Merry Christmas Chet!

12/13/2007-

This was a morning I was looking forward to for a long time. Spending some quality time with my boy Chet, though reality is I’m watching him transition from a boy to a man. I see him watching over the younger children and helping Akira and Hourt, being respectful to the staff. This was a far cry from the boy I left last year, teetering on the choice of buckling down on school or running to the bright lights and trouble of Phnom Penh. I’m very proud of the choice he made.
So as I entered the new Museum, my smile widened as the people’s faces grew sadder, why is this you say, well about time we wake up to the horrific reality of landmines and what they leave behind after the war machine and the troops go home. The children, the museum and Akira’s work are a testament to the will of the people to pick up the fragmented pieces and carry on, carry on and smile. Lessons learned!

Ok back to Chet, I asked my main man were Akira was as I had brought 2 refurbished laptops over for the children and their future Education Center. He pointed upstairs and said he would take me there, I heard Chet yell up to Akira in Khmer, all I picked up was “Bong Asad, Bong Asad” (older brother).
I gave Hourt a big hug and gratefully shook Akira’s hand as we talked about his impressive new home. What a difference a year makes, again if you haven’t seen their website, have a look. http://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org/
Chet and I had planned to spend the day in Siem Reap, he really wanted a hair cut and try to find a music store that could fix his keyboard as many of the keys are stuck. Before we left I wanted to spend some time with the new children who have recently come to the museum, I was so impressed with their kindness and playfulness, we had a blast in the short time we spent together!
Chet and I said goodbye to Akira and Hourt and loaded our trusted Tuk tuk with Sao at the helm. Chet asked if he could take pictures as Joa who is one of the wonderful
English volunteers caught a ride back with us. Chet was so happy trying to compose great pictures on a bumpy Khmer road while Joa and I were in bliss talking American Football!
We dropped Joa off and proceeded to Sao’s favorite restaurant, we walk in and they ask..”The usual Mr Asad?” yup the usual Beef with green Khmer paste. We had a fantastic meal, so much so desert was not an option, stuffed!

Well we knew of only one shop that could possibly fix a keyboard, as luck would have it, they couldn’t fix them but more than happy to sell you a used one! Merry Christmas Chet, your hard work and solid grades did not go unnoticed by me!