Booked for 2011

I purchased my ticket to Siem Reap this week. I'll depart July 9 and be on the ground in Cambodia July 10 (I arrive the evening before, but I'll go right to bed) and depart the evening of July 20. In this 10 day span I will focus on learning about emergency and acute-care medical services. I'm getting conflicting information, so this fact-finding trip will help me determine where I might be able to make a difference.

If anyone has an interest in going with me, now's the time to purchase a ticket and get your shots!

Unpacking, and thinking of 2011

I landed around 10:30 last night, and Yvette was nice enough to pick me up from the airport so I wouldn't have to take the shuttle home. All of our driving in Cambodia is around town, and even then they go a lot slower than we do. It's kind of a thrill ride when you start going 50 or 60 miles an hour. Not that it takes long to adjust, but for a moment you realize that it's pretty darn fast.

This morning I started the unpacking process. It actually takes a fair amount of time to sort of this stuff, from the gifts to the clothes to the items I take every year (like the foreign power adapter).

I thought I had a handle on what I wanted to do next year, but the experience at the clinics and hospital threw me a curve. I'll have to discuss this with Deanna when I see her in Wisconsin. After all, one of my suitcases is full of her stuff. It's a lot cheaper and safer for me to bring items back than to ship them.

Probably fewer posts from here on out. Remember, I would be happy to assist anyone interested in making the trip. I'm 100% certain we can find a way to put your talents to good use. I promise it's an entertaining, positive life experience.

One more flight to go

Undoubtedly the best phrase I heard this whole trip was from Pat. While discussing the differences between US-based airline companies and pretty much the rest of the world, she said “Stewardesses on the US planes are like truck stop waitresses.” Of course this isn’t true 100% of the time… but I’ve had more than my share of Truck Stop Waitresses as cabin crew.

It might be a bit hard to see in the iPhone picture, but the Asiana crew all wear impeccable uniforms, are genuinely helpful, and keep things moving at a rapid pace. I don’t expect the same thing on my last flight on United. In fact, it’s already been delayed by a half hour. At least I got an exit row seat.