I said it many times: Cambodia is far away from a free country. Free means not only freedom of speech, but also freedom of choice, freedom of education. The education in Cambodia is as poor as most of the population is, and the corrupt government is more interested to open new golf course than to do a substantial improvement in the school and university system.
One more proof is the story Nearirath, a close friend, told us in her blog. I would say she is the most talented law student in Cambodia, award winning young woman, and in most countries she would receive a lot of support. Not so in Cambodia, where teachers normally far behind the common knowledge, just focusing on that they always right and where techers never update their knowledge.
Yes, thats sounds general, and it is. Of course there are exceptions, but it will not bring the country forward to honor the few people. There must be a change in Cambodia.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Not every tourist destination is a Disneyland - some are real countries like Thailand
Even if the protests in Thailand are over now (thats what PAD announced), I am still surprised about some reaction.
In Germany the protests and even the occupation of the airport weren't in the news until some tourists were stuck in the airport.
Today CNN quotes an American: "We wish we hadn't come here at all," said Keri Gannam, a visitor from the United States, who was honeymooning in Thailand. "It's just stressful. It's taken away everything... I'm supposed to have job interviews. I missed them."@
This is just unbelievable. There are people in Thailand trying to fight for democracy (but of course is their understanding of), at least stand up against the corrupt government, and tourists are just complaining about missed flights. So we have to learn from this:
Dear North-Korean opposition (if there is any), if you are planning to make a revolution, please make sure that no tourists or cargo planes are affected.
Dear Islamic Indians, we don't hate you because you are terrorists. We just hate you for destroying our nice hotels and keeping us away from work and travel for 3 days.
Dear Chinese students, if you want to start demonstrations, please don't do it on the Great Wall (Tourists might be disturbed), not at the Tian'anmen (if so Tourisst are not able to make nice pictures) and not at any other popular places. (It worked during the Olympic Games, so what?)
Dear monks in Burma, you were so brave and good when you were walking through the streets. Thanks for not blocking anything - hmm, ok, the Swedagon Pagoda was closed by the government, so it's not your direct fault, but think about this next time.
Dear minors in Cambodia, when foreigners ask you for sex, please just shut your mouth, wait for a scholarship of a western NGO an be happy. Don't stand up for your rights (demonstrations in Angkor are a NoNo) and never, never, never tell anyone that the most people asking you for sex aren't from western countries.
In Germany the protests and even the occupation of the airport weren't in the news until some tourists were stuck in the airport.
Today CNN quotes an American: "We wish we hadn't come here at all," said Keri Gannam, a visitor from the United States, who was honeymooning in Thailand. "It's just stressful. It's taken away everything... I'm supposed to have job interviews. I missed them."@
This is just unbelievable. There are people in Thailand trying to fight for democracy (but of course is their understanding of), at least stand up against the corrupt government, and tourists are just complaining about missed flights. So we have to learn from this:
Dear North-Korean opposition (if there is any), if you are planning to make a revolution, please make sure that no tourists or cargo planes are affected.
Dear Islamic Indians, we don't hate you because you are terrorists. We just hate you for destroying our nice hotels and keeping us away from work and travel for 3 days.
Dear Chinese students, if you want to start demonstrations, please don't do it on the Great Wall (Tourists might be disturbed), not at the Tian'anmen (if so Tourisst are not able to make nice pictures) and not at any other popular places. (It worked during the Olympic Games, so what?)
Dear monks in Burma, you were so brave and good when you were walking through the streets. Thanks for not blocking anything - hmm, ok, the Swedagon Pagoda was closed by the government, so it's not your direct fault, but think about this next time.
Dear minors in Cambodia, when foreigners ask you for sex, please just shut your mouth, wait for a scholarship of a western NGO an be happy. Don't stand up for your rights (demonstrations in Angkor are a NoNo) and never, never, never tell anyone that the most people asking you for sex aren't from western countries.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Photoexhibition in Phnom Penh: Tensions in the performnce of music and dance
Just want to tell all the people I know in Cambodia that my photoexihibtion "Tensions in the performnce of music and dance" together with Jim Mizersky USA/Cambodia opens at Monday Dec 1st at Art Cafe Phnom Penh, 81 Street 108 at 7pm. The exhibition will last for December and January.
And yes, of course you can buy the pictures
And yes, of course you can buy the pictures
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Oxfam kicked us out of our apartment
I totally forgot to blog about that: shortly before we decided to leave Cambodia we got a rental contract termination notice from our landlord. We figured out that he will rent the whole building to a NGO. Thats means, the NGO payed more then the expats living there. And it was the Oxfam-Mekong-Something.
Imagine: They spend more money for the building then expats with good salaries. So, if you want to donate to oxfam, think before.
Imagine: They spend more money for the building then expats with good salaries. So, if you want to donate to oxfam, think before.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Plans for Cambodian carrier put on hold
The Phnom Penh Post - Plan for new national air carrier put on hold: official
Some people say, the Indonesian company is not longer interested. We will see, maybe it's about how much money they have to pay to the government for getting the contract. But in total it's typical for Cambodia: The government isn't even able to set up a national carrier. That's so sad.
PLANS for a new Cambodian national airline, announced in May, have been put on hold as a result of difficulties with ongoing negotiations with an Indonesian investment group, government officials say.
Deputy Prime Minister Sok An was tapped to spearhead the deal in partnership with the Rajawali Group, but discussions with the Indonesian investors have not yet been finalised, he told the Post last week.
Some people say, the Indonesian company is not longer interested. We will see, maybe it's about how much money they have to pay to the government for getting the contract. But in total it's typical for Cambodia: The government isn't even able to set up a national carrier. That's so sad.
Firetruck ends up in pond - school burned down
Story from Phnom Penh Post
Two Kumrou Primary School buildings burnt down in a fire after a firetruck sent to put out the blaze plummeted into a pond in Mongkul Borey district, Banteay Meanchey province Saturday. The police said 12 wooden black boards, 12 teachers' chairs and 144 students' chairs were lost in the inferno. The neighbours criticised the fire department for arriving late and driving recklessly. They added that the fire could have spread to the neighbouring buildings and to the fire truck itself.
Two Kumrou Primary School buildings burnt down in a fire after a firetruck sent to put out the blaze plummeted into a pond in Mongkul Borey district, Banteay Meanchey province Saturday. The police said 12 wooden black boards, 12 teachers' chairs and 144 students' chairs were lost in the inferno. The neighbours criticised the fire department for arriving late and driving recklessly. They added that the fire could have spread to the neighbouring buildings and to the fire truck itself.
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