Saturday, June 19, 2010

CORNHUSKERS IN CAMBODIA...


Like I mentioned in my last blog, Sriyani and I led a very talented group of students from the University of Nebraska on a recent trip to SE Asia. The emphasis of the trip was on writing and photography. We kicked off our adventure with a short visit to Singapore and finished up in Indonesia, but most of our time was spent touring Cambodia. It was remarkable to see what people notice, how perceptions differ, and how we are all affected once outside our comfort zones... I must say our little band was impressive in nimbly meeting every challenge and going with the flow, never quite knowing what was around the next corner. They remained humble and sensitive all the way... no 'ugly Americans' this time...
One of the assignments was for each student to document their trip through a personalized blog.
Let me introduce our students, encourage you to click on their blog sites, and enjoy the ride...


Tricia Dodson
http://triciadodson.tumblr.com/


Tyler Thomas
http://tyler-a-thomas.tumblr.com/


Paige Cornwell
http://paigecornwell.tumblr.com/


Tawny Burmood
http://tawnyburmood.tumblr.com/


Calli Cain
http://ccain.tumblr.com/


Hillary Winter
http://hilarywinter.tumblr.com/



Bridget Lewis
http://texastoasia.blogspot.com


Janelle Keeler
janellekeeler.tumblr.com


Chelsea Coli
http://chelseacoli.tumblr.com/


Here is Sriyani and some of our troops posing inside a tree just outside the Ta Prohm temple grounds where some may remember Angelina Jolie romping as Laura Croft in 'Tomb Raider'...


and here I am coming out of the trees with a few new friends on the Sambor Prei Kuk temple grounds in Kompong Thom...

more to come...
In the meantime, check out my students' blogs,

Tom

Saturday, June 12, 2010

BOTANICALIZED...

Sriyani and I just wrapped up a stint leading a group of University students through an intense photo and writing tour of mostly Cambodia. More to come on that when I find a more reliable internet connection...
Once we touched down our first stop was in Singapore, a misleading representation of SE Asia for newcomers to the region, but impressive in its own futuristic way. As we got acquainted with the city in our brief time there, we happened upon the Singapore Botanical Gardens. Though I'd been to Singapore many times before, I had never visited these gardens featuring a truly awesome display of orchids. The tropical conditions there are uniquely perfect for these colorful beauties to thrive, somewhat like the conditions back in Nebraska ideally suiting my present crop of dandelions...

It must be my time for botanical adventures...

Here are a few of my favorite pix from our whirlwind tour of the Orchid Gardens in Singapore...









saying it with flowers,

Tom