As soon as we arrived at Odong, an ornate temple dedicated to the past kings and queens of Cambodia built high atop a mountain about forty kilometers from Phnom Penh, a handful of local schoolboys approached us. We didn’t realize it at that time but we were about to have one of the most unexpected and significant encounters on our around-the-world journey. Come with us to Odong and meet the remarkable Small Guides who showed us the way.
Honestly…weeping at the end of this.
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. Oh, those remarkable faces!
Amazing boys! Very touching.
Instant classic.
I still am in awe of your whole experience and how easily you can make friends with people… you have a curiosity and openness that makes it all possible… others could attempt such a journey, but would never even come close to the amazing year you are having! Brava, ancora! Nene
I miss the Small Guides already.
Was directed to your website from a travel board (we are about to take a Thailand trip with our kids). Have been considering/trying to plan a year off with our kids (who wold be 13, 13, and 10) starting in summer 2014. This video sums up to me one of the main reasons I want to do this….amazing. I don’t know your family, but am inspired by following your journey. Would also love to hear from your kids, as mine are pretty unsure about the idea….
Thank you for this! This is the kind of very special experience one can find in S.E. Asia—meeting people with an authenticity and a purity that strikes a simple and beautiful chord in our souls. We see it in these young smiling faces that shine with a bright spirit…of what? Could it be part of the Buddhist culture in these countries? Maybe. Compared to we Westerners, they have nothing of the THINGS or MATERIAL COMFORTS we have, but they seem to have something else…something that makes them more genuine and more available to other people. At least from the observations of this tourist.
At the end, Mark, when you hugged the boy, then again for a second time….I deeply felt what I imagined to be your reluctance to leave him. And when, in parting, you said, “Have a good life”, I knew you meant it sincerely from the deepness of your heart…
Beautiful.
xox,#1FANNY
Mark, tears came to my eyes watching you hug the young boy…thought you were ready to take him home with you. …you are all amazing….thanks for sharing this journey…I am a long time buddy of wonderful Doris and Gail.
That was just exquisite. What beautiful bright shiny faces. Thank you.
Ah, tears again – those eyes, those smiles and the warmth and closeness and good will that can develop in minutes. Thank you.
Thank you for today’s journey
Mark you are a very great “big guide ”
With gratitude and admiration
Dr Rick
PS: I just read it was the sage Markandeya
that fell out of Vishnu’s mouth when Vishnu was
sleeping and by doing so was able to see the
Entire universe all at once for the first time
Happy Chanukah
Dr Rick
Incredible. I felt the water as Franny put it on her face. Franny and Finn are so beautiful….the music, the small guides….all of you together…..such a gorgeous film. Love to all, and happy first night of Hanukkah! xoxo Dawn
Absolutely beautiful!
I’ll take eight small guides to go, please.
That kid was incredible. I hope he runs the world someday.
Dear Mark,Jean,Franny, Finn
I would like to say Hello to you all from Cambodia
and HAPPY NEW YEAR !
It’s so beautiful about your “The small boy”.
Many Thanks to bring us and our country around the word by this video.
I miss you all, specially Franny at floating village you get hurt your finger..Finn dislike the rice field !!!
With Love
Kosal
Weeping.
Ok…I am ready to go on a plane and find and ADOPT Rot….one of my favorite quotes so far and I can do it exactly was Jenny saying something about “it’s good to be a monk for a little while!!”…one of my favorites so far…