Not Easy to Visit
Trip Start
Jul 10, 2007
1
10
46
Trip End
Mar 11, 2008
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Phnom Penh,
Cambodia
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Visiting Cambodia was the stage on which to set down my soap box and stand on it!
Cambodia; sadly, is still feeling the decimating effects of the Pol Pot regime and the Vietnamese invasion. Crossing the border reminded me of an old 60's war movie when spies tried to cross the East-West German border. Keeping an eye on the boys, the luggage and the passports were my constant concerns. We paid a healthy sum for the visas (and who pockets that cash?) and the men who so "gallantly offered" their help to take us through quickly...for a price. Another lesson was learned.
Cambodia is by far the poorest country I have ever visited. Being there for me was a continuous struggle between feelings of guilt, anger and disbelief. At first, I felt so guilty about having so much, even for owning what was in my back pack. Thinking that we could help, the boys and I tried to give what we could to the people on the streets. We would gather food to help feed the hungrier ones but it never ended. Once you gave, people from every corner would run toward you begging for more. Some would actually be offended by the food and asked instead for the money.
During meals, we would be continuously interrupted by young children holding a younger sibling on their hip pleading with their hands and repeat "yum, yum". We became so frustrated by the manipulation and the incessant and sometimes aggressive begging that saddly, at one point; we forgot the reason behind it.
We were also discouraged by the litter everywhere. Streets are reminiscent of 12th century Europe with medieval sanitation and ethics. When basic needs are not met, it is difficult for someone to understand how their beautiful country is being destroyed by pollution. People are hungry; 30% of the population only makes 0.50 cents or less a day. There is only a 35% rate of literacy. As tourists, we could not see much effective financial support at work. There is still no potable water.
We witnessed so many heartbreaking moments but the one that keeps coming to mind is when I saw a young mother asleep beside her baby on a dirty plastic tarp on the sidewalk for the afternoon nap. When my boys were at the age of this baby, nap-time was the time of day I cherished the most. After lunch, we would cuddle in the family room and without a single worry; the boys would fall asleep in my arms under their blanket on the warm and cozy couch.
Cambodia was hard to visit. I admire anyone who makes a difference in this country
Comments
Cambodia
Hey, I'm loving reading about your trip around the world! It's amazing and hopefully I get to do it in the future... I'm from Australia, and last January did some volunteer work in Cambodia. While it is very hard at first to get used to the poverty and pollution, once you spend an extended amount of time there you see the beauty of the country. We even started to love the organised chaos of the traffic. Getting to know those who are less fortunate than us, those in the villages, hospitals and those begging on the roadside is one of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself and you'd be amazed how grateful the people are for talking to them. If you get the chance I recommend that you visit Cambodia again. I did. And by the sounds of things you are a family that CARES and has their eyes open to the world, so go and live in a third world country for a month and truly experience life there. It's not hard for you to make a difference, and don't worry, I already admire all of you for taking this trip! Ary