Hi Friends! We seem to be dodging the worst of the ongoing monsoons that are now inundating western Cambodia and Thailand right now. Today we took the “Mekong Express” through the very rural country of Cambodia from Siem Reip to Phnom Penh. We spent yesterday in Siem Reip touring a number of local artists venues, but by far (and John agrees) the most interesting was the down close and personal look at the silk mini-manufacturing that happens there. Poverty is so pervasive there that mostly European NGOs are coming in to support the rebirth of some of the indigenous arts and crafts. The care that is taken in this small, pristine, silk “factory”, teaches 1,000 artists a year and brings young men and women out of poverty to a highly sought after skill. We were entranced!
The trip through the countryside was a real eye opener for we westerners. We take so much for granted. Cambodians in the country have been living with flooding for weeks, and most are wading through water to even reach their very modest shacks. I think I’ve mentioned before how impressed I am with the “agape” of these people. When we take a tuk tuk and pass a motor scooter, there are always a couple of people hanging on the back, and always, when I make eye contact and smile, I get a huge smile back. I can really see how ex pats come here and don’t want to leave.
Teresa Van Haalen Ventures 
