I had the phenomenal opportunity to spend Christmas at the foot of the ancient Angkor Wat ruins. We explored the huge complex, chasing the sunrise and scoping out the best place to be for the sunset. And then when we were exhausted and about ready to pull our hair out if we heard "Hey laaady, want sumting?" for the millionth time, we settled down for the MOST delicious fruit shakes at the Blue Pumpkin. Every Christmas I find myself in a different corner of the world, sharing a holiday with new shining faces and celebrating in new ways. This year I was at the Art orphanage where 27 Khmer children put together an incredible Xmas celebration with a lovely wee Xmas tree and balloons and a huge dinner. They were all smiles and laughter and happiness. Afterwards they held their very own ladyboy show and taught us to dance Khmer disco style around a chair in the center of the room. It was an incredible experience and I am honored to have spent this day with such wonderful people, yet again. I am truly blessed!

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Happy Friday ya'll!
Today I've been camped out at a Chiang Mai coffee shop editing photos from the past two weeks of being on the road. I stumbled across this lovely old face of a Cambodian man I met near Siem Reap and wanted to share. I've two more days of rest here in Chiang Mai, Thailand and then I'm off again, this time to Vientiane and Luang Pabang, Laos. Boy do I love my whirl-wind, photo taking job! :)
Enjoy!

Khmer Christmas

Earlier this week the children at the ODA orphanage (Orphaned & Disabled Arts organization) were each given $5 for Christmas and asked if they would like to use the money to buy themselves something special or to throw a big Christmas party for everyone. They choose a party and we were invited guests! When we were dropped off we were greeted by many smiling faces and a wreath of balloons and a scrawny Christmas tree that they had gone into the jungle to cut. The children were cutting pictures of Santa Clause and snowmen out of old wrapping paper to hang on the tree for decorations. This little girl, Sunshine, inspects the small pile of gifts under the tree. She was born with AIDS however her smile is bright enough to warm anyone's heart. She dressed up as a beautiful princess and we held hands while learning to dance Cambodian disco style in a circle following the steps of the older children in front.

This may have been an unconventional Christmas, however it is experiences like these that keep me traveling and dreaming of a better world.

Happy holidays everyone! xx