternoon.)
The students were very willing to share their bikes, “Take mine; it’s really fast!” one called out.
Luckily, I just happened to learn the secret password for getting past the security guards without much fuss on the very day I took my first solo jaunt into the surrounding countryside. Exercise. “I’m going out for exercise,” I’d say. And they’d nod their heads granting permission to leave the FLO grounds (The security has been set up to protect the children, but honestly, at times it felt a bit like a prison. Okay, what would I know about how a prison feels? You’re right; I wouldn’t. And I was free to leave so it wasn’t really . . . point made.)
The following are some pictures I took on my few late afternoon journeys biking outside FLO.
Enjoy. : )
 . . . I’ve been trying to upload photos periodically over the past few days . . . but to no avail.
They’ll come when the time is right, and the internet connection is faster.
Meanwhile, I’ve been loving Luang Prabang. Had the most amazing elephant experience the other day . . . and, I’m digging getting to speak in German and French with the tourists and locals.
Today, the 26th of September, marks our little Fido’s birthday.
While riding in the long, slow boat up the Mekong River to some caves, I realized the date. I took a photo of my “Fido” ring with the carving of his paw print with the Mekong in back.
For now, just imagine it.
Later, I’ll post it.
Regardless, this glob entry is dedicated to the much loved Fido LeHoven.
Love to you all,
-sj

Made it to Luang Prabang!

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The hotel I found is awesome!

A fried banana kind of Sunday morning

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Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago while there were still several volunteers at FLO, we decided to give the wonderful cook a Sunday morning off. We headed out into the village for a breakfast of fresh fried bananas (and potatoes). After an entertaining show of watching the young chef prepare and cook our breakfast, we packed up the delectable items and ventured forth to the former home of a FLO student (who is now “out in the world” working as an IT operator). His grandmother’s house had been the happy recipient of a Cambodian style makeover (thanks to the generosity of Boo Rob, founder of eGlobal).

Pictures of the makeover will arrive on this glob at some point . . .

Enjoy!

: )

Don’t try this at home!

FLO’s new and beautiful mural . . .

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When Dani, a vivacious 22-year old volunteer (and recent college grad), came to assist in teaching a class on environmental issues at FLO, she also brought the bright idea of facilitating the painting of a mural. She donated the funds to purchase the paint, shopped all over Phnom Penh for the materials, gathered the “artistic” students, and gave just the right amount of coaxing to get their creative juices flowing.

Dani felt that the mural should be dedicated to the memory of Rob’s wife, Mei; everyone quickly agreed. Below are some shots of this most appropriate tribute.

Dani showing off her clean hand.
Once the concept was agreed upon, everyone began to paint with gusto.
The peanut gallery.
A ray of sunshine. : )
There are many artists at FLO.
See?
Looking good!
Even Koko the dog got excited about it!
That’s all for now, folks. : )