I decided to take today off. I have plans tonight to go to a dinner show featuring traditional Khmer dancing and then will wander the night market after that. And my tuk tuk driver isn't around, which is probably a good thing, because I'd end up going out to do something. And I'm not feeling so hot and think I need to just spend a bit of time relaxing. So this will give me some time to jot down some thoughts I've been having both in my journal, which I haven't touched for a few days and on the blog.
The main recurring thought I have is how lucky I am to have been born and raised in the U.S. Whether or not I like what's happening in my native country, I've been blessed with things that as an American, I've taken for granted. Things that are rights that might be considered luxuries in other countries.
The biggest thing that comes to mind is an education. While as an individual it is our choice whether or not we pursue a higher education, but basic elementary through high school is typically required of a minor. It's the minority of people that don't graduate from high school. Whereas here in Cambodia, it's the minority of people who have the opportunity to have any schooling at all. Most kids are out at the tourist sites trying to sell knick knacks or with their families working in the home or field. The kids that do have the opportunity to go to school seem to actually enjoy it. They realize how lucky they are. It makes me wish that kids in the U.S. would realize how lucky and fortunate they are and take advantage of what's been given to them. When I have a family and kids, I will be taking them to countries like this while they are still young and impressionable. I want my children to see how other countries live first hand and to realize how fortunate they are. This of course, is assuming I have my family in the U.S. and not somewhere else.
Another thing I've come to appreciate is the stability of our government. Yes, the leaders do stupid things and things we don't agree with. But we've never really had to worry about a coup or some crazy overthrowing of the government. That's essentially what happened when the Khmer Rouge took over in the 70's here in Cambodia. It's one thing to see the pictures and read about what happened in the museums. It's horrifying that this happened so recently. I recent compared to WW1 & 2. Vietnam liberated Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge in 79, the year I was born, but their presence was still here and there was still much distress and anguish all the way up to 98, is when the Khmer Rouge finally dissolved. It puts a whole new spin on things when you meet someone who was a potential victim of the Khmer Rouge. Mooni, my tuk tuk driver in Battambang, his sister was killed by the Khmer Rouge and they were searching for him. He had to spend his childhood running and hiding from a group of people who wanted to kill him. He knows he's lucky to be alive. But could you imagine having to spend the time when you're like 12 having to hide... a time when you should be playing. Like I said, it puts it all into perspective when you hear someone's story who lived through it and survived it when they probably shouldn't have.
Anyways, that's the end of my deep thoughts.
You are so right, Esther! This is a post I will most definitely be sharing with my girls. If I can't take them to other countries for exposure, I will do my best from home to expose them to the needs and lifestyles of kids in other countries. You've got lots of great thoughts here. I bet you'll miss Mooni when you go on to Thailand! What a great experience you're having so far!
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