East>West

I've been neglecting my blog these past couple of weeks--not sure if I was too lazy or had nothing to say, maybe both. My time in Cambodia is now flying by and unbelievably, I have just under a month left before starting my next adventure. My return to PEPY has been what I expected (same great people) and hasn't been (lots of office work rather than trip leading). Nonetheless, I am extremely happy with my decision to come back for four months, as its been rewarding to again be a part of an inspiring organization, and I have certainly learned a little more about Cambodia and Khmer culture.

On March 14, I'll fly to Honolulu to visit Aki, a good friend from Japan whom I haven't seen since I left. It will be my first time to Hawaii, and we have plenty of plans for sun and beach and biking and hiking volcanoes and maybe kite-surfing and eating too much and rehashing good times from Japan. 本当なつかしい！

Ten days later I will fly to Panama, my first return since I finished my Peace Corps service in December 2004. I'll have about a week to see old host families and friends and check out a friend's (and former PC vollie) Planting Empowerment project before busing up to Quepos in Costa Rica to meet my dad and his Rotary Club for a week-long project there. Afterward, I will return to Panama for a few more weeks to visit my site El Satro in the Veraguas mountains and enjoy everything Panamanian I have missed these past four years (patacones, tipico music, salomas, campo Spanish, conversations with strangers, etc.).

I will return to NC in late April for at least a month to spend some time with the family and enjoy Appalachian Spring. In June, I will return to Backroads for another summer of tripleading and campcheffing, though I don't know yet what region I will work.

Feels good to have a plan...