jeff, when we're online here we automatically sign on to skype so if you see us on, give us a call. gardinerminicomputer or something like that. todd says it's under his name he thinks. internet connectivity has been sucky lately but look for us online xoxo sis
skype? Any chance you can hop on Skype while over there? Look me up tonight if you can... if not, try mrjohara (school account) tomorrow.
Hope all is well.
sending our love hi lisa and todd ,
I didn't know I could write to you.your mom and keith were here tonight and told me I could.we thoroughly enjoy your blog, lisa, and pictures . I've been thinking about you a whole lot .what an experience you two are having !may the rest of your trip be most enjoyable .I showed claire who is in auburn (her mom had surgery )the little tuc tuc you were riding
,in cambodia ,she thought it was cool.your mom sent your blog to brian ,the history buff that he is ,he will appreciate that.
take care,
we love you,xxxooo
macette and papa
Well, we have no fish stomach soup nor pink eggs, but we got sunshine, 3' of new snow, elk hanging out, superb x-c skiing right out the back door. Guess we're out to play today now that this incredible storm has quit hammering for a while. 5' drifts around the house. I wish that we had some of those bamboo worms to spiff up the chili... Chuck
Quelle bonne idée ce blog ! je voyage avec vous, et j'aime la façon dont vous racontez vos aventures même si certaines phrases m'échappent...
Les photos sont très belles, les pierres sculptées magnifiquement les paysages surement très zen ! Avez-vous des contacts avec les gens qui habitent autour de Angkor? le passé historique négatif encore très pesant je suppose. Prenez du bon temps !
to the cool class your questions are good ones and I'm not sure I'll be able answer them without grabbing a Khmer person with great english and sitting them down for an hour. if I have time tomorrow I'll ask our driver. My view of Cambodia is pretty myopic thus far as we have been in one spot for four days and are leaving tomorrow. The town, Siem Reap, is a happening little place thriving on the tourism that the temples bring. Let's start by saying that as a whole, Cambodia is a desperately poor country. And I rate poverty in terms of infant mortality, access to health care, education and nutrition (not material possession). One in five Cambodian children dies before the age of five. Dengue fever, malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition, all are a problem. I don't know much about health care as a whole but here in Siem Reap there are two hospitals that are large; one is run by a Swiss doctor and all children are seen for free. I believe there is a sliding scale depending on your ability to pay for adults. I don't know what kids your age do for fun here. there is a hacky sack type game I've seen a lot of kids playing but it's not a hacky sack - it's some sort of weighted plastic thing that they kick around. And there are volleyball nets everywhere! Even out in the pastures that the water buffalo are running around in. But for the most part, if the kids aren't in school they are helping their parents either with the chores associated with living in a rural setting or have a job like driving a tuk tuk or working in a restaurant. These people live a very hand-to-mouth existence (there is no margin for able bodies to not be working in a family). Clothes are mostly western though you will see some of the elder Khmer wearing colorful headscarves. Flip flops are the footwear of choice. Music, not sure. There is a traditional Cambodian dance called Aspara dancing. Tell your teacher to look it up. Industry - the main industry is tourism right now and I'm sure down towards the capital there are a bunch of factories. Cambodia desperately needs industry. they have survived three recent (1950s-present) wars but just barely. They are rebuiding from unimaginable hardship. Colleges - noooo idea but good question. I'll get the answer tomorrow. Ready for bed tonight after a hard day of temple-hopping. Thanks for the questions.
Looks like a great time there Thanks for being there and having such a great time, not to mention the wonderful job your doing blogging about it all. Good to hear that you're also moved by the struggles that the natives have endured. Just don't forget that our tax dollars were used by the CIA to fund the Khmer Rouge, so really our elders are the "assholes", in directly, that you speak of. Keep smiling and snapping photos.
We are amazed "I love you. You are the best! I think you are getting me really cool presents, but what I like most are all the pictures because they are so beautiful." Rain, rain go away...we can't wait to show Addy the monkey baby :)
Dear Bong,
One of the best things about your blogs is the way that you are so obviously taking it all in, being interested in the place and its history (and its beer of course!). Thanks for sharing with us via your words and your pix.
Chuck
last class Finally got to the class that considers themselves the coolest... except for Sean.
Anyways, on to more questions:
Can you explain what health care looks like over there (hospitals, sickness, diseases, etc.)
What do kids do for fun?
Can you describe a typical Cambodian outfit?
How do they get their drinking water?
Is music part of their lives? If so, what instruments?
Any industry over there?
Do you know if there are any colleges for the kids in Cambodia?
Thanks sis.
response to your questions hello Mr. O'Hara's class of question askers. here goes: wildlife - allegedly there's a tiger somewhere in the country. haven't seen it yet. but today we did get to see monkeys...i'll post a picture on the blog at some point today. Saw three elephants too that people were riding. Anyone know the differences between an Asian and an African elephant? there are chickens, cows and water buffalo running around everywhere in the countryside. all of them look hungry. starving actually. dogs and cats are utterly neglected here. when people struggle to feed their children, pets are pretty far down the priority list. as for eating a tarantula it would depend on who was betting me I wouldn't do it. Todd wants me to not poop my pants during this trip so I'm guessing he wouldn't be instigating that activity. I hear they're quite tasty.
I'm able to post these blogs from an Acer notebook laptop and the beauty of high speed wifi internet in my guesthouse here. yes, even in Cambodia there is wifi...the world is an amazing place. for those not traveling with laptops there are internet cafes where you can use a computer for only a little bit of money - maybe $1 per hour? something like that. the TV here shows American channels as well as very colorful Cambodian programming.
we have seen tourists from Canada, France, Japan, Germany, China and the United States. I can't possibly list all of the nationalities because as we walk along all of the different languages blend together into a cacophony of noise. Where we are staying is very near some of the most spectacular ruins in the world and because of this people are drawn from all over to come see them.
I wouldn't say that most Cambodians speak English but those that want to work around tourists learn it so that they can make money. It's really impressive that so many learn passable english because it has to be a horrible language to learn later in life. Today we coached our tour guide through the difference between bow and bow. You know, bowing to someone vs. tying a bow. But they sure look the same don't they?
We didn't go into the floating school. It was tempting but since it's not a tourist place we'd hate to be disruptive. Imagine if a whole group of Japanese tourists came marching through your classroom door with cameras snapping. It would be hard to get anything done.
OK you kids, get back to work. Stay in school. Don't do drugs. And travel some day, no matter what. I'll probably be wide awake at 3am again posting pictures from today's adventures but for now I'm tired. Have a great day!
more questions Ok, here with another one of my classes with more questions for you (6th graders... they're not even close to being as smart as 7th graders- they're dum):
Wildlife? Any big animals? Weird animals?
Strangest food you've eaten? Are you going to try a fried trantula?
How are you able to post these blogs? What's technology like over there?
Where are most of the tourist from? Europe? America? Antarctica?
Do the majority of Cambodians speak English? What's their native language?
Do you go inside the floating school?
You made it!! Maisy and I looked quickly at your blog pictures this afternoon! We have a ton of snow and more on the way. All is well even though some of us are getting stuck. Love your blog!!! Have a great time! mari
class questions Sis- Sitting here with my class and we've just taken a look at your blog. They've enjoyed the pictures of the beer and said you swore. They're definitely most interested in the pictures and the cultural differences. Anything you can show that would be considered "weird" in the great US of A, would make them giggly.
So, some questions they are wondering is what the currency of Cambodia is. What is the equivalent for one US$. How much does your hotel room cost? Why do you like beer so much? Do you have a swearing problem?
What are your plans tomorrow so we can ask more higher order thinking questions.
Well, looks like your grading system results in a nice bell-shaped distribution curve, as it should.
I love the view from your seat--I bet you got it pretty well memorized within just a few hours of the flight.
Overall I grade your first report an A, but provisional of course, depending on what else comes along. I'm optimistic. Holy moly, what an exciting time for you guys!
Chuck
Living the dream in SW Colorado, in the heart of some of the world's prettiest mountains and canyon country. We chip away at world travel as life allows and will soon be dragging our two kids with us so that they too can have the perspective that travel brings.
'We are none of us good enough for the sweet Earth we have and yet we dream of heaven...' Ed Abbey
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michael
non-member comment
Great post!!
If you like animal tours, rent "The Cove" when you return state side.