07.20.08
Posted in Belgium, General, Personal at 03:55 by Jeff
I don’t know what else to say. Let’s face it, most people who read this blog are here to read Staci’s words, not my random ramblings. At least that’s how I see it.
Anyways, we’ve (I’ve) moved out of the apartment in Amstelveen and am temporarily located in Belgium at Jon & CJ’s. I’ve got a room to myself, and only have to baby-sit Marcus for a couple days next week or the wk after. (I forget which.) It shouldn’t be too big of a deal, except I’ve never had to change diapers or feed the kid. Other than that, smooth sailing is expected. (Just kidding. I’m sure the pooping of diapers will send me into a panic. Good thing they’ve already hired their babysitter to cover during the day while I ‘work’, Jon is at work and CJ is in Singapore for work. Good thing they understand that ‘working from home’ isn’t (usually) a euphenism for ‘watching TV while co-worker’s 4500 miles away are productive.’
I move into the new place in the heart of Amsterdam August 3rd. Those of you that want the address (and that I haven’t emailed it to yet) can email us for it at your leisure. (This means that I may have forgotten people and emailing me reminds me that 1. people read this blog, and 2. I’m getting old and forgetting people.)
That should do it for now. If you’re thinking of us, we thank you, because we’re thinking of you. Hell, even if you’re not thinking of us, we’re still thinking about (and missing) all our friends back home, and are grateful for the love and support are friends and family have sent our way.
Ok, time for another late-night beer. I’ll get all the sleep I need when Staci comes back I get old the Rebels defeat the Empire CJ makes me take care of Marcus.
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07.14.08
Posted in General at 19:48 by Staci
That means “hello” or so I think 
haha. We’ve learned only about 4 phrases: “aw kohn” – “thank you”, “sak sobai” – “How are you?” (which also can be used to answer the same question,) “Sua s’dei” and “sohm” – “thank you”. Not terribly impressive, I know.
So what sort of things can I tell you about Cambodia?
Smells – The fragrances of Cambodia are diverse. Some beautiful from fragrant flowers that you catch when there is a nice breeze. Then there are smells that just make you stop in your tracks and your stomach turn. The aroma emanating from food stands ranges from sweet to nauseating (though it’s possible it is some fishy/meaty smell that just offends my non-animal consuming senses).
Motobike or die – Actually if you ride a “moto” as they are commonly called, you may in fact die. No ONE and I mean NO ONE, adheres to traffic laws here. You just take your chances and go for it. Everyone seems to own a moto and in the evenings it appears everyone decides to hit the roads on them. It is a sight to see how many people or items (from vegetables, plastic jugs to live squawking ducks) one can shove onto a single moto. Little babies standing up on them between their parents may be the vision that sticks most in my mind, though I don’t believe I shall ever get the sight of those ducks hanging by their feet and screeching out of my mind (I believe they were saying “HELP ME!”).
Pollution – First, the air is dirty. Your skin has dark layers on it at the end of the day. See above for culprit (because there are no visible factories causing this). Second is the waste on the streets. Trash just gets dumped on the sidewalks. And rots. I suppose one small benefit is all the stray cats and dogs may find something to eat, but how sustainable that may be is another question. I did finally see a trash collection service the other day. But I don’t think they collect too often.
Extremes – As the Lonely Planet guide mentioned, there are serious extremes when it comes to poverty and the wealthy. What is perhaps even just as startling is when they are meters from each other. On one corner you see what one can only at first glance think is a building that has been bombed or is in the process of being demolished, only to look closer and realize people are actually living there. This is their home. And somehow the ferns and other plants growing from crevices of this building take on a sort of charm. Especially when offset by colorful articles of clothing drying from ropes in the gaping holes where there should be walls. Then you turn the corner and see villas that are just startling. They make some McMansions in the US look tiny. And of course they have guards outside and one or two Lexus SUVs in the driveway (because if you aren’t on a moto you are in some big ass SUV, or maybe a truck).
Awe at Foreigners – It is truly something to be in a place where YOU are the main attraction. People just stare at you. Little kids look up in awe…we even heard a story that some of the younger ones who have never seen white people, think we are ghosts. I have to say some days I am over the stares, but I try to be friendly and when EVERY moto driver asks if you want a ride I kindly smile and say, “No thank you, we are walking.”
Hot as hell – That is really the only way I can describe the temperature. I sweat. A lot. Ianthe, my fellow researcher, loves the heat and doesn’t sweat. This has made our sleeping situation somewhat interesting. I want AC, she could sleep with both the AC and fan turned off. As I sit on the balcony and write now, I am dripping sweat and my shirt is becoming wet from the pools of sweat running down my body.
That is Cambodia – This is a phrase the expatriates in the office where we work use. It is basically used to explain all the “unexplainable” things of Cambodia. Like why it takes weeks for something to happen that should have taken days, etc. We’ve found ourselves using this phrase a few times. Though I think I blame the expatriates for assuming it should be different.
Monks – For some reason, I am so intrigued with all the monks in their yellow, orange and rust colored robes walking the streets, catching a ride on a moto, carrying colorful umbrellas. I would take a million pictures of them if I didn’t feel like I was intruding. Some are quite friendly, as one started up some small talk with me at the Silver Pagoda the other day. They range from very serious to rather jovial. I can’t get enough of them.
Delays – Well there is certainly no reason why we should be surprised about delays at this point. I mean our trip was originally scheduled to go to China, in April. Two months later we end up in Cambodia, after more delays. And now that we are here, guess what?? More delays. Delays in getting budget approved so we can go into the field. Delays in finalizing fieldwork, because we must bring our field team back to Phnom Penh to vote in elections on the 27th. We lose three days because students also need to travel to remote provinces to vote. Delays, delays, delays. There is NO WAY I am going to have my thesis completed at the end of August. I try not to think about this because my gut swells in knots of stress at the thought of the paperwork and such I will need to deal with when I return to Amsterdam. But for now, I am in Cambodia and trying to enjoy it…and make the most of the delays I guess.
Anywho, my overall impression of Cambodia is a good one. I’m enjoying this experience. Particularly because I think I may never have chose to come here on my own…there were other “destinations” on my must see list. But, I think I would have missed out. There is much history here. And a reminder how very differently we all live.
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07.13.08
Posted in Cambodia, Travel at 19:07 by Staci
After many delays, we finally made it to Cambodia. Here is a quick summary of our attempt to leave Holland for Bangkok and then Phnom Penh. The original (if I can even use that term any more) departure date of Thursday fell through which I think we learned only half way through that day. Finally we receive an email saying we’ll leave Friday night at 8pm, but are given no airline information. So Friday comes and it’s almost 5pm when we need to head to the airport and we still have no information. Ahhh!!! I called my professor and then the consultant. Finally we receive an email that we don’t in fact have a flight for that day, but rather will go Saturday. He will send info soon! Aaahhh!!!! Eventually, we learn via a phone call that our flight is at 2.45 the next day.
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