π· I'm Back In Cambodia!! π¬ HIVE Family Reunited And Home After 3 Years Stranded Abroad π¨βπ©βπ§βπ§
βΆοΈ Watch on 3Speak
I am still recovering from jetlag and catching up on ASEAN Hive Community curation and engagement, but I wanted to share this news and special moment with you all.
The Nightmare Is (Almost) Over π
Β Β Β I am back with my family again in Cambodia after an unintended 3-year exodus in Ecuador/Suriname caused by COVID-19 international bureaucratic stupidity and related visa issues. If you have read any of my blog posts the last 3 years, you probably have a basic understanding of my family's ordeal being stranded abroad in an unfamiliar land and having to cope with Suriname's economic collapse and a global pandemic on top of that.
Β Β Β We attempted US immigration and also a return to Cambodia, but both were denied. What was supposed to be a multipurpose one to two month trip abroad to get married, have a honeymoon, and also introduce my American family to my Cambodian family, ended up being the most epic struggle and fight for day-to-day survival and basic human/family rights we all have ever endured.
Β Β Β The bitterness in my heart towards the politicians and bureaucrats responsible for the hell my family lived through the last three years will take a long time to fade, but for now I am simply rejoicing and can't stop staring at my lovely ladies. The ordeal to get out of the USA (and into Cambodia) was also full of hurdles (and a bribe), and I was actually the last person to board the plane in S. Korea, having been held back because my COVID-19 test didn't have a stamp or signature.
Β Β Β I had actually spent a total of $700 to rent a car, hotel, and pay for a PCR test at a facility far from the countryside where I was staying in the USA, conveniently located inside the Indianapolis Airport that I'd be departing from a few days later, albeit only with a negative COVID test result. After already having slowly lost everything over the last three years, I was not happy about this added cost.
Β Β Β The testing facility that conducted my COVID test only offered results only via e-mail, and refused to sign or stamp my test, something I made clear is required for my entry into Cambodia. I asked them to call the lab downtown and arrange a signature (which they did), so I spent my last day in the USA frantically running around downtown Indianapolis searching for a well-hidden and unmarked laboratory in a random skyscraper.
Β Β Β I was told I could only come to the facility between 2 and 4 o'clock, and after finally finding it, the elevator was locked and they didn't answer their phone either. After sitting for an hour downstairs I saw a janitor and asked him if I was indeed sitting below a COVID testing lab. He told me I was and I asked kindly if he could use his ID card to open the elevator and run upstairs to confirm my appointment with them.
Β Β Β Of course they didn't know who I was or anything about me needing a signature or stamp on my test. They weren't aware of my supposed appointment, my request was denied, and I flew out the next day knowing I may be prevented boarding my connection flight in S. Korea, and thus deported back to the USA. Well, I was prevented boarding my connecting flight in S. Korea, but eventually allowed on as the last passenger after a hellish situation involving more stupid bureaucrats trying to please the "paper tiger," a situation which nearly caused me to lash out and have a panic attack.
πΊ Stay Tuned...
Β Β Β The main thing is that I am here with my family in Phnom Penh now, and how disgusting our low-budget guesthouse room is absolutely inconsequential. I feel like a King even though I have to occasionally hit a rat with a broomstick just to get in our room. I'm not familiar with Phnom Penh's geography, but the universe has a good sense of humor. We happen to be staying on a sex tourist street, so everywhere we look it's just old fat white guys with questionably young Khmer teenage girls wandering around for cheap beers.
Β Β Β I'm gonna go ahead and finish this post here, it's 1:00am and I still have to proofread and publish Srey-Yuu's (1 day late) Top 3 for the ASEAN Hive Community before going to bed, and do some curation for which I am still 3 days behind on. Soon I'll have to manage my time and self-imposed responsibilities for ASEAN Hive in a way that allows me to begin posting again daily from my personal profile, something I miss very much, even though I would love to continue to read and comment on every single post published within the friendliest community on Hive.
Β Β Β So I will leave you with the above picture of a saleswoman holding a brochure for something I just placed a $200 deposit on. Hint.....it's 435cc's of diesel fury and it's not a John Deere tractor. Later this week you'll all get to see our new "home." It will comfortably sΜΆeΜΆaΜΆtΜΆ ΜΆ6ΜΆ ΜΆpΜΆaΜΆsΜΆsΜΆeΜΆnΜΆgΜΆeΜΆrΜΆsΜΆ accommodate 6 guests. Surprise ruined?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN HIVE AND START EARNING CRYPTO LIKE US
 |  | π GIVE THANKS π |  |  |
|---|
βΆοΈ 3Speak
Your content has been voted as a part of Encouragement program. Keep up the good work!
Use Ecency daily to boost your growth on platform!
Support Ecency
Vote for new Proposal
Delegate HP and earn more
Congratulations, your post has been added to Pinmapple! ππ₯³π
Did you know you have your own profile map?
And every post has their own map too!
Want to have your post on the map too?
Haven't watch the video yet, but already finished reading. I'd like to hear a little bit more detail about the bribe, but again this is a blockchain and everything get recorded including how it happened with whom and where. So, I guess I will ask you face to face whenever we have a chance to sit down for a
beerVege juice.435cc, comfortably host 6 guests, tuktuk is too small to host all of you in. And the engine capacity is too small for a motor home. It's 3am here and I can't put my brains together just like you. I'm gonna call it off and come back for the video tomorrow morning when I'm on my way to work.
Cheers and welcome home, once again!
No worries, although the Cambodian government does monitor Facebook, I feel pretty safe on Hive discussing certain things. It wasn't a "bribe" of the most serious kind, but I did pay a woman $50 to send me scans of her business license and tax registration number. With these documents, an invitation letter and employment contract from the same woman, I was able to land myself the business visa before going to Cambodia. We have the new ride already, but of course I'm behind on posting because we're still downgrading our guesthouse day-by-day. We've now hit $10 a day, which without leaving the capital and also not having to kick rats and smash roaches, I think we've hit our comfortable bottom. Funny thing is, living like this is still cheaper than our apartment in Suriname, hard to believe.
Well, basically I am waiting for a license plate for the tuk-tuk, my one-year visa, and a few other things before we hit the open roads and diesel it to Pramoey. π
Your content has been voted as a part of Encouragement program. Keep up the good work!
Use Ecency daily to boost your growth on platform!
Support Ecency
Vote for new Proposal
Delegate HP and earn more
I knew this post would be coming soon. So happy to see you all together. I know that it must feel like a dream to finally be able to be with your family again. I can see the happiness on your face, even with a mask there. Impossible to hide true joy. Happy for you man. I hope that this becomes long-lasting and you all never have to separate for an extended period again.
I am glad to be back and also share that info with you all. My wife and I often joke about how our Hive friends actually care about us more than most of our in-person friends. We always worry about letting our Hive friends know where we are and that we're okay, etc. For now the future looks pretty stable as far as me staying in Cambodian with the family. Everything else is a question mark, and we will be hitting the road like the Clampetts in our overloaded ride, luggage piled higher than our heads.
I feel you on that. A lot of people here know more about me than most of the people part of my irl doings.
have fun with justin's family, may you always have fun, and send my greetings to @sreypov's mother and also to her daughter.
Thank you my friend, I will. We are now catching up on comments this morning. Hivin' is still not easy yet because we won't have a home for at least another few weeks. Until we get settled we'll keep posting here and there and keep the community on life support. Once we're settled, we'll turn the rocket boosters back on, I have a really great community contest idea.....
well my friend, you always be careful. If you need help, let us know immediately, we are both protecting our community of love.
Wow what an ordeal you and your family went through @justinparke. We are happy you are all back in Cambodia together. I must say I have been looking forward to the time when this post would become a reality since I joined Hive a year ago.
Over the moon for you and your family.
It has been a long time coming, and it does feel good I must say. Thanks and bless up, I can't wait to get settled and resume normal Hive-tivities.
Bless up π. All the best for 2022 and beyond.
Yes! Finally! Beautiful! Congrats!!!
So exciting to read about the end of this long ordeal. But as they say, the last one on the boat (or plane) is still on the boat (or plane). Now I'm really looking forward reading some happy and exciting updates on your family moving out of the urban red-light district, and into the rural region you posted about. And as for the "surprise", hehehe, I'm not going to ruin it by saying a word, but hope to see your family on it, heading towards a bright future. π
Signed, sealed, delivered, we are the owners of 435cc of diesel fury, now awaiting the license plate. We're on the outskirts of Phnom Penh now in Ta Khmau, a suburb if you can call it that. For now we are just stocking up on things from the capital that will be difficult to obtain in the wild west. Priority number one at the moment is some kind of portable power bank with sockets and an inverter. We could Hive off-grid with such a thing.
Wow dude, NOW things are really getting exciting. Off-grid family exploration and micro businessing in Cambodia's Wild West, and then Hiving about it. If I wasn't following you, I really would now!
So happy for your all!
This must be one of my very favorite "amateur" videos ever, as I know those involved and the story behind it.
Try to get some rest, whenever you can. You ( all ) deserve it.
Big hug!
P.S. The following made me smile (and I see what your'e 'hinting' at ):
Finally rested, but still not caught up with Hive stuff. We have our new wheels, already done some modifications. The question is do we have too much luggage to do this all in one trip?
Yepey! At long last you are all together! β€οΈ It is a long journey and more money that was spent before you are all together in Cambodia. The most important now is you arrived in Cambodia safe and sound. Your family are reunited again in a place you can call a home. β€οΈπ Congratulations and best wishes to the new life journey of your family in Cambodia. ππ
By the way, I am just awake upon reading your post. I haven't watch the video yet coz it keeps on loading. I have slow internet connections here.
Have a great day ahead with you family! π₯°
I feel like we won some major war or something, but when I stop and think about it, we were only fighting for the right to "be," something no family or person in the world should have to even ask for. It's behind us now, so it's eyes on the future. Thanks for the uplifting comment.
All the best for the future to your family in Cambodia. ππ
That's very good news. I'm so happy for you guys. π€
We are so incredibly thankful to be back and have a chance to rebuild our life.
Welcome to Cambodia, that is the time to regain all your dreams from there. You can build your family with on your own. Hope from Cambodia you can start something new for your life and your family.
The process is already beginning, but we do have a long way to go before we have a somewhat stable day-to-day life again. I am all too excited to go through this struggle though, especially considering the troubles we left behind in Suriname.
Welcome home to your family bro, this is a joy to see! I was confident you would be successful with this, but wow you made it happen fast!
Congratulations on your success with this, and thanks for keeping us updated with everything!
I win at life it seems. Keeping fellow Hivers updated is more of a priority than most family members, I must admit. You're all awesome, and the collective positivity has been an incredible force.
What a wonderful news! I was just thinking I've not seen any post of yours nor the girls from the recent days- I thought it was just me being away here for most of the time too. Anyway, I'm glad you guys are finally reunited in Cambodia. That short video touched my heart. Monkey-B's tight hugggss!!! Aww, is this dust in my eyes?
We've wanted to keep Hivin' daily lately, but it's just been near impossible with all the errands we are doing each day. Srey-Yuu finally got a post out the other day, so I've been trying to encourage her to keep this momentum going. Monkey-B's hugs are my cryptonite, and unfortunately she knows this. I didn't think I was gonna get choked up, but I was simply overwhelmed in the moment.
I can only imagine the ordeal that you have gone through throughout your journey. I just want to say Welcome home !! πππͺπͺ
After al you have gone through, I bet this not even affect you a bit ππ
The green tractor is the first thing that I look at in the background π π Now I'm intrigue
Have a good rest. I'm looking forward to see your posting ππ
I think you understand my mentality these days very well. Even though I would never want to relive the Suriname experience, it has given us an even greater appreciation for the little things in life, even though we were some humble folks before that mess.
Happy reuniting with your beloved family @justinparke, how hard the trials you and your family are going through. We all at #ASEANHiveCommunity are very happy to know that you are all back in Cambodia together.
Hopefully this Covid 19 pandemic will pass soon and also hopefully after this you and your beloved family in Cambodia can start a new life that is safe and full of warmth.
Welcome to Cambodia and have a good rest π
It is only now starting to not feel like a dream, I am just so happy to be back. Things are still a bit complicated here because of COVID bureaucracy, but it feels conquerable unlike Suriname.
Welcome home sir. Home sweet home . So good to be back and happy for you too . Cant wait for more update from Cambodia . Take your time for recovery . Welcome home sir .
Thank you my friend, it does feel good, still savoring every moment. Signs of our former life are starting to return, can't wait to settle down and watch a sunset with a hot drink.
Sunet with coconut and sugarcane sir . Cant wait to see you back in asean hive too sir
Three years is a very long ordeal Im so glad you get over it and now you got the chance to claim back all those years you missed with your loved ones. Lookong forward to more updates from you.
We have pledged to make three years of double-fun for the time we lost in Suriname. Luckily some of these adventures have already begun.
Welcome back B! I am so excited to see you again β€οΈ
I can't believe I finally made it.
Glad to see you all back together on the other side of the world. It was a joy watching that video, though shaky, very touching! Happy for you rasta! The day has finally arrived! And now, the journey of blessings begins!
The hotter the battle the sweeter the victory, the expression definitely holds weight in this situation. More than three-wheeled transport, good food, and time with family, I can't think of a better way to spend time on spaceship Earth. The new life has begun, give thanks brother.
I'm glad you are home safe at last.
Most of the requirements around Covid are just theatre so governments can claim they are 'doing something' about the pandemic. None of these rules have prevented the latest variant from whizzing around the world - all they've done is create expense and inconvenience for individuals and business.
I'm in Britain and Parliament is at last starting to question whether the restrictions are needed now that everyone is vaccinated. Took them long enough to start using their brains!
I wasn't happy to get vaxxed of course, but it hasn't really opened any doors or made anything easier as far as day-to-day life goes, so I am asking myself the same questions too.
A long struggle to be with your family, I can imagine how complicated the bureaucracy is, it must be very tiring, this pandemic is really a serious problem in every country,especially in addition to the people who are looking for profit behind the problem.
We've lost so many thousands of dollars and time together as a family in a healthy environment just because it pleases the paper tiger. I am sure when this all over we'll see that the real damage is the even larger gap between the rich and the poor.
Wonderful news, man! This makes the phrase "Happy New Year" truly stand out, hahaha. The highest blessings of Abundance, Light, Vision, Wisdom, Willpower, Love, Creation and Joy for you and your family in this new phase of your lives!
2022 is hopefully going to be happy year of rebuilding and enjoying life. Even the other day just driving the highway in our tuk-tuk, I was laughing and giggling just happy to experience wind and and movement. The Khmers around us didn't look so happy, so I guess it shows that we now have a strange lust for life than not many around us can understand. I am enjoying the stupidest of things, but the ability to buy affordable things in a competitive economy is definitely a change from Suriname.
Fascinating! I fully understand what you mean, it must be so strange for the people you meet to see you so exultant. Your experience in Suriname surely gave you a lot of insight and perspective, didn't it? I'm really glad you're so expansive, brother. Great blessings to you!
That reunion video choked me up so bad. I am so excited for all of you. It's a story that must be told to the world. Most movies I watch aren't as good as the true story of your struggles which were absolutely unjust. You guys are heroes. You all deserved to have your lives be redeemed fully with extra bonuses.
I wish you a smooth ride from now on. Much love from Canada.
I didn't plan on shedding any tears, but those Monkey-B hugs just get me every time. Everybody at the airport was watching our dramatic reunion, but I had tunnel vision. I am glad to have documented this bliss, I've watched it far too many times. Give thanks, hugs from us to you.
Oh my, what an ordeal you had!!! But first, CONGRATULATIONS! Glad you are together again with your family... How nice and exciting to be back again in the country. Oh, do not worry about your community curation updates, we understand your situation right now. So you just have to relax and enjoy the company of your family. In a couple of days, youΒ΄ll be ok! Best wishes!
Thank you for the good wishes as well as patience and understanding. January is definitely going to have some more hiccups along the way, but we'll get through it. I can't wait to get settled and have a proper desk and chair to Hive from for the first time ever. With good posture, I feel there will be new horizons.
Great to hear that your happy and back home. I have read this post a couple of times before making a comment just sure I get everything correct. Wow.. it must be pretty hectic at the airport in South Korea.. This pandemic is wrecking everyone's life. Good to know that your back and happy with your three ladies. It has been a really tough three years.. No more water scarcity and gas propane problems.
USD 700 is a real pain. I guess, this is the way most governments earn a bit of extra pocket money by overcharging things like these. I wanted to head to Brunei but the first requirement at the moment by the Brunei government is about 1.2K USD before entering the country.
So much robbery along the COVID highway, but much of it is unavoidable. The rich global travelers and vacationers are unaffected by these fees and inconveniences, but poor migrants and emigrants can be easily bankrupted and broken in the blink of an eye. The world has gone mad, and apparently stupid along the way too.
It is always great to read your comment.. I love to read well written and well thought of sentences that is mindful and yet complicated at the same time. I've also learnt many new words from you. Like immaculate. I find joy reading you work. I usually read books by American authors .
I think the world has really gone mad. Or sometimes I have thought that am I the one who is mad and the world is actually normal. Legally robbing the poor by the rich with no consequences. Have a great day. I hope that your having a good time back in Cambodia.
This is fantastic news to hear! Maybe not the best situation at the moment, but it looks like you've got a plan. Good luck! And please keep us posted. We're all rooting for you.
Still not sleeping easy yet, but it's nice to see life finally moving in an upward trajectory.
It's really fun to watch your video. I'm glad you got back to your family safely. The kidsisters seem to be very happy to have you back.
The hugs only get weaker after moments like this. Every now and then I have to ask for an "airport reunification kind of hug," and sometimes I get one if I'm lucky.
The video was perfect π I'm truly happy for you all, you deserve to be together and thriving! Enjoy πππ
Thank you, I am a collector of smiles and moments lately, so glad to see these ladies again and share a claustrophobic space together.
I also saw this picture in your wife's post @sreypov
I was touched to see him, when they met his father again.
I hope that everyone is in good health always there sis.
We knew we would want to document this day. It has been a major feat to get back here and together again.
yes,Being with family is the happiest thing..
This morning when I was driving to the office, radio was talking travel tips and SOP, it reminds me I haven't watch this video clip. So I had my phone start blasting whilst waiting at the traffic light. The moment after you sanitize your hand and give a big hug to the girls, I couldn't help it but to bust tear. Manly tear bursting out like a broken water tap.
Suddenly noticed the next car chick was staring at me one kind, I had to find my empty glue bottle and pretend I'm putting eyedrop! Once again, congratulations to you and the family. We know this is not the most perfect situation, but it's better than anything else before during the past 3 years!
Well, I was trying to remain manly at the airport, but I failed, got a little choked up. I thought the journey back was going to painfree after getting the visa and the COVID test, but I was in for many surprises. Either way I've made it back and there's already a backlog of content to share with you all. Thanks for the good wishes my man, and also thanks for the delegation update. I noticed it, but I'm slowly catching up to present day in ASEAN Hive. Time flies when you're having fun I guess.
Oh gosh, I'm sure I'd have had a melt down! How you staved off a panic attack I don't know!!
I had to giggle at the thought of hitting rats with brooms to get into your apartment. Just so relieved you made it back to your girls.
I miss all the awkwardness, grossness, kindness, and all the -nesses that can be found in Cambodia. It still feels like the place we left, but Phnom Penh is out of control, full of endless skyscrapers and cranes. When we left there was only three tall buildings the tallest could be used a navigation tool. Now I don't even understand the skyline, so we'll be glad to get out to the countryside and simple living.
I am so happy hearing that your reunited already with your girls. It's call for a celebration.
It's been a long time coming, and I still can't get enough hugs. They're absolutely annoyed with me at this point, but I don't think they realize the adventures to come in the near future.
Just let them be annoyed. Keep hugging them always. Sooner or later they will find your hugs every seconds.
β€ π π β£ I love β€ π
@justinparke I've been busy myself and somehow missed this, way to make me cry. My heart is full. I'm so glad you are back together after all you've been through. Life Begins. Bless up x