Village kids

Exploring a tiny nearby fishing village, we (Erin, Pam and I) were followed by the local kids like we were pied pipers. We were truly lost in the maze of dirt/sand trails (the streets of this shanty town), but thankfully the kids were very helpful in escorting us back to the beach so we could find our way home. As we went along we collected more, soon to number some 30 kids or so. They were all too eager to have their pictures taken and they particularly loved seeing themselves on our cameras' LCD screens, finding it HILARIOUS!

Floating in the background are the local fishing boats and baskets. This 5-6 foot diameter basket was what our friend Lynda escaped in when she was 7 years old. Her mother swam and pushed Lynda in the basket at night, waiting to be picked up by any passing merchant ship who would take them. On their 3rd attempt they were successful and eventually made it to Japan with the help of the Salvation Army. We have been amazed by similar stories of escape and survival, admiring the resilience of so many people we've met.