Ariel's Blog Jan.8

I'll admit it. I'm pretty jaded and bitter. I'm pretty self-involved (maybe even overly), and I easily forget how good I actually have it. I mean, I ain't got a palace with a pearl bedroom overlooking a lotus garden; 19 chefs or a poodle (I might be getting ripped here). But I do have the necessary materials to sustain a reasonably good life. And having a plane ticket to Cambodia is one of those necessary materials that adds to my luck.

Thankfully.

I can't really say I love it in Cambodia. Only because I don't really understand how my thoughts are processing my time here. I can admit that I feel incredibly comfortable. Of course, I have good people around me, food everyday (If I'm so inclined) and van with ... well, nothing special. But a van is a van nevertheless (Point A to point B. That's all that matters, right?) But beyond that, I'm surrounded by an easy spirit. And though this kind of cool flow is not limited to Cambodia, experiencing it is always great.

The smells vary from sweet, to dirty, awful, putrid raw fish. In fact, in some places of Cambodia, the smell of Far Rock Away beach in New York brought back the memory of running from a giant dirty wave with a used syringe ready to poke on demand. Foul. I don’t have those awful moments here, but I’m going for filler.

I’m amazed by the children I’ve met. Mostly because they’re simply great. Bright, compassionate and so damn cute. This is a rarity, I must say. I’m not impressed by most children, and sometimes I don’t understand why they get so much attention. If it came down to a puppy or a baby, I’m going for the puppy. But my perception on this has changed a bit after visiting several orphanages. But especially the orphanage in Battambang, Hearts and Hands for Cambodia.

Those little monsters. I adore them. Boogers all over their faces, dirt on their … everything! They’re great. And when I watch them express a level of contentment, especially when they don’t have much for themselves, I feel overjoyed. They capture so much dignity for themselves, and they don’t even realize it. I’m honoured to be let in to their playground, and have their dirty little amazing hands show me the way of excitement via a game of Tug of War, Duck-Duck-Goose, or whatever else.

Because of these kids, I’m excited for the rest of my week at Hearts and Hands. I don’t often get to have so much fun with such great people.

I’m Ariel, and that’s my ramble.