Incredible Day
Posted by: James Hathaway
Posted by Dr. Judy Greenwald
Well, it's our first full day in Phnom Penh. We began by taking a tuck tuck around the city to get an overview of our environs. That was a prelude to our visit to the master performers' demonstration of the work they are doing revitalizing the music and dance almost lost to the abyss. The children who performed were beautiful and extraordinarily talented in their music, dance and opera recitals.
However, it does not paint the picture entirely if we do not mention the utter squalor and poverty in which these schools reside. None of us (including me the third world traveler) have ever seen the like. We strolled through rubble and shambles for homes as the people greeted us with "hellos" on our way to visit the school. Such kindness and generosity from them as they proudly demonstrated their skill. It also is of note that we recited numbers up to 100, the days of the week and the months of the year with them. Emily and I gave the dancers lessons in pirouettes and change ma's.
Speak to you soon. We all thank you for your responses to us. It helps us feel we are having an impact from world to world, culture to culture.
Posted by James Hathaway at February 15, 2005 12:44 PM
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James:
This is great to read and share in. Keep the blogs coming. I wish I could be there.
Martin
Helo Ella it is I, your Charming friend Taleen. It sounds like your having a great time. Actually i'm posting this to tell you that you got into the Lincoln Center Chamber music thing with James and Hye won!! *claps* congratualtoins! Enjoy the rest of your visit and when you get back we must sit and chat for hours on end about Cambodian arts. Au Revoir!
Hello Martin! Thank you for your kind words! I cannot take credit for this post, actually. It was posted by Dr. J.... we are all having an incredible time. Thank you for your support.
James
Judy,
It is wonderful to follow the trip daily. I am sure you are taking lots of great photos. I can't wait to see them when you return. A big hello to everyone.
Have a great day!!!
Eugenia
Hi Judy,
It is good to hear from you. I am glad that all of you are trying to make a difference in people's lives.
Talk to you soon.
Dora K.
It's the end of a school day in Tenafly and I looked at this site that Bill forwarded to all of us in the MS. I forwarded this to one more person in our school district. Mrs. Mosier who teaches our K/1 transition class in Smith was born in Cambodia. She is very eager to follow your travels and adventures. Keep them coming please and enjoy this very special trip.
Best wishes for a continued meaningful experiences,
Faye Zharnest
Thanks for your comments. Keep them coming as well. Tell Mrs. Mosier we will look forward as a group to talk to her when we return. She can tell us her story as well. I know that she was here until 1975 and our students would be very interested in her experiences.
Hi Judy,
It's nice to read about all your adventures. I enjoyed reading Jessica's post, too. You look as though you're having a ball in the dancing picture! It's sad to hear about all the poverty and prostitution; this will be a real lesson for the THS kids. Reading Jess's post, I can tell she's already realized how fortunate she is to live in a place like Tenafly.
What an amazing experience for all of you! Keep posting.
Gary
Thank you Eugenia, Dora, and Mr.Whitehead. Love hearing from you on the blog. Yesterday was quite an experience as you can tell from the students'blogs. The Killing Fields were heartwrenching and moved us all to tears. Today we learned more about landmines and their removal from the government agency. We learned great lessons and mostimportantly that all is not hopeless. Our work, inch by inch, is helping.
Gary, you are to leave soon for your endeavor. That will be a challenge as well.
Judy,
I just had a chance to see the pictures and read everyone's reflections. We are all thinking of you guys. The people you will touch when you return will be a wonderful tribute to those you meet. Tell the kids that we are all proud of them. Keep up the great work!!
Love,
John and Mackay's Staff and students
Wow! that must've been an increadble day!
Mr Hyman I have so many things to ask you!
How's the weather? how are the people? What do they eat? How long was the flight?
I hope you can answer me when you come back! I wish I could talk to them! Did you have troble comunicating with them? did you learn a little cambodian?
-Neta
Judy,
I am so moved by your students- they are so incredibly wise, open, sensitive. WOW!! I wrote personally to Jessica as i felt she was struggling to make sense of some of what she has seen. How wonderful that children who have grown up privileged can be so aware. It gives me hope for the future. How wonderful to see all these citizens of the world.
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