Goodbye Saigon, Hello Cambodia

In all, we spent about 11 (or was it 12?) days traveling through Vietnam. We all admit that the country was a total surprise to us--we had no idea that we'd love it that much. I think what amazed me most was the wonderful blending that occurs between Vietnamese culture and globalized influences. The stores carry "western products," but there isn't a McDonalds in sight. The people speak wonderful English--but maintain what they can of their culture after years and years of war and internal political struggle. The food is incredible, the travel is relatively easy and mostly safe (there were a few incidents--mais cést la vie!) and the history is fascinating and thought-provoking (there's no way to describe how it feels staring at photos of the damage that your own country did to the country you're visiting). We've all decided that it's going to be incredibly hard to appreciate China after all that we've enjoyed here.

Which--have I mentioned--it's COLD in China!!!! 'We've been watching news reports while traveling that claim that it is the worst winter that China has experienced in 50 years!!!! Emails from friends have told us that the snow (which had just fallen when we left Wuhan) has not melted and is deeper and icier now, buses have stopped running in Wuhan, trains are delayed throughout the country, water reserves/pipes are frozen so several of our friends have no water and it sounds basically...well, miserable! The entire country is worried because Chinese New Year/Spring Festival is February 8--and is the busiest travel time for all Chinese as they return to their hometowns to gather with their family. We learned most of this news while we were in Nha Trang...on the beach...for 4 days...getting tans. We are actually a little worried about our apartments flooding from burst pipes or something like that--but we'll deal with all of that when we return. For now--we're enjoying our summer!!!!

Saigon (now called Ho Chi Menh City...or HCMC) was a mix of beauty and disrepair. Once called the 'Paris of Asia,' it seems that it may have lost some of its spendor over the years. We visited the Reunification Palace (the cite that the Vietcong went straight for when they took the city after US forces left), the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Mosque, a Hindu Temple, the Opera House, the Train Station, LOTS of shopping stores, and the backpackers area where we got a hostel. The sun was bright and hot and Jenn and I spent quite a while just sitting in a park basking in the sun.

We arrived in Siem Reap, Cambodia, two days ago. Coming into Cambodia is alot like going back to China. The poverty level is even lower than in China--we're staying in the city that makes the most money from tourism, so we're in a nice area...but at all times it's impossible to ignore the standard of living that the Cambodians exist in. The children have perfected their routines when selling bracelets and cold drinks--some choose the pitiful whine, some are comedians ("Hey mista--how many people are in the US? You don't know? I'll tell you--300 million minus 4. Why minus 4? Because you fine people are here in Cambodia!) and some are wilting flowers. We tend to buy from them--how can you resist!

We're here to visit the Temples of Angkor--the most famous of which is Angkor Wat. I cannot describe these in words--and the pictures won't do it justice either. Tomb Raider was partially filmed in one of the Angkor Temples--and the rest all looks like something out of Indiana Jones. I'll post pics when I get home and show off.

There are moments in life when you realize that you're living your childhood dreams. While biking through Yangshuo (China) or HoiAn (Vietnam), I remember circling the street on Woodside Drive for hours and hours--imaging adventures and scenery. While clambering and crawling up the massively steep steps up the Temples of Angkor (Cambodia), I remember the days on the Jungle Gyms at the playground or in imaginarly palaces we made in the woods with Irene. While sipping Vietnamese coffee at a lakeside cafe in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, I remember the tea parties I'd have with Diet Coke for tea or coffee with my neighborhood friends in Roanoke. I'll say it again-I live a charmed life.

On Monday we're heading into Bangkok--which is where my friend Jeremy has been moved to while he recovers from his elephant attack. If you live in Middle Tennessee--you may have seen his story on the Channel 4 news (http://www.wsmv.com/video/15158943/index.html)! Jeremy is recovering but is in alot of pain and currently is being watched for his fever--he has an infection and if his fever doesn't go down in the next 48 hours they will have to take him into surgery to clean up the site of the infection.

I'll be spending the majority of my time in Bangkok with him at the hospital--and then we're going to try to head down to Phuket before flying home(ish) later on. Thank you all for your prayers for Jeremy--please keep praying because although he's recovering and the greatest fears have diminished--he's still in very serious condition. I'll post the last email I received below concerning his health insurance--his alma mater has set up a fund to help cover his continueing expenses. If you feel called to contribute--I know that it will be a blessing to him.

This morning (Friday, February 1) we have learned that Jeremy's medical insurance is almost maxed out. His policy has a maximum limit of $50,000. The medical evacuation cost $23,000 USD and the first 5 days at the hospital in Bangkok (in ICU, surgery, medications, etc) comes to $22,030 USD (680,744 Thai dollars). The hospital in China has still not been paid. We learned from insurance company that once the $50,000 runs out the hospital will then look to Jeremy to cover his medical expenses.

Jeremy's prognosis calls for at least another week in the Bangkok hospital and possibly longer. The doctors are still continuing to evaluate his case.

If possible, please present this urgent need to your home group this Sunday on Jeremy's behalf. Donations to assist with Jeremy's medical expenses can be made directly through Freed-Hardeman University.

Freed-Hardeman University
ATTN: Jeremy McGill
Medical Fund
158 East Main St.
Henderson, TN 38340

If you or your home group has any questions about Jeremy's medical fund, please
contact Jud Davis at FHU: 800-630-3482 or 731-989-6023.

Thank you for your consideration of this special need and for continuing to remember Jeremy in your prayers.