Aloe Vera - edible?

I learned something positively fascinating last week. My friend Vy came over with food one night. She cooked a fabulous dinner like she owned the place (at least the kitchen) and I got to be treated like a spoiled guest. Yeah, she's wonderful.

So, she had a drink I had never heard of...an Aloe drink. Made from the plant Aloe Vera. Imagine my surprise. I only thought aloe was something you rubbed on sunburned skin. Boy was I wrong!

Vy told me the drink is good for the skin. Apparently there are some Asian dishes where they also cook with it.  I must admit I NEVER considered eating Aloe Vera. Aren't there little spiky things on the leaves? Who wants to put that in their mouth?

When I posted this discovery on Facebook, I also learned it is good for upset stomachs too. Really? I thought the remedy for that was Sprite.

Anyway, I learn something new from Vy all the time. Thanks, girl, for expanding my horizons and teaching me things I wouldn't know without our friendship.

just Sheri, a life-long learner

Food Street

For dinner on our last night in Wuhan, we toured "food street." This was a first for the Whincop family and we had a great time checking out the stalls and tasting a bit of what they had to offer.

D.J. was impressive! Here she is eating squid from a food booth. There wasn't a thing she didn't sample. Not only is she nearly as tall as me (and likely to surpass me by our next visit), but she is braver than me when it comes to cuisine. Well done!

 D.J. does have a mentor when it comes to adventurous eating. Her dad! Like father, like daughter. Look at those smiles!

 This man was smoking while cooking. I tried to get a snap (photo). He caught me and this was his response. Uh-uh-uh!

There were many wonderful smells and tastes...and some not so wonderful (stinky tofu for instance). But, this delicacy called "chocolate fish" left a big impression. Warm dough with melted chocolate inside - in the shape of a fish. Tough to beat - especially for someone who likes bread and chocolate. Mmmm, good! I want another, please. Too bad they are so far away.

just Sheri,  samples make a great meal

Dancing in the park

Parks in China are a gathering place. There are those playing Mahjong. Those singing or playing instruments. Groups participating in Tai Chi. Kite flying. People watching. But, my favorite public park activity - DANCING! 

I love to dance, though I don't get to do it much these days. I found a group of ladies doing ballroom dancing. One seemed to be the teacher. I jumped right in for a lesson. Ahh, dancing! Apparently, a universal language as it did not require us to communicate with words in order to connect. 

 

When I travel, it is moments like these (unscripted and shared with the locals) that I cherish. Thanks for documenting the moment, Fiona.

just Sheri, danced in the park

Patience is a virtue

Asia is full of beautiful handicrafts. In China there are many elaborate wood and marble carvings on display. Any time I see work like this, I have one thought, "that took a LOT of patience." Patience is something we lack in America. We value immediate results, but that leads to a lot of cookie cutter products. Only patience, LOTS of patience, can create a thing of such beauty.

just Sheri, an impatient American

"Venice" of China

Not far from Shanghai is an ancient water town. We took a tour. So glad we did!

Two of my favorite people on earth.

our "gondolier"

Fiona striking a pose.

Every day life happening around us. A lady doing her washing in the river as we pass by on our boat tour.

just Sheri, explorer on an expedition

Touring Shanghai on foot

Our first full day in China was spent taking a walking tour of Shanghai. This is a city that was new to my dad and I. He came with a list of things to see written on a piece of paper. Our tour guide, Fiona, did her best to show us those that made the top of her list. Here is a sample of what we saw on our tour...

Yuyuan Garden

Just outside the gardens is shopping, eating, and crowds. Though I am told this is not crowded. We came just after a long holiday, which means most folks had to return to work and this was only the remnant. Can you see the small Starbucks sign on the left? 

The city was calling to us from the distance. That was the next stop. 

Museum at the Pearl Tower
There were a couple of sites that earn honorable mention at the museum.

This is an ancient bridal carriage. Very ornate. Likely heavy. The bride had to be teeny-tiny to fit inside. A must see in person as photos don't do it justice.

The museum curators had set up scenes of ancient China throughout the museum. They fenced these off with short iron gates and put up signs asking people not to disturb the display.

I guess the locals believe that message is for everyone else (though written in their language). At each display there were locals jumping the fence and making themselves part of the scene. I took a picture of them taking a picture of themselves in the display. Ahhh, China!

The Bund (a.k.a. financial district of Shanghai)
You may look at these buildings and think, "I wasn't expecting buildings like this in China. Those look more European." You'd be right. Back in the day when international trade happened through ship ports, Europeans built this on the water front for trade purposes. Today, it houses financial institutions, hotels and high-end shopping. It is a major tourist attraction for the city - glad I got to see it first hand.

just Sheri, enjoying the role of "tourist"

I went to China and I saw...

Red lanterns. Lots and lots of red lanterns.

 An iconic building. The Pearl Tower. A symbol of Shanghai.

Chinese writing...on sidewalks, buildings, and even a Snickers bar from the airport. (hand modeled by Fiona)

Local markets. (The only shopping I actually enjoy.)

Fishing in the middle of a park in the city of Wuhan.

 People that I love - despite the miles between us.

Signs that make me laugh. Someday, I hope to get a good photo of footprints on the toilet bowl. This was the next best thing - a sign telling people not to stand on the toilet seat.

"Indigenous food."

These scenes were experienced with my favorite travel buddy by my side, from beginning to end. My dad - an exceptional man who is dear to my heart.

just Sheri, a jet lagged traveler with a happy heart

lychee fruit

Would you eat this?

Apparently most Americans shy away because of the spiky outer shell. But, tear in to that and there is a sweet, refreshing fruit in the center. I had my first lychee fruit in Thailand many moons ago. I have eaten many over the years and became fond of the juice too. On a hot day in the tropics, it is refreshing! Thankfully I can still get them at my favorite grocery - Global Foods. I am attracted to them now because seeing one produces fond memories of far away lands...I have yet to experience Cambodia hot outside of Cambodia.

Recently I was hanging out with a group of people. One of them from India, one from Laos and two Americans. I was one of the two Americans. The Indian had tried to introduce lychee to his American friend. But the friend wasn't having it. Myself and the Laotian encouraged him to get past the exterior, because what is inside is tasty.

My fellow Americans hesitancy did make me question who was the first person to discover the gem inside the lychee? I certainly wouldn't have tried it solo. I tried it because I watched others eating it and I was curious.

Have you eaten a lychee? did you like it? would you be willing to try it?

just Sheri, still loving the fruits of the tropics

Vietnamese Coconut Dessert - WOW!

My student continues to expose me to Vietnamese cuisine. 

Last week she shared with me the most amazing thing - a coconut dessert. It was like a party in my mouth. I don't know what she did to that coconut water to make it smooth like pudding with a gelatin layer. Then she froze it. She told me it is best cold. I was hooked by the first bite. Oh my! It was sooooo tasty!

I have told her that she must tell me how she made this wonderful creation. She promised to share her secret.

Affinity for coconut was an acquired taste for me, but now I LOVE it. Coconut in any form is wonderful, this is now top of my list - trumping the previous number one of coconut ice cream from Bangkok, Thailand or coconut shakes in Battambong, Cambodia.

just Sheri, grateful for the hospitality

culture shock: goose poop

I get asked a lot if transitioning back to America has been easy or hard. Though I can speak the language, am familiar with the customs, and am living in my homeland - it has not been easy.

One thing that has emerged as a common thread of difficulty for me is to hear Americans complaining while they experience so much luxury.  It is as if all the comforts have made them discontent with living. I don't often say anything, but inside I feel a sense of anger.

A few years ago someone asked me if the disparity I observed in my travels made me mad. I answered that it wasn't the disparity so much, but what makes me mad is to hear those who have so much complain - I'd rather they be grateful for their good fortune.

By contrast, that same year I met a family in Thailand who were living in a box made of scraps of stuff that other people threw away - some wood, sheets of plastic and cardboard. They had made a raised bed that the three of them slept on and were growing a small garden for food. They told stories of staying up all night trying to keep the rain out of their little home, while laughing about the experience. When asked how they were doing, her answer surprised me. She said they had enough, and that she is grateful to God that he had blessed them with enough. That warms my heart - gratefulness, despite difficult circumstances.

There are days when I am reminded of my good life. For instance, these fake dogs made and sold to scare away geese who have come to cohabitate in our beautifully manicured and landscaped developments. I am surprised there is a whole industry for such things. I am surprised that so many have spent so much time trying to come up with a solution to the problem of geese visitors on human claimed land. Why does this make me appreciative?

On those days I think, "if that is the worst problem you have. You have a good life."

I do hope the good life is appreciated. I doubt the person who has to scoop up the goose droppings is thinking about their blessings...but, they are blessed. No matter what their circumstances, they have more than most of the world and in comparison to issues like civil war, vast famine, or oppressive corruption - goose poop isn't such a bad problem to have.

just Sheri, counting my blessings

re-emergence of human trafficking

I have never taken a job with a focus on human trafficking. However, this issue has emerged in every endeavor I have been a part of in the past seven years. To me, that speaks to the prevalence of this issue.

I have been writing on this blog about human trafficking since 2008. You can read those posts: here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. It is mentioned many more times, but these are the posts dedicated specifically to the topic.

In November I returned to America. Though I know that America is a destination point for humans that are trafficked and I am well aware that this is a global issue - I didn't expect to run in to it. Then BAM! There it was again, rearing it's ugly head.

Human trafficking appeared almost immediately when I started volunteering for the Community Foundation health research project. Someone suggested I include it in the report. I hadn't considered the possibility. I started asking around and the results were astounding. Yes, human trafficking was an issue of concern - even in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

At one interview I had an undergraduate intern with me. The interview subject worked for an organization helping individuals overcome substance abuse. Near the end of our interview I asked the question about human trafficking. Oh, the stories they had to tell! When we got back in the car, the intern was in shock. I told her I felt like I had robbed her of some innocence, simply by having her present during those graphic descriptions. She mentioned it for weeks.

The 2010 global Trafficking in Persons report states the need in the United States for education of law enforcement - how to recognize and address the problem. Given one local news story, I agree with that recommendation. One interviewee told me a horrible story of police behaving badly. Apparently, in an effort to crack down on prostitution local detectives were participating in sex acts with the accused. When asked why they behaved in such a manner, the detectives said the sex acts were necessary because the ladies "don't speak much English." The obvious question, at least in my mind, is - where did these girls come from? It would seem to me they were victimized multiple times - trafficked, sexually exploited, and then treated as criminals. I am not making this up, you can read this story in the Washington Post.

After I was made aware of the issue locally, I also learned that Virginia was forming an anti-trafficking task force. Good move. But, they were limiting the majority of activities to the big city of Richmond. That is unfortunate.

I have also learned that not all cops behave badly (thankfully!). In my new job I was told a story of an officer who rescued some girls from a brothel, and rather then prosecute them he worked to find them a safe place to stay. He enlisted the help of a faith-based youth residential facility. That facility has now taken on this issue as one of their own.

When discussions began with this youth facility and they mentioned human trafficking as one of their focus services, I shouldn't have been surprised. It seems to come up so often I should expect it by now. But, I didn't. The issue of human trafficking had, once again, found it's way in to my work.

just Sheri, beginning to think this is more than coincidence

P.S. One of the largest, and most effective, organizations addressing this issue right now is Polaris Project. Click on their logo to learn more about their work.

cultural experience: grass jelly drink

My student has decided to share some cultural experiences with me. I embrace these opportunities, it was part of why I wanted a student from another place - so they could expand my horizons, and broaden my perspective.

Once she brought me home-made food. Recently, she brought me a new drink - grass jelly.

I wasn't really sure what to expect. Drinking grass hadn't been on my bucket list, nor did I think it would taste good. But, she assured me it was fine. After our meeting, when we had already said our good-byes I opened the can. The smell was unusual. I forged ahead.

The taste wasn't bad - sort of like root beer or strong tea. I kept drinking.

Then I was hit by a surprise - chunks. I suddenly discovered the "jelly" part of the drink. It included chewy squares of something. Again, not bad - just unexpected.

I finished my first can of grass jelly drink. Then I texted her my reaction, including the surprising chunks.

Her response, "LOL." She promised to bring me more items to taste test.

just Sheri, enjoying new experiences

I saw what I saw...and I can't forget it

There is a song that has been on repeat in my car for days now. It accurately describes my feelings these days. The artist is a young woman by the name of Sara Groves.

I have seen the ugliness of humanity - the effects of civil war, displaced people groups due to corruption or natural disaster, death and dying, abandonment, exploitation, violence, isolation, insatiable greed, destructive arrogance, struggle and oppression.

I have also seen the beauty of humanity - deep relationship, abounding kindness, love and generosity, unwaivering hope, joy in spite of circumstance, peace that surpasses understanding, inspiring compassion and undying faith.

These experiences changed my life. Along the road, they changed me. I don't know what I left behind that is of value, but I hope to pass on what I have learned from those I met on the road.



just Sheri, witness to humanity

chum-reap-lee-ahh (good-bye in Khmer)

Today, we leave Cambodia on our way to Mozambique, Africa.
This was not part of the original plan. I originally thought we would be in Cambodia at least one year...but plans can unexpectedly change.

In Cambodia, the formal way to say good-bye is hands together in a praying position and say, "chum reap lee ahh." (Ronald McDonald, from Bangkok, and I are demonstrating this on the right) So, I find myself formally saying good-bye to Cambodia.

In my old role I visited Mozambique a few times. In fact, it was the last country I visited before making the move to Cambodia. There are many things to like about Mozambique and I look forward to discovering this new location and getting to know the staff teams there.

Change seems to be a constant in our lives. I can tell you - no matter how many times I have to do it - saying good-bye never gets easier. Many tears have been shed about this change as I have really enjoyed serving with the staff teams here. I will miss them dearly.

Good-bye, Cambodia! Thanks for the memories.

Andong community

We are currently doing work in a couple of urban resettlement communities. This is Andong community. There are over 700 families living in this community. We recently conducted a nutrition assessment on kids under five and found that around 38% of the kids are malnourished. That is an astonishing percentage! We are working to remedy that situation. There are many problems in this community, many, we cannot solve them all. We will do what we can for these kids.

how do you know your country is developed and not developing?

If your country can build and sustain a mall like this,

then you know you are in a developed and not a developing nation.

this photo was taken at a mall in Bangkok, Thailand

Interesting International Facts: mango seed

Did you know?

In Thai and Khmer, they call a cashew nut a "mango seed." Yeah, like the mango fruit.

If you've eaten a mango you know a cashew looks nothing like a mango seed. I asked, why? I was told because a cashew looks like a little mango.

a Christian response to sex tourism

I am invited to a meeting next Friday that sparked my interest and made me aware of some ugly parts of my soul that needed to be revealed.

There is a group reaching out to the men who come to places like Thailand and Cambodia for the purpose of pleasure seeking. This group has an innovative strategy. Operating under the belief that God cares deeply about everyone, they go in to the red light districts and build relationships with the clients. Just reading about the MST project challenged me to view these men in a new light; not as predators, but as broken people suffering from the same things that ail me - brokenness, sin, loneliness and a desire to be loved. Reading the stories on their blog sparked compassion in me that did not previously exist.

It also made me realize something else...the invitation to the meeting was a training of sorts, to answer the question: what should I do in the face of this evil? (evil is not their word, but mine) Following the meeting we are invited to go with the group to the red light districts and start up conversations. That scares me.

I've often wondered what to do in these situations. I've wondered how to respond. I am now being offered an opportunity to do just that and my first reaction is to retreat to my safe and hygenic environment. It is a lot easier to look out at these things with morbid curiosity, it is a whole lot more difficult to walk in to the mess and start to get my hands dirty in the work.

God, give me the courage to take this opportunity to learn more about your heart for the hurting in our world. Thank you for challenging my perspective and showing me, once again, how deep your love is for us. Thank you for showing me how you love everyone regardless of where they are at, even those I may not like very much.

The question still remains, can I be one of the few who will stand on the street corner and offer them HOPE? Can you?

a few of my favorite things...

Since I was a little girl there are two things I loved and found very relaxing - someone to play with my hair, or someone to rub my feet.

Living in Asia, I can indulge in these relaxing favorites just about anywhere - and for an affordable price! For $5 USD, I can get a good foot massage for an hour that usually puts me to sleep and afterwards leaves me feeling like I am walking on air. For $1 USD, I can have someone in a salon give me a 45-minute hair wash/head massage.

Yeah, some days things are hard and there are lots of difficultlies in our current life. I thought I'd share with you some of the perks.

Yes, these are just a few of my favorite things.

contributing to corruption

Corruption is rampant where we live. In day to day activities we are faced with the choice of whether or not we will contribute to it.

It seems an easy choice to say, "No. I won't be party to corruption." But what if paying a bribe may mean the chance to get your stuff from home out of customs quicker? What if paying a bribe gets your car registered in a matter of days rather than months? what if paying a bribe is actually helping a government worker who is paid $25-50 per month to support their family?

I wish it weren't so, but we are asked almost daily to pay bribes in one form or another. I know where I stand on this. I will not pay. To me, the ends do not justify the means.

I would rather wait for my stuff to come out of customs. In fact, we did. It took us weeks to get our stuff from home out of customs. Kenyon went everyday with a new form they had asked for, he started keeping a folder of all the forms requested. It was ridiculous. We were told by many, just pay them and you will get your stuff. No. I won't be party to corruption.

If we had been willing to pay bribes, then the car the office recently purchased would have been registered weeks ago and instead we are now waiting for an indefinite period of time. The current prediction is another month. I choose to wait, I will not be party to corruption.

I am not making up that most government workers, including the police, only net $25-50 per month. Though the cost of living is less here than in other parts of the world, it would be impossible for anyone to live on that. These are the working poor and their only other means of supporting their family is to collect bribes. I feel badly for their situation, but I will not be party to corruption.

Making this choice is not as easy as one might think. When living in a place where corruption is the norm, it isn't always easy to be abnormal.