Where I Left Off

Dear Readers,



I am sorry that I have let my blog go. I had to go home to America and I don't have access to the internet at home. We turned everything off before we left so now we go home to a non tech house. Even the TV is awful,



Anyway, here we were in Cambodia and Steve was sick as a dog. We both suspected food poisoning. While he stayed in the hotel trying to rest, I went with the arranged tour to lunch (ate with the tour guide and the driver), to the royal palace where it poured down rain, and to the prison where thousands were unjustly tortured and finally killed at the killing fields outside town. At the royal palace I learned that the king of Cambodia helped to overthrow the French and get independence. Unfortunately he was kicked out by Pol Pot, the communist dictator who was insane. The country suffered greatly, then Pol Pot was run out into the jungle where he actually died of natural causes (he was old). He was never brought to justice, however, his men are just now being tried in court there. The king has returned but he doesn't really rule. He's just rich and kinda a god like figure.



I was taken to a resturant for dinner where they boiled my food (same as in Bali). They were sad I wasn't eating much but honestly, I was concerned that I would get sick. I wasn't trusting anyone. At the end of the meal, the restaurant went black. Someone hit the generator and the lights came back on. I understand this is a common occurance. They don't have the infrastructure needed to provide electricity all the time to everyone. All their buildings are built by other countries, even the highway. They are a beggar country. They beg for everything. But honestly, they have a keen sense of being Cambodian and want to keep their country free from the Vietnanese and Thais who keep wanting to take chunks. I have to admire them for trying.



We made the flight home the next day but Steve was so weak he could hardly walk. The stewardess noticed he was sick. Later I learned I was lucky they let us fly out. They prevent people who are noticeably sick from boarding the plane to keep diseases out. I wanted to take Steve to the hospital but he wouldn't go. Instead I took him early the next morning and by then he was down 30 pounds and kidneys in bad shape. His heartbeat was irregular and things looked bleaked. He was admitted right away and so I visited him for four days until he came home to our apartment in Singapore. He only went back to work one half day before we came home to America. We learned a valuable lesson. That was the end of our excursions to third world countries.



When we got back to the USA, we were very grateful. We got stuck in Washington D.C. overnight and that stretched our time getting home to over 36 hours. I was so messed up. But I didn't have time to relax. My daughters were coming and we drove back up to D.C. to pick them up along with Mike, Beth's boyfriend. We spent a great four days together driving around the area, wine tasting, and touring Luray Caverns. Then they left and we were alone. I was scheduled for an operation but had to cancel it because we lost our US health insurance August 1st. The USA was now out of network. I can't get health care now. This situation will last for a year.

Instead, Steve's brother and his family came to visit. We had a family party and then got ready to go back. I think we both gained at least seven pounds while we home. Steve ate because he had been sick but I ate because I wanted to eat everything I couldn't get in Singapore. I am paying for it now.

Now I am back in Singapore-back to the rain and heat. I even got sunburned (I thought I was tan enough. Not so!) I have just returned from the American embassy where I went to renew my passport. I was checked for weapons, given a number to wait, and placed in a small room with supposed only American citizens. None of them resembled Americans. They were Asian, or something else, even named Fernando. I think I was the only American there without an accent. I will be picking the passport up next week.

Well, maybe I'll have other adventures while I am back for this short time. I'll let you know. Bye.