I suppose the title of this blog is not wholly accurate for this is, somewhat reluctantly, a travel blog(ue). The reluctance was heightened by a comment from a certain blonde Rusophile friend of mine made right before I left-- "Just don't, you know, write one of those blogs," complete with eye-rolling sound effects that could be heard over the cellular phone. Point taken, and I think we all know what she means. However the fact remains that I will be living and working in a foreign land for the next four months, and this blog will be an outlet for my thoughts--not my thoughts representing Kiva, and not my (bountiful) thoughts on food. Just my thoughts, period. Provided freely and without having to clog anyone’s inbox (though I might still do that).
So why am I way over yonder in Cambodia, you ask? After seven long years, I decided it was time to take a break from New York and see some other cities while I am still young. We’ve been through a hell of a lot, but sometimes a relationship can get stagnant, and each year begins to bleed indistinguishably into the last or the next. I’m fairly certain that I will always go back to New York. After all, it is the only place that I’ve ever felt truly at home. But for now, I will be spending my time working in and preparing for a field that I am tremendously passionate and excited about: social entrepreneurship.
In Cambodia, I will be a Kiva fellow working with the Cambodian microfinance institution CREDIT. I only started on Thursday, but already I know I am truly lucky to get to work with some really wonderful, fun, talented, and dedicated people. I also learned that CREDIT is a Christian organization, which would explain why at 4:30 p.m. each Friday all the staff gathers in the lobby for “devotion.” I’m doubly lucky that they let a pagan like me work there.
After my time at CREDIT, I will do some traveling in the region before meeting the rest of the Pei clan in Taipei to surprise grandmamma Pei for her big 9-0 (shhh!!). Then I will make my merry way back to the States for biznass skewel.
So there you have it, the raison d’etre, kind of, of this non-travelblogue blog. Please enjoy very much and thank you.
