Service Trip to Cambodia This Journal keeps track of my experiences as an Epic Volunteer for Vail Resorts while in Siem Reap and the surrounding villages during a Chiropractic Service Trip staying at Hariharalaya Retreat Center.

Tour to the 12th Century

CAMBODIA | Thursday, 4 Jan 2018 | Views [465]

After a dinner (where anything went – meat, gluten, alcohol, etc.) back in Siem Reap at Spoons which is a restaurant near and dear to my heart as it supports kids in Siem Reap and teaches them Hospitality skills. http://egbokmission.org/spoons-... Read more >

Final Service Day, Learnings, and Thanks

CAMBODIA | Wednesday, 3 Jan 2018 | Views [473]

Morning practice was done along with breakfast and after that was finished, we had our group picture taken and the rest of the guests left and Lauren’s team stayed behind. The final service day was for the entire staff and their families ... Read more >

It's all in the wrists

CAMBODIA | Tuesday, 2 Jan 2018 | Views [449]

On our final night at the retreat center, the Cambodian staff and their families came to the property to play music for us and show us dances performed at a traditional wedding ceremony. A ceremony which lasts all day and by all day, I mean it.... Read more >

Yoga Pilgrimmage

CAMBODIA | Tuesday, 2 Jan 2018 | Views [340]

After our second service day, the group decided to go on one of the Retreat events which was a Yoga Pilgrimmage to a Hidden Hindu Temple. It is Hidden because it is not on the Ankgor Temple map so it is not known to tourists. We took out ... Read more >

Find the Yes

CAMBODIA | Monday, 1 Jan 2018 | Views [375]

After lunch on New Year’s Day we loaded up the Tuk Tuk’s and headed off to our next village. We got to another beautiful structure in another village and got to work. This venue didn’t look to have been used recently so ... Read more >

Games and New Year's Eve

USA | Sunday, 31 Dec 2017 | Views [279]

Let’s chat on the games that were played while on property. Some came from the staff and others from Dan (Aussie) who used to be a youth group leader. In his words, you get super creative when working with children and have no money ... Read more >

Fearlessness

USA | Saturday, 30 Dec 2017 | Views [295]

After writing the name of this entry, I have to pause as I have a hard time verbalizing the experience I had with the villagers. While meditation hasn’t allowed me the chance to step back and take look at my life from a place of calm, the ... Read more >

Vegan / Gluten Free Life

CAMBODIA | Saturday, 30 Dec 2017 | Views [364]

Now onto the food before getting to the good stuff. Breakfast, lunch and dinner of Vegan food only was an intimidating mindset to get into as I have never done either aside from a cleanse here or there. I was excited to try Cambodian food and flavors ... Read more >

Meditation Sucks

CAMBODIA | Friday, 29 Dec 2017 | Views [392]

Morning and Evening practice consist of yoga, meditation and as we went through the week, added in chanting and breathing exercises. As I have not spent much time at all at yoga and essentially none at meditation (visualizing was something we did ... Read more >

Gong Time

CAMBODIA | Friday, 29 Dec 2017 | Views [456]

After a delicious buffet breakfast aka the “last meal” with any meat, dairy, eggs etc aka non Vegan, we took off in some Tuk Tuks to meet up with the Hariharalaya group. I also got the chance to meet the rest of the group that came ... Read more >

Tuk Tuks

CAMBODIA | Thursday, 28 Dec 2017 | Views [379]

Arriving in Siem Reap was as if a mix of cultures or generations came together and met at the airport. First, the customs and baggage area was super modern, surprisingly to me as I was thinking more along the lines of expecting a Caribbean arrival ... Read more >

Don't open the door

CAMBODIA | Thursday, 28 Dec 2017 | Views [420]

Travel has always given me little moments /stories as well as amazingly big moments that I will never forget. Seeing new places, experiencing different cultures, trying new foods, finding new friends, etc. Some might say that I am not satisfied ... Read more >