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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06.15.08
Posted in General at 17:00 by Staci
Ah, so who thought doing field research for a masters thesis would be easy?!!? Well, it has been a lesson in patience and flexibility. As my previous posts foreshadowed, our trip to China was eventually canceled. More precisely, our supervisor pulled us from it when the project leads could not guarantee that we would in fact leave for China in late June. Two months of delays was our limit.
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06.01.08
Posted in General at 20:58 by Staci
Amsterdam has been doing its part to get me back in shape – I bike everywhere, but I was missing a really good sweat inducing workout. I mean there was a time when I ran a 5K no problem. Ran a number of them in fact. Even tossed in a 10K and a mini-triathlon at one point. Then I got lazy. Sedentary. I took to the couch. Therefore, when I decided to get moving again I turned to the “Couch to 5k!” program to make it happen. And I LOVE IT!!
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05.22.08
Posted in General at 16:05 by Staci
This is my new philosophy. Along with practicing patience. Lots of patience.
So as many of you know, I was supposed to be going to China for my research project. The first date of departure was April 19th, then it was moved to May 7th, then May 13th, June 1st (you getting the picture?). Well, once we were told June 1st we sent an email requesting confirmation that we could in fact travel to China at this time to kick off the project….and we waited and waited for someone to say something about our visas and the confirmed travel date. Well, yesterday we heard June 20th!! At this point my supervisor flipped and sent a curt email back to these project partners about how we need to complete our theses in a certain time period in order to graduate!!! Aaahhhhh… Technically our research project period is April-July. We have already being pushing into August with these delays.
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04.14.08
Posted in Amsterdam at 17:52 by Staci
My friend and former co-worker, Kristy, gave me a magnet when I left my job at the Ohio Environmental Council and prepared to embark on this journey across the ocean into the great unknown (ok, Amsterdam isn’t so unknown, but you get my point). This magnet now hangs on our refrigerator and serves as my daily reminder to take chances. It contains words to live by and inspiration that must be shared.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
-Unknown
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04.09.08
Posted in General at 21:58 by Staci
At the start of 2008, I made a couple of simple yet powerful resolutions. I shared these with my college girlfriends on our blog, but recently realized I never brought my “enlightenment” to the Jeff & Staci blog viewers. My deepest apologies for not spreading the positivity:-) That is what I am embracing: A Positivity Movement!!! So here ya go (wisdoms from Peace425ed):
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04.05.08
Posted in General at 23:13 by Staci
Thought I would give some props to our cute little niece, Kieran, and nephew, Marcus. They are fun to watch grow up. Marcus, Jon and Christine’s son, turned a year in January and REALLY enjoyed his birthday cake (see pictures). Kieran, my sister’s girl, is growing like crazy….or so I see over email, webcam and photos.
This picture was from when Kieran and Marcus met for the first time over Christmas. They actually squealed in delight and seemed to carry on in their own language as they giggled and touched each others hands. It was positively hilarious. The next day on Christmas they could have cared less about each other. How fickle! Anywho, here is a Gallery dedicated to them.
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04.02.08
Posted in General at 14:19 by Staci
So, today I took my last Master’s exam. The course was on International Context in Environmental Policy. Wanna know about the Rio Declaration? UNFCCC? A little about water treaties? Well, don’t ask me cause I am done! Woohoo!! Actually, this was possibly my favorite course yet!!! Alas, it has come to an end. As has my studies in Amsterdam.
Where has the time gone? I think back to first arriving, riding my bike to class, getting to know my classmates. Now I am overwhelmed with JOY I have no more exams ahead, but a deep sadness we now go our separate ways to Cameroon, Bolivia, China, Mozambique, Sweden, etc. I’ve have made good friends, and great memories, and only seem to be reminded life goes by quickly….so enjoy it!!
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03.21.08
Posted in Food, General at 22:08 by Staci
I realize most of you will be quite shocked to learn that we have actually started cooking here in Europe. Yep, the Queen and King of Take Out now use their kitchen for something other than clutter, take out cartons and cat food stations (but oh how I miss the kitties, sigh!).
We cook at home regularly, but our menu is not too diverse. We have 5 main meal nights:
Asian (yes, this could mean so many things as my sister the chef reminds me, but we do noodles/veggies/meat or tofu)
Taco night (which is really burrito night with my kick-ass guacamole)
Italian (umh, yeah you guessed it, pasta with red, butter, or pesto sauce/veggies/meat or soy)
American (mashed potatoes/corn/chicken or soy chicken)
Misc (couscous, veggies and soy for me, Jeff has meat and probably more meat)
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