Scene With A Hart - Latest Comments

Re: My Seven Deadly Travel Sins

Andrea Sherrodd — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:53:44 -0000

Love it! Very clever :) I am definitely guilty of gluttony when traveling--there are so many delicious foods to try!

Re: My Seven Deadly Travel Sins

Tauri — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:47:45 -0000

Absolutely fantastic writing - and a joy to read this clever and interesting little offering! Loved it! Fidel you have a real talent for this sort of thing and your images are charming. Like the way you have added black and white images too - they change the whole tone of the article. You could definitely be doing this as a living, and how is the other project, the gentlmen's clothing etc thing coming along? I don't always get the time to peruse your pages at leisure (what is that??) but you seem like the catch of the century for some nice young lady!! Love a man in a suit, so classy - and my idea of sexy? - when they have loosened their tie just a little! I guess I remember this from childhood - men coming home after a long day at work...even better than suits - uniforms! My parents were both military folk so I grew up loving the crispness of a well presented uniform..anyway - I digress! Just wandering down memory lane there! Keep up the great writing and I will try to get by more often - and yes, that moment when you see the Eiffel Tower for the first time is true magic, I remember it well!

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

Alexandra Baackes — Sun, 13 May 2012 09:40:35 -0000

Hi Fidel, not sure if you were reading my blog yet when I wrote my post about Khmer street kids. I too was horrified by the situation but also by the enabling behavior of tourists- I know their hearts are in the right place but talk to even one NGO or read even one brochure and you will see it shouted from the rooftops- don't give the street kids money!

I read the paper most mornings for the three weeks I was in Cambodia and I shook with rage when I read of foreigners being arrested for child sex crimes. That must be the lowest humanity can get... to travel to another country simply to exploit its most vulnerable and down-trodden citizens.

Re: Why I Share My Story

Andrea Sherrodd — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:07:04 -0000

I have to be to my school by 8:30, but we don't start class until nine. Honestly...my job is the easiest thing ever. Korea's not my favorite country I've ever been to, but it's fine for now--just saving money for our big trip! :)

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

Audrey Bergner — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:20:03 -0000

Wow. This is heartbreaking to read. I feel like some of these kids hardly stand a chance at all...

Re: Sakura Philosophy Along the Philosopher’s Path

Estrella — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:44:11 -0000

What gorgeous photos! I walked along the same path in May 2011, too late to catch the blossoms. My goal is to return one day during cherry blossom season.

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

Fidel — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:39:53 -0000

It is a hard place to experience, yet, still you should go. Perhaps you can volunteer for a day or two at a children's home and that way you'd be helping bring smiles.

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

Fidel — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:38:37 -0000

James, I think traveling has been my best education. The exploitation I see in SE Asia seems to run rampant without any hope. Could these pots just be boiling or are the people really content with their lives?
Thank you!

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

Fidel — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:36:52 -0000

That is quite a compliment, Abby. Thank you! Are you hiring? lol

Re: Why I Share My Story

Fidel — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:32:12 -0000

Thank you Andrea! What time do you usually start teaching? How do you like teaching in Korea?

Re: Why I Share My Story

Fidel — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:31:26 -0000

Well thank you for your continued visits and support KAPSpecial. I appreciate it and this type of comment is what motivates me to write more.

Re: Why I Share My Story

Fidel — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:30:39 -0000

Thank you very much Tiffany! Stay beautiful and thirsty my friend :-)

Re: Why I Share My Story

Fidel — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:28:02 -0000

Thank you Lizzie! Your husband is a very good shipmate and friend to have.

Re: Why I Share My Story

Lizzie Michelle Abney — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:14:37 -0000

I think you have a great blog and I am glad you are friends with my husband or else I would never have known about it. Also, great photos! You are truly talented!

Liz Abney

Re: Kyoto Travel Guide (In Pictures)

Kieu - GQ trippin — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:27:24 -0000

Thanks for this! We're heading to Kyoto tomorrow with your blog guide in hand. ;)

Re: Why I Share My Story

KAPSpecial — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:28:31 -0000

Confessions of a First Time Commenter on Follow Your Hart: I'll read a post (or two, or three since I visit about once a week), sigh because I'm reading at a desk, start thinking about how I need to travel more, start daydreaming about my future travels, realize I've just lost 30mins, shut browser and then return to my employer's business. But I do enjoy your blog and hope you will continue so I'll try to set aside a little of my daydreaming time for commenting. It likely will be something like "I'm jealous" or "sneak me in." But you asked for it, you got it, Toyota. ;)

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

SVV — Wed, 09 May 2012 08:54:52 -0000

It's quite difficult to be gentle when talking about issues like this particularly when it's not just a child, but a female child. That's animal bro, to care. Not just to care but to become violently proactive. Tell me you didn't contemplate homicide and I'd call you a customer.

The one key that I saw to really get at the heart of it is taking out the mafioso that rule the roost in that part of the world. Those are the people we need to be harsh with because they're exploiters of the weak.

Re: Why I Share My Story

Andrea Sherrodd — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:26:12 -0000

Glad to hear you like our blog too :) The only reason I'm so active on commenting is that I only teach until 2...but have to be at school until 4:30. Lot's of free time to read blogs! Your blog on the Cambodian street kids almost made me cry at work today--you are a really talented writer, keep up the good work!

Re: Why I Share My Story

Tiffany Nicole — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:41:39 -0000

Love it Fidel, Love you. Stay beautiful :)

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

Andrea Sherrodd — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:03:43 -0000

This is why I'm nervous about going to Cambodia. I want to go, but so many people tell me it's one of the hardest places to experience.

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

James — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:29:57 -0000

This is proof my friend, that sometimes traveling trumps any type of formal education you could accrue. A picture and words can illustrate these injustices to an extent, but seeing it first hand is a value changer-- something to make you think hard about why people complain about anything or feel the need to constantly upgrade all their stuff-- especially in the states.

It's sad when we see something that looks and smells like exploitation at its worst, yet the people being taken advantage of don't know any better.

Keep up the good material!

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

Abby — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:59:28 -0000

You are becoming a powerful writer, my friend.

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

Fidel — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:34:03 -0000

I like the poem. Thank you for sharing it. The thoughts I think while reading it are the same that made me write this post.
I was a little too harsh at the end, saying that the Cambodian people care more about travelers than their own citizens. That was not true. I did see a lot of businesses that hire former street children and help them get new lives. There are people who care and who recognize that a change needs to come.
No matter how tough I think I am or try to be, nothing will break me like seeing a child whose innocence was snatched away too soon.

Re: Day Trip To Hoi An, Vietnam

Fidel — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:37:14 -0000

I gotta go to Laos. I hear it is wonderful.
Have you thought about going to Borneo as part of your Malaysia trip?
I love traveling with no time restrictions. Maybe I'll be meeting up with you in one of those places.

Re: The Children That the Gods Forgot: Phnom Penh’s Street Children

SVV — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:36:40 -0000

I consider myself hardened and tough but Cambodia made me well up like a teenager. Damn right god forgot them. I'd venture to say he never even knew them. They're too brown, too remote and too guilt-inducing to handle for most westerners. I say let's call a witness.

I wrote this immediately after visiting there and feel the need to share because my insides just broke again. I call it:

Mister Mister

It doesn’t matter the reason, her eyes trembling with full wells of tears
It doesn’t matter the reason, her face torn with betrayal
It doesn’t matter the reason, her hands fumbling for answers in the air
Nothing matters now but the indelible imagery of a small child
Tossed into the throes of an adult
Learning lessons that burn
I taught her a lesson, unwillingly and
She watched the bus, sobbing