We're back in the US of A, and have been for awhile. But there's still quite a bit we haven't shared from our trip, particularly our last 3.5 weeks in Europe. So we're working on that now, slowly but surely, and in chronological order. Believe it or not, we also have some posts left from Asia. But we're keeping things as organized as possible - so feel free to browse, and/or use our tags to help you find what you need. Whether you're planning a trip of your own, daydreaming of distant lands, or living vicariously through us - relax, enjoy, and happy reading!!

PS If you're looking for the details of our road trip across the US, you'll find them on our Tumblr.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Not too many words, from Cambodia...

I am so, so conflicted about visits to developing countries.  I don't have all my words organized yet, but I'm working on it.  I do know 2 things:


1. I don't need (or want) to be sheltered from the realities of every day lives that are so very different from my own.  


2. I write this from the comfort and relative safety of a 4 star hotel, with clean water and internet access.  I've been aided, assisted, and served by at least 10 people today. My grad student salary would probably pay all of them for a year, with money left to spare.


This morning, our guide told us that, despite being a popular tourist destination with fancy resort hotels everywhere, Siem Reap is still the second poorest province in Cambodia.  I guess the situation would be far worse in the absence of tourists, but only a very small percentage of the incoming money actually ends up in Siem Reap (most of it goes to the government, and the rest to "corruption").


And then, there's this:


Doubtful Sound, New Zealand (6 weeks ago)


Siem Reap (this morning)

What can you say to that?
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1 comment:

  1. Mr. & Mrs. JFebruary 23, 2012 at 6:19 AM

    Holly and KeeMin -
    Let us know when you get those words figured out. We'd be interested to hear them. After three visits to Siem Reap in the last 5 years, we're still working on ours - but for us, SR keeps pulling us back. We stayed at the Sala Bai Hotel School - where there are only 4 rooms and 100 kids from the surrounding province (whose families make less than $300USD a year) are given the opportunity to learn a trade in the hospitality industry (front desk, hospitality, kitchen or food service/restaurant). It is on a dusty side street, but it our most favorite hotel in the whole world - so refreshing to see what this French NGO has been able to do to provide not a hand-out but a non-corrupted hand up to 100 lucky teens. At the end of their year's study, 100% are able to find employment in tourist establishments in SR, thereby earning a living and being able to help their families. Think you would have loved staying there - but maybe next time?
    Keep on trekking and keep on blogging. We're so homesick this week.... but look forward to hearing about your European adventures.
    Mrs. J.

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