Day 5! Our final day arrived in the usual fashion – here before you know it, yet feeling physically tired having put in four full days of hard work, doing the kind of jobs most of us are not used to. Add the Cambodian heat and humidity to the mix and a few tummy bugs … Continue reading
Habitat Global Village CAMBODIA – Day 4 | Siem Reap
Day 4! At the end of the day, I sat in amazement. I was looking at a house that was 95% finished and on Monday all that was in its place was a piece of parched earth with six square holes in the ground, waiting to be filled with concrete pillars to hold up a … Continue reading
Habitat Global Village CAMBODIA – Work Day 3 | Meet the Family
Day 3! Today we were really rocking and rolling! Not just on the houses, but on the worksite when our host coordinator Pak and our translator Thy and construction supervisor Chai busted out the karaoke machine and sang American country western music! Some of the ladies on our team are now known as the “Pak-ettes“! … Continue reading
Habitat Global Village CAMBODIA – Work Day 2 | Meet the Family
Day 2! This week we are working alongside two families in the Tbeng Kert village, which has 375 households and 1,661 people. The houses are about 360 square feet and sit up on stilts, a typical Cambodian style which protects the family and their belongings during the rainy season flooding. Today our work progressed … Continue reading
Habitat Global Village CAMBODIA – Arrival & Day 1 | Siem Reap
Welcome to Cambodia! Everyone on the team has arrived and we didn’t waste any time getting acquainted with this beautiful county and the charms of Siem Reap. Our welcome dinner was at Madam Butterfly, one of the oldest restaurants in town and one of the few set in a traditional Khmer wooden house with beautiful … Continue reading
Kingdom of MOROCCO | ‘Darija’ Helpful Moroccan Arabic
My Name “Staci” in Arabic Having spent two weeks in Morocco, part tour, part independent travel in Marrakesh and Gueliz, I can recommend that it’s helpful to memorize a few simple words and phrases. This is true just about anywhere you travel. Making an attempt to be convivial at best and congenial at least, kindness … Continue reading
Kingdom of MOROCCO | Marrakesh
Daughter of the Desert. The Red City. The Ochre City. Founded in 1071 the ancient city of Marrakesh cloaked in exoticism and yet approachable. Friendly even. I spent a week in and around Marrakesh and I have to say, it was very much as expected. This was my first visit to Morocco. There’s a lot … Continue reading
Kingdom of MOROCCO | Glitzy Gueliz
Just minutes from the medina, Gueliz is a sort of suburb of Marrakesh, and it’s nothing like what you’d expect. Even if you don’t know much about Marrakesh, just them mention of its name brings to mind souks and slippers, mosques and mint tea, snake-charmers and desert-dwelling Bedouins. A visit to Gueliz will change all … Continue reading
Puerto Vallarta, MEXICO
These days just saying the word “Mexico” in the US conjures up thousands of images and emotions in varying degrees, spanning politics to parties. As much traveling as I’ve done, I had yet to visit our southern neighbor. No spring break in Cancun. No family all-inclusive on the Riviera Maya. There are 31 states and … Continue reading
Little Corn Island, NICARAGUA | Being There
WELCOME! How about that panga ride, eh? If you are lucky enough to be staying at Little Corn Beach and Bungalow (LCBB) then someone will meet you at the dock to collect you and your bag and escort you to your breezy beachside paradise. Enjoy a piña colada for me! This magical little place was … Continue reading