The islands of southern thailand are spectacular! the water sparkles and the lush green mountains rise out of the sea like gleaming emalds. Rock climbing on railay beach, clive diving on ko toa and snorkling of the monkey island near ko phi phi was incredible. Bus trips, boat trips, train rides abound when moving so quickly through a country and it gets confusing at times as to where you are. Border crossing into Cambodia was sketchy. There were alot of questionable circumstance requiring a guide who tried to extort us during the process. Life in Cambodia is sadly depresing. Kids begging in the streets of Siem Reap was hard to take and the overall poverty is staggering, even in citys that are geared to tourism. A terrible over night bus to Sihounikvelle on the coast for a few days. The town is a conglomeration of modernized buildings and dirt roads. the beach was decent and we made an overnight trip to bamboo island. Stayed in a shack on the beach but was kept up by creatures of the night and zero breeze. No electrity during the night left us boiling and sticky. The beach was quite and the island interesting but it wasnt all that it was expected to be like. Kampot is a river town, old in architecture from the french occupation and in need of some infrastructural improverments. Rats and dogs rival human for population density and it seems like the rats were winning. A late night walk around a city tells all when the most frequent questioned asks by motobike drivers is "you wan' marjuana?" isnt that illegal? Ten days in Cambodia left me seriosly in despair. There are high hopes for this country and I hope for them as well.

Born in the USA!!!

I've always been a fan of soccer, sorry, football and
the World Cup is the premier global tournament played on a four year cycle at varying locations. This years 2010 World Cup
is being played in South Africa featuring 32 of the worlds top national teams, including The United States. American soccer
has come a long way in the last four years following 2006s terrible showing in the World Cup. The team plays well together
and have a great balance of talent and experience.Hopes run high for a solid showing and with England, Slovakia, Algeria
and America in the same four team grouping expectations are that England and America would advance but first the games have
to be played and the first game US plays is versus England. High drama indeed considering Englands history. Chris and I are
in Patong Beach for the 1:30 am start and he decided to take his small American flag he carries everywhere and nail it to a
bamboo pole so we could parade the flag down Bangla Rd before the game. Patong is a very touristy city with tons of
westerners and England was very well represented with most bars catering to the English fan. We passed in front of the
Yorkshire Restaurant and Hotel and were summarily booed. What better place to watch the game than in the enemies camp?
So in we walked proudly at 1 am flag awaving to a very raucous crowd as the lone American contingent. We were gonna be
there for the longhaul, win lose or draw and I certainly was not going to let boos and harmless taunts chase us out. Soon
some of the patrons came over to shake hands and commend our kutzpah for showing up, even though England was going to crush
the US team. Laughs were had and soon the owner came over and bought us a couple of beers in thanks for coming in. We joked
for a few minutes and he excused himself. Chris and I were just laughing about our predicament and planning our escape
should things turn sour when the music stopped and a very familiar tune began playing, "Born in the USA" was filling the
room and soon all eyes were on us. Chris grabbed his flag and began strolling around the restaurant waving the flag and
singing stopping in front of the projector screen to make sure everyone in the room knew why that song was on. When the
song ended we were greeted with a nice round of applause and a more laughs. If there was any doubt about the American
presence that night it was gone now. The game started soon after that and we watched as England scored rather quickly and
the crowd cheered robustly as they made sure we knew what just happened. All in all they were very sportsmanlike in thier
ribbing but from the looks of things we may be in for a long night. The game went on with great play from both clubs. Each
side had many offensive oppurtunities and the Americans settled down. Late in the first half Clint Dempsey pushed a ball
pass the English keeper to tie the score and chris and I leapt with joy and celebration chanting USA USA USA amidst boos
and jeers. I didnt care, this was shaping up to be a great match and we were soaking it in. Soon after the goal was scored
some guy walked past and slapped the flag dangling from our tables edge. I called him out on it and heated words were
exchanged but his buddy stepped in and quieted him down and apologized to us saying there wasnt going to be trouble. The
owner came over talked to him and them informed us that we didnt have anything to worry about there. A number of other guys
came by and mirrored his remarks and added that if anything did start itd be dealt with. It made me feel good about the
Brits there because the reputation is of rowdy unstable fans causing trouble. Here everyone was mutually cordial and laughs
were had in good fun. After the first half I walked outside for some air and the flag slapper walked out. I expected more
of the same but to my surprise he shook hand, wished me luck and left the bar. The second half was more of the same from
the two sides, a very even match played well with multiple chances and when the final whistle blew marking fulltime the
score remained 1-1. America had tied England and as a result set themselves up for a successful group round. A draw was
more to the Americans advantage and everyone knew it as they filed past us to shake our hands and comment on the match.
The game was great the atmosphere lively and unforgettable and I walked away with a little more respect for the English
football fan. Sure they like to get rowdy, cheer obsessively and on occasion make some trouble but football is the worlds
biggest sport and England home to a very supportive fanbase. I was more than happy to have watched a great world cup match
with a great group of fans.Oh, and one more thing....."I WAS BOOOOOOOOORN IN THE USA!"