Lariam Induced Dreams: Installment 1

Because Cambodia is a malaria risk, Ryan and I are taking anti-malarial medications. Ryan opted for the ordinary daily version with few side effects, while I chose to enhance my adventure (and your reading pleasure) with Lariam, the weekly medication with wonderful side effects such as hallucinations and vivid dreams. My first one involved a photo shoot with myself and some other guy, each of us wearing one half of a kangaroo suit. I was the top half, but I had no kangaroo head. The shoot was taking place on the world's tallest cliff. My job was to lie on my stomach, grab this bizarre handle below and hang upside-down from the cliff like I was in a handstand, but hanging over the edge. This was, of course, very scary... I was trying REALLY hard to smile and make the photo come out nicely, but it was really hard to balance up there like that (especially in half a kangaroo suit) and I inevitably lost my grip and plummeted towards a river below. Luckily I woke up before I hit the ground... :)

The Adventure Begins!

Sur’sday!

Ryan and I have been excited for this adventure for months now, and it is hard to believe it has finally arrived! For those of you who aren’t aware of our plans, we’re headed to Siem Reap, Cambodia to volunteer at the Angkor Hospital for Children (www.angkorhospital.org). You can read a little more about the history of Cambodia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Cambodia

The genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge Regime left Cambodia with virtually no health care system and a population with a median age of 20 (Canada's is 39). The hospital provides free treatment to children and trains local doctors.

Our trip began as every good adventure does… with an email 15 minutes before I leave for my first flight saying to Hong Kong has been canceled. Thank you for flying Cathay Pacific>. After a few calls to Cathay offices in other time zones, some itinerary changes, and lots of movies, we finally made it to Bangkok, Thailand!