Parked in Bangkok
I do not even plan on leaving the airport hotel, as I plod through my ’round-the-world-ticket-mandated, 24-hour stay in Bangkok, between more substantial visits to Phnom Penh and Los Angeles. A more ambitious traveler would take a trip downtown, of course. But in my case, there is great value in putting away as much of the written reports I owe as possible prior to returning to life as a parent and housewife, where distractions prevent much concentrated professional activity. Good distractions, of course — I am counting the minutes (about 10,000) before I return to my beautiful, wonderful, beloved family.
In the meantime, here are some reflections on Cambodia. The statements come from Google — the commentary is mine:
Cambodia is known for its infamous regime under Pol Pot when 2 to 3 million people were killed from 1975 to 1979. The details of that period are beyond shocking, and more than a generation later, the fallout remains, mainly through the preponderance of urban and rural poverty and the extreme corruption and cynicism reflective of a society where trust was completely eliminated as a value. The continued impunity of politicians and bureaucrats does not bode well for the future: for example, 12 years after initiating a draft law on corruption, the jokers at the top are still working on it. Yet the opportunities to look outward are proliferating — I met lots of extremely capable people who received scholarships to study in the U.S., Japan, and France and returned to help re-build their country (in contrast to the Pol Pot era, when no-one was allowed in or out). As long as the younger generation is not thoroughly done in by its elders, there may be some hope.
Cambodia is known for its vast areas of ancient temple sites in the Siem Reap area. Perhaps I committed my own atrocity by not taking the trip up to see them. My colleagues were smitten; one had the mystical, early-morning experience of seeing Angkor Wat from the top of an elephant. This is a place to return to with the above-mentioned beautiful, wonderful, beloved family.
Cambodia is known for good silverware, textiles, wooden sculpture and stone carvings. I saw and admired all of them, but purchased almost nothing, because my suitcases are full and the Big E’s tolerance for no-function knick-knacks is low.
Cambodia is known for the sex trade. In a related story, Cambodia is known for its rate of HIV/AIDS, the highest in the region. Although there have been significant international and domestic efforts to cut down on prostitution and trafficking, their prevalence result, I believe, from both Cambodia’s poverty and the damage done to faith, trust and morality among its people.
Cambodia is known for its rich fishery resources, abundant waterways and ecotourism development. On the other hand, pollution of Cambodia’s rivers and lakes is quite evident and quite disgusting. Management of garbage and water is such a conspicuous problem all over the world, and it is clear that the international do-gooding community is far from getting its hands around what to do about that.
Cambodia is known for its war-torn history as well as its factor in international business. At this time, 90-95% of Cambodia’s exports are garments. Cambodia has withstood the end of the Multi-Fiber Agreement quite well (that is, the termination in January 2005 of the 40-year-old international quota system for garments, which effectively opened the floodgates for China), but the very recent growth in Cambodian outputs seems to be a result of having grabbed much of the business previously held by garment manufacturers in Central America and Africa, who are going down.
Cambodia is known for creating a civilization way before a country called Vietnam was ever born. This comment reveals the continuing animosity and contempt that flourishes among the various states in the region. The only people who the Cambodians like less than the Vietnamese are the Thais, and the only people they do seem to like are the Laos, who pose no threat.
Cambodia is known for the vast number of landmines that were littered throughout the country during almost 30 years of internal armed conflict. I saw all combinations of missing limbs in Phnom Penh — from one to all four. A network of unexploded ordinances (”UXOs”) continues to maim hundreds of people each year.
Cambodia is known for its good labour standards. Noted earlier. Keep an eye on those tags at the back of your neck.