Homeward bound

Here's the second and last trip missive - from Singapore airport as it happens so we are winging our way home already...when I last wrote we were staying in the Old Quarter of Hanoi which the students enjoyed exploring - streets that sell one thing each - shoe street, tombstone street, shirt street etc - quaint but a bit of a labyrinth and very easy to lose your way! Another early morning start saw us heading to Saigon, where we visited the war remnants museum and the graphic images chronicling details of the Vietnam War and especially Agent Orange were a sobering reality check for students. While in Saigon we also visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, which is just outside the city and a fascinating tribute to the ingenuity and resilience of the Viet Cong. Thousands of metres of tunnels on 3 different levels where people lived and hid during the war - there were babies born there and mini hospitals - small underground villages where people hid for up to 4 years. Remarkably inventive and stoic conditions to exsist within. A highlight for students was a visit to the Wildlife Rescue Centre where they got to hold pangolins and see endagered gibbons (their call is outrageous!), otters, lizards, bears and turtles. The bear bile trade is particularly cruel and unneccessary and the Australian manager informed the students of the inhumane conditions that those animals exsist within. Our trip leader had a close call with the resident leopard, which grabbed her bag through the cage and it wasn't letting go easily. We figured it was after Janine's money but the scratch she sustained on her arm was enough to give her large cred with the kids, who I think are all a bit jealous of her scar.

We farewelled the madness of Saigon's tooting streets for a day's sedate cycling through the pretty Mekong Delta - small lanes lined by coconut palms and quiet villages - it was great doing some exercise. There was a hairy moment when we 'mislaid' a couple of students, but happily we found each other again without too much drama. It did mean that students had to cycle in hot conditions until 3pm before reaching our lunch destination but not a complaint was heard. We did look longingly at the row of resting hammocks they had set up for us as we hot pedalled it back on track to try and make up time. Our final night in Vietnam we stayed on a floating homestay bodies weary and tummies happy.

Arriving in Cambodia the following afternoon was a contrast. The geography was quite different and the roads strangely quiet in comparison to Vietnam. The homestay in rural Takeo with Siphen and Mach was a relaxing haven and an antidote for weary travellers. Nearly everyone had run out of clean clothes so we quickly had the lines full before relaxing in hammocks or wandering around the rice fields.

The next day was unfortunately raining all day in Kampot where the students assisted with building a simple home for a mother and her twin daughters. Everyone got muddy and wet, but the satisfaction was high as the building came to fruition. Others visited Epic Arts, a facility that promotes and trains disabled and deaf youth in performing arts. The students donated money towards a long needed new set of traditional drums and watched rehearsals, conversing and sharing with the deaf students. There was a stretching session where some of our kids achieved positions they never thought possible with the harsh task master slapping their limbs into position. In the eveing our host Siphen, shared her personal story of the Khmer Rouge time with the students. Many found this an inspiring and moving day.

Our time at the homestay was too short and we left sadly for Phnom Penh the following morning, farewelling our gracious hosts.

Visiting the Genocide Museum, Toul Sleng, in the afternoon had students in a sombre mood. Hard to believe that nearly a third of the population of this country was killed during the Khmer Rouge time - numbers that compare with the Holocaust, but only 30 years ago. A last shopping visit to the Russian market was intense in a different way and most of us were struggling to accept that we only had one day left.

Our last morning was spent visiting the Killing Fields - one of 380 across the country - and paying witness to the horrific crimes that took place there. We also spent time at a school that is funded mostly by the french and assists poor children to achieve both basic and vocational education. There was lots of playground interaction here and our students enjoyed joining in games and showing pictures from home to curious Cambodian kids. After having a sumptuous buffet lunch at the training restaurant we crossed town to spend the afternoon at an orphange that houses and educates children rescued from living at the dump or from being trafficked, in very basic and crowded conditions. We were all touched when they greeted us with rousing renditions of The Wheels on the Bus and If You're Happy and You Know it before breaking into groups (20 kids per 2 Hagley students) for games and play. It was super hot and very intense noise and space wise. Our students were great, being human jungle gyms, teachers, facilitators and friends to a hugley smiley and excited bunch of kids living in very difficult circumstances. The students donated close to $1000 of fundraised money to this organisation as they struggle for funding but do such an important job trying to improve life and prospects for these children.

Students especially enjoyed their time in Cambodia and felt connected in a way that meant they could happily have stayed longer - heat, scoop showers, squat toilets and all! But last night saw us walking through flooded streets to have our farewell dinner and today we sift around Changi airport waiting to return home to our surreally privileged lives.

I believe they have learnt enormously - not only about the lives of those in this part of the world, but also about themselves and their capacities. They've coped well in some challenging moments and been a great group to travel with. Read their experiences at www.pacificdiscovery.org.

They've certainly earnt a week's holiday before returning to school in chilly NZ!
Cheers,
Rachel and Paul