Cambodian history is extremely rich, and not like that of any other country. From grand to gruesome, from cultural birth to mass death, there is nothing average or commonplace about its past. The temples at Ankor Wat are testament to a culture as ancient and venerable as that of the Aztecs and the basis for much of what is now considered Thai. Toul Sleng, the Genocide Museum, illustrates far too graphically the modern history of the country.

Given the distance between poles of historical significance in Cambodia, presenting this diabolical, dramatic, yet delightfully eccentric country to my children is a challenge.

Cambodia is Sam's and Cj's birth country. Their genetic and biological roots were nourished in Cambodian soil. Who they are, who they will be, has the world to do with the Khmer within them. They may not speak the language nor breathe the air, but Cambodia is where they began and is as much a part of their stories as where they are now and where they end up.

Years from now, their children will feel the tug of their own Cambodian roots and want to know about that part of themselves, and that part of their parent. Giving Sam and Cj something tangible to pass along the generations, something Khmer in addition to the Seychellois, American and British bits, is part of our job.

With great geographical luck, we are in the neighborhood, so to speak, being only a seven hour flight from Singapore then a hop and a skip on to Phnom Penh. We plan to visit the country every couple of years. We noted such tremendous change between our trip in 2003 and our return in 2005 that we realize leaving more than two to three years between visits will have us missing far too much in the evolution of Cambodia. Plus, we love the place and can't wait to get back.

Our home library is full of books about Cambodia, both for adults and children, and Mark frequently prepares meals from our Khmer cookbooks. With rice as a staple of our diet ... although fried spiders have not been on any menu yet ... our kids do experience regularly something of what Cambodia smells and tastes like.

More thoughts on this to follow ...