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15 NOVEMBER 2013 - SIEM REAP TO BAK PREA: 100KM

Starting Strong

Spirits were high this morning as Sam bounded out of the Heritage Suites Hotel and headed for the starting line at Angkor Wat.  One would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful and iconic place to begin an adventure than these graceful and mighty temples.  When Sam arrived at Angkor, he was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of Sala Bai students and supporters.  This cheering squad had a special long-distance addition, as we were joined by Sam’s mother, Carole McGoun, and her friends.  Donning specially crafted, limited-edition ‘Go Sammy Go’ T-shirts, the group of four traveled all the way from the United States to stand with us today and cheer Sam on.

Their presence today marked one of the significant emotional points of this year’s journey.  During the past year we were deeply saddened at the passing of Sam’s father, Sam McGoun Senior.  Both Carole and Sam senior were present at the finish line of last year’s race and this year Sam’s mother, bolstered by her friends, continued the McGoun tradition of giving Sam on–the-ground support. This committed and vocal entourage helped make for a powerful and emotional launch.

Sam officially started his run on the back roads of the Angkor Wat and was soon joined by Sala Bai students who began running and cycling alongside him.  The students’ athletic gear consisted mainly of their school uniforms and flip-flops, but this did not deter them from pounding the pavement in solidarity with Sam.  With sandals a-flopping, Sam and the students navigated out of the Angkor complex to the Sala Bai school where another round of supporters and high-fives powered Sam on.

A Teeming Temple

Sam continued his run out of Siem Reap taking time to break at a local temple, Wat Chok. Wat Chok hummed with men, women, children, dogs and monks all in a state of preparation for the upcoming Cambodian water festival of Bon Om Touk.  Two-dozen women sat crossed legged on the floor at the entrance of the temple surrounded by piles of bananas leaves, carnations and candles which they were deftly weaving into offerings. After a blessing given by the head monk, Sam continued on his run, clocking in 32km before lunch.

Out to Sea

While this would be enough activity for most, Sam still had the aquatic leg of his journey to complete before nightfall.

Diving into heaving waters of the Tonle Sap, Sam braved currents, floating villages, water traffic and refuse to get his swim in before darkness fell.

Tonight we sleep in the floating village of Bak Prea, and after 12 hours on the road, the gentle rocking of tonight’s’ accommodation in a floating house will undoubtedly bring sleep with great efficiency.

And we have only just begun...

Donate to support Sam, Sala Bai and the fight against human trafficking.

Watch 'A Step Between', a short documentary film that chronicles Sam's 2012 Cross-Cambodia Journey through the voice of one courageous human trafficking survivor.

And learn how Sala Bai empowers Cambodia's most impoverished young women to obtain employment in Siem Reap's growing hospitality industry in 'Khatna's Journey: A Sala Bai Story'.

- Meghan Shea