tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17022379111141332582024-02-07T09:55:35.629-08:00Brookline Cambodia Study Tour 2012Since 2009, the Brookline community has raised money to fund the construction of a school in rural Preah Vihear province. This February marks the first Brookline Cambodia Study Tour. Our journey will take us from Phnom Penh to the opening ceremony at the Brookline Samlanh school in Preah Vihear and finally to Siem Reap. Along the way, we will explore the rich, complex, tragic and beautiful history and culture of Cambodia.Brookline Cambodia 2012http://www.blogger.com/profile/09010134307402838283noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-34227632919773358632012-03-03T02:44:00.000-08:002012-03-03T02:44:01.992-08:00Final Day in Siem ReapOur final day in Siem Reap was spent sleeping a bit later than usual, packing our bags trying to make all of our recent purchases fit into our over stuffed luggage, doing some last minute shopping and going to a cooking class at Le Tigre au Papier - a Khmer food training restaurant near the old market. For over three hours, our group prepared a variety of traditional Khmer dishes under the watchful and expert eye of our instructor. We made fresh and deep fried spring rolls, traditional Khmer curry, fried noodles and beef lok lak. Dessert was sweet sticky rice with mango - so much food and so delicious!! The best part is we have all the recipes and can't wait to cook when we return home!<br />
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After lunch we had the opportunity to visit the old market one more time for kampot pepper and palm sugar and we visited Artisan's d' Angkor, an NGO devoted to keeping traditional handicrafts alive in Cambodia.<br />
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We depart this evening for the long flight(s) back to Boston to our friends and family, to whom we give thanks for their love and support. <br />
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"One thing is clear, this young generation is dragging Cambodia kicking and screaming into the 21st century." This powerful quote came from Bill Morse, a volunteer at the landmine museum we visited yesterday and it truly captures the changes occurring in Cambodia right now. Cambodia is at a crossroads, change is happening fast. There is heartache and struggle, but hidden just behind the roughness there is also hope and possibility for a bright future. We can't wait to come back!<br />
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Kate B.Brookline Cambodia 2012http://www.blogger.com/profile/09010134307402838283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-28008234260751791622012-03-02T07:32:00.000-08:002012-03-17T18:16:28.237-07:00Days 9 and 10Day 9 started at 5:30 in the morning with a drive to Angkor Wat to see the sunrise above the majestic ruins of Cambodia's best known temple. Despite our early visit to the temple, it became evident that other tourists also had the same idea--hundreds of eager visitors with cameras in hand flooded the grounds in front on the temple as the sun slowly appeared over the horizon. The sun created a beautiful pink color in the sky and we stared at it for several minutes, in awe of the combined beauty of nature and one of the world's most impressive architectural wonders. <br />
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Afterwards, we walked up to the temple and were visited by a group of monkeys who seemed interested in our water bottles, and particularly fond of Kate--one of them climbed onto her leg to say hello! We decided to move on into the temple to escape the monkey hoards and to examine the beautifully adorned walls of the first floor. Our guide expertly shared the story of how the temple was built and its connection to various stories within the Buddhist and Hindu faiths. We toured the complex for two more hours and appreciated the sophisticated techniques employed by the temple's ancient artisans. <br />
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Following the temple visit, we enjoyed some free time back at our hotel--some of us went swimming in the pool while others took much needed naps. We took Tuk Tuks into the heart of Siem Reap and decided unanimously that it was time for us to have our first non-Cambodian meal. We walked by a Mexican restaurant and decided to give it a try--it was no Anna's Taqueria, but a good time was had by all. We finished the day by visiting Siem Reap's well-known Night Market, known for its bustling shops and "fish foot massages" (feet are put into a large fish tank containing hundreds of small fish who eat dead skin off of feet--we were intrigued but decided to pass up this opportunity). <br />
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Day 10 began with a bus ride to the “Jewel of Cambodia”, a temple known as Banteay Srei. Unlike Angkor Wat and the Bayon, Banteay Srei is quite small. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in its detail and exquisite beauty. We were quite impressed with the ornate frescos that covered several of the buildings. Next, we travelled further north to Kbal Spean, a beautiful mountain top site that contains several underwater statues (of Vishnu) and sculptures—known as lingas. After hiking up and down the mountain and taking a refreshing shower in the waterfall, we made a stop at a nearby landmine museum to learn about the lasting effects of Cambodia’s modern warfare—the experience was all at once saddening and informative. <br />
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We finished the evening with a truly global experience. After reading in the New York Times about a North Korean Restaurant in Siem Reap, we decided to pay it a visit. Restaurant Pyongyang has received some recent press for being one of the only places in the world where North and South Korean people can interact with one another in peace—it is fascinating, and a testament to the effects of globalization—that this is happening in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The restaurant is owned by the government of North Korea and is apparently a strategy for raising money for the ruling family. Rumor has it that staff members are carefully vetted by the North Korean government, and carefully observed by plain clothed “managers” as they interact with outsiders. When we entered the restaurant, we observed over 300 hundred South Korean tourists dining on traditional Korean delicacies, socializing with the North Korean waitresses, and watching a singing/dancing performance on the stage, which truly was indescribable—it involved several spinning dancers, an electric guitar and bass, and much singing. The waitresses seemed a bit nervous but posed with us for a photo at the end of the evening. This experience was both interesting and bizarre—upon reflection, many of us expressed hope that North Korea will become part of the world community soon. <br />
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<br />Dan Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10499875309699457901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-76431102905632061982012-03-02T05:27:00.000-08:002012-03-02T05:27:37.147-08:00Day 8 and 9 (Angkor Wat, Banteay Srey, Kabal Spean, Pyong Yang North Korean restaurant)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVA2wkkhnnrgLOroNr0CyRO5m6JMH0LCsVCZ734DWFc83IZeXgPaWNyPjBny_ugAovCOoOK42vruRFbSlOJHfvBSLBc0NOpSptE00Wp9v-pQNAyLa4aCQU1e2BG5d5_DGByA6bAd0iXQ/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVA2wkkhnnrgLOroNr0CyRO5m6JMH0LCsVCZ734DWFc83IZeXgPaWNyPjBny_ugAovCOoOK42vruRFbSlOJHfvBSLBc0NOpSptE00Wp9v-pQNAyLa4aCQU1e2BG5d5_DGByA6bAd0iXQ/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-8880703839204099852012-02-29T07:26:00.004-08:002012-03-03T02:48:58.337-08:00Day 8 Reflection<div id="yiv293648639" style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="yiv293648639Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We
began our second day in Siem Reap with an early morning departure for Ta
Phrom, one of the many temples that make up the extensive city of
Angkor. Beating the crowd, our amiable and informative guide, Borin,
gave us a private tour of the late 12th century ruins. Characteristic of
the country of Cambodia, Ta Phrom revealed the power of mother nature.
The massive winding roots of the soft wood trees kept the ancient
structures intact while threatening to destroy other parts of the
temple. While strolling through the complex, Borin explained the long
and turbulent history of the Khmer people.
Virtually all the sculptures and carvings of the Buddha were destroyed
when a Hindu king came to power. A closer look at the artwork proved
this claim.</span></div>
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<div class="yiv293648639yui_3_2_0_16_113608647008850" style="background-color: white; color: black;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv293648639yui_3_2_0_16_113608647008850" style="background-color: white; color: black;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="yiv293648639Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Once
we arrived at the Bayon, the tourists arrived in flocks. I felt as if I
was being watched by the four smiling faces of the towers of Bayon. As
well preserved as the temples were, it was still impossible to imagine
the city of Angkor in action in the hundreds of years ago. After touring the temple several adventurous members of our group mountain biked on the 10 foot tall wall of Angkor Thom and back through Siem Reap to our hotel. Amazing to see the ruins and the city from this view!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="yiv293648639Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv293648639yui_3_2_0_16_113608647008850" style="background-color: white; color: black;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="yiv293648639Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In
the afternoon, we were exposed to a totally new landscape--one of
towering stilts and water. We visited Kompong Phluk, a floating village
occupied by ethnic Vietnamese and Cham people. The livelihood of the
villagers depended on rice paddies in the dry season and fishing during
the monsoons. A murky brown canal brought us through the community and
into the vast Tonle Sap Lake. We walked through the village and arrived
at a primary school where Khmer and art were being taught in two
different classrooms. We were invited in to the art class where Hannah
taught the children how to fold a origami crane.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="yiv293648639Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv293648639yui_3_2_0_16_113608647008850" style="background-color: white; color: black;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="yiv293648639Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The
day ended with another delicious meal. The group met up with Raksmey, a
former intern at BHS, and her friend Dani. Both teach at a private
school called Jay Pritzer Academy.</span></div>
<div class="yiv293648639yui_3_2_0_16_113608647008850" style="background-color: white; color: black;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv293648639yui_3_2_0_16_113608647008850" style="background-color: white; color: black;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Until next time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv293648639yui_3_2_0_16_113608647008850" style="background-color: white; color: black;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yijin</span></div>
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</div>Yijin Yanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359541820086587966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-48403038381342196072012-02-29T06:22:00.000-08:002012-02-29T06:22:07.959-08:00Day 8 (Ta Phrom, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Kampong Phluk)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXcvMS2_VGTqa116wRN8ILZlemomwHIdRMiPfPwYNHWdsZ7BoJgKhXr7O9NeozPSi8AGcVX3mVb-cvGdZN5FXv84jSoIFsrLw7_OCexOWNo-Nwo4HkIN7W0eqyjLj1j4pr5LObt-M4wM/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXcvMS2_VGTqa116wRN8ILZlemomwHIdRMiPfPwYNHWdsZ7BoJgKhXr7O9NeozPSi8AGcVX3mVb-cvGdZN5FXv84jSoIFsrLw7_OCexOWNo-Nwo4HkIN7W0eqyjLj1j4pr5LObt-M4wM/s320/DSC_0053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-51356558597861700492012-02-28T07:44:00.001-08:002012-02-28T07:56:17.643-08:00Day 6 (Brookline Samlahn School)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-60028313256657014752012-02-28T07:40:00.002-08:002012-02-29T21:10:28.078-08:00Day 6 and 7 Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> After a hot, sweaty sleep at our villa in the town of Rovieng in Preah Vihear province, we woke up excited to drive in our Pajero vehicles to the Brookline Samlahn School. The drive to Samlahn Village, which was about an hour and a half long, started off smooth, then quickly turned into quite the adventure. We found a man in a village near Rovieng to navigate. He guided us through several different villages, each smaller and more remote than the next, connected by forested, sandy paths with deep pits and large smooth boulders. During the rainy season these were stream beds, but now they were roads-- and our only means of reaching the Samlahn School. During my sophomore year the building of this school on the other side of the world was only in idea in our heads, but now here we were, laughing together, our heads hitting the ceiling of the car as we bounced over the terrain that only about forty years ago was a Khmer Rouge stronghold.<br />
Through the heat and dust I finally made out the roof of what I knew must be the Brookline Samlahn School. When we arrived at the front drive way, we saw two lines of young children facing each other. We were greeted by the principal and other officials from the region, then led in between the two rows of children. What happened next left us speechless. It's difficult to explain what we felt at that moment, as sixty cute, young boys and girls clapped and smiled as we entered the school yard. All of us will agree, however, that it is something we will never ever forget. <br />
After an opening blessing from two monks of the Samlahn Village, we took seats behind a table set up at the front entrance of the school, facing a crowd of one hundred or so residents of Samlahn Village packed under a colorful tent. The school principal, the Deputy Chief of the Department of Education of Preah Vihear, the governor of the district of Sangkum Tmei, Mr. Green, and Ms. Boynton all gave speeches. The mic was then passed to me, then to Dan, Hannah, Sabine, Yijin, and Kate. At some point during the opening speeches, our guide, Chamruun, walked tot he outskirts of the school yard, picked up a "Danger!! Mines!!" sign, and propped it up on a tree stump. We learned from him later that the grounds directly in front of the school where the villagers were sitting under a tent, which was thick jungle until recently, needed to be thoroughly de-mined before it was safe. Chamruun placed this sign for all of us to see to remind us that the dense forest surrounding the school was still heavily mined. The mountains in the distance served as fortified hideouts for Khmer rouge soldiers when they retreated into the wilderness. <br />
To see the Brookline Samlahn School, meet some of the teachers and students, and see the results of our efforts was truly surreal and fascinating at the same time. The moment I left I wanted to return, and it is very special to be involved in this hopefully on going relationship between Brookline and Cambodia. Our visit was meant to not only see the school but to also plan out our next steps. I am thinking simply building a fence around the school grounds would make the Samlahn school feel more comfortable and safe. The forest surrounding the school is studded with destructive mines, and I believe the great the barrier there is between violence and education, the more hope there will be for restoring a solid foundation in Cambodian communities, both rural and urban.<br />
After a ceremonial ribbon cutting performed by us and local officials, we visited the Samlahn village, which was a short distance from the school. We walked around, and eventually found ourselves talking to a very kind, old woman, who spoke to us through Chamruun, who translated Khmer to English. She explained how she, as well as her ancestors, grew up and lived their entire lives in Samlahn village. Her bright, gracious, gold-toothed smile faded when she described the life during Khmer Rouge regime. "It was very difficult," she said. "There was no food. It was bad. It was bad."<br />
The next day, we visited a school for second to sixth graders across the street from our villa. We sang English songs with them and had basic conversations. Interacting with these children could have been one of the most heart-melting experiences I have ever had. We soon drove to Siem Reap. Around 3 in the afternoon, we went to the Pre Rup temple in the Angkor city complex to watch the sunset. The temple was constructed using volcanic rock, marble, and bricks. The volcanic rock came from the mountain 150 km away, carried by elephants and ox carts. It has a deep reddish hue, and the deep orange light from the sunset illuminated the stone and surrounding landscape. It was a perfect way to end the evening, and an even better way to begin the next stage of our adventures in Cambodia.<br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-79819842841649546322012-02-28T07:29:00.000-08:002012-02-28T07:34:11.488-08:00Day 5 ReflectionI woke up before my alarm set for 5:30 a.m. in hopes of attending one of the impromptu morning exercise classes on the waterfront. Unfortunately, the classes held on Sunday morning were all choreographed in matching outfits and far too advanced for us. Instead, we walked parallel to the Tomle Sap river, enjoying the morning breeze and rapid sunrise from across the water. It is hard to believe that the first portion of our trip has come to a close. Although I was reluctant to leave the bustling city of Phnom Penh, I was looking forward to our upcoming journey to visit the Samlanh School. Even after traveling thousands of miles, it is almost unfathomable for me to conceptualize that our indirect fund raising built a school. I can still remember selling candy bars to my classmates, saying it "just cost a dollar", and not realizing how much each dollar meant to the Samlanh Village. <br />
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We then met Chamruun, our Samlanh School correspondent, and started our drive to Rovieng, the village we would be staying in for the next two nights. Slowly the landscape shifted from vendors selling car engines and "Angry Birds" apparel to vendors selling lotus fruit, advertisements for skin bleaching to signs for the "Cambodia Peoples Party", and dust to lush greenery of rice patties. We stopped briefly in Skuon at a station selling fruit, vegetables, and... tarantulas! We were unable to eat the tarantulas, but Rohan, Daniel, and I had live ones placed on our shirts. Daniel and Rohan were brave enough to put them in their hair while I held my breath and stared down at the hairy spiders crawling up towards my exposed neck. After leaving Skuon (and managing to avoid hitting a runaway cow galloping on the road thanks to our skilled driver) the area became dry and even more remote. People riding on top of various vehicles peered into our car, surprised to see tourists so far from typical tourist attractions. Thankfully, they responded to our wave with a friendly smile. <br />
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Eventually we arrived at Phnom Snatuk, a Buddhist temple on top of a hill. We climbed up the colorful steps, pausing to catch our breath and take pictures of a nearby barrel of monkeys and the view of the land below us. More than 900 steps later, we reached the top: sweating, panting, and in awe. Mr. Green, Daniel, and Rohan (the <i>men</i>) were allowed to push down a sacred floating rock while Ms. Boynton, Kate, Yijin, Hannah, and I (the <i>women) </i>watched from the sidelines. Who wants to touch some floating rock anyway? After walking through colorful temples and exploring worn paths leading to massive 14th century Buddha carvings, we continued on our way.<br />
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Shortly afterward, We were greeted by Bud, a Vietnam Veteran and owner of the Santuk Silk Farm. He showed us how silk was made and even offered us silk worms to eat. Rohan and Daniel each tried one. I was tempted to try one as well until I saw the look on Rohan's face as he struggled to swallow one down. We enjoyed meal cooked by Bud's wife while he shared stories of his life, including growing up in Connecticut, attempting (unsuccessfully) to avoid the Vietnam War, and starting the silk farm. After purchasing some of the beautiful silk scarves made by the local Cambodians he employed, we began the last leg of our drive.<br />
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A few hours later we made it to our villa in Rovieng, which was built on stilts over 20ft high. We played card games while the villa's chef prepared our dinner. The evening was mellow in comparison to our time in Phnom Penh, allowing us to prepare for our day at the Samlanh School.Sabine Shaughnessyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00623759933460744687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-80659647766411433312012-02-28T06:10:00.000-08:002012-02-28T06:10:20.671-08:00Day 5 (Journey to Preah Vihear-- Skun, Santuk Silk Farm, Phnom Santuk)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ffnVoOWuvL4LZgrJNA5Aym6ryk3A2D1J1Cmlfcjm25SfFTagZK-fqaufag03oECKdUm1OHnxQZ1H3k-uU-9zmOQWyNnxJOuuz6GhBIFamH8K3ZkgyK7zQDkbuL_xmrlA_J3dhlexaiU/s1600/DSC_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ffnVoOWuvL4LZgrJNA5Aym6ryk3A2D1J1Cmlfcjm25SfFTagZK-fqaufag03oECKdUm1OHnxQZ1H3k-uU-9zmOQWyNnxJOuuz6GhBIFamH8K3ZkgyK7zQDkbuL_xmrlA_J3dhlexaiU/s320/DSC_0768.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-40917685216135710832012-02-25T16:49:00.000-08:002012-02-25T16:49:16.011-08:00Day 4 (Harpswell Foundation, Markets, Roller Blading)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m2yjUnuqiaDS-_yoE6jsPdMTBIiChEnUC2CxIJ0BrphtqNGgzDgqjCNaMlQwIsIm8RKioO_6lHXKr5G96_rjcIhhXuXHSg3YkWrbB01Q-r6b0VmMx5Kh-ltgbsJn6hPHjHicFuoXtd0/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m2yjUnuqiaDS-_yoE6jsPdMTBIiChEnUC2CxIJ0BrphtqNGgzDgqjCNaMlQwIsIm8RKioO_6lHXKr5G96_rjcIhhXuXHSg3YkWrbB01Q-r6b0VmMx5Kh-ltgbsJn6hPHjHicFuoXtd0/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-21398804829405128672012-02-25T06:32:00.000-08:002012-02-25T15:08:45.694-08:00Day 4 ReflectionToday was sadly our last day in Phnom Penh, but it was a great one! We started our morning early with a walk through the market right next to our hotel, something that has become somewhat of a routine. It never fails to truly wake us up and get us going for the rest of the day. Notable sights were the bins of squirming cat fish and rows of pig heads.<br />
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Our first stop of the day was a visit to the Harpswell Foundation Leadership Center for Women. Finding it proved to be a bit tricky since the directions we got told us to "turn at the house with the blue roof", and as you may expect, there are more than one of those in the city of Phnom Pehn. Founded by Alan Lightman, the Foundation brings girls from the rural provinces of Cambodia into Phnom Penh and offers them a place to stay, that way they can have the opportunity to study at a university (almost all of the dorms in Phnom Penh are solely for men). The dorm itself was beautiful--I think we agreed it was much nicer than any dorm we've seen in the states. There we were met by a woman named Sokeang, who had graduated from the Foundation herself a few years ago, and now works there. She showed us around to places such as the kitchen, where a group of students were preparing a meal, as well as the computer center and the library (they had Harry Potter written in Khmer!) Perhaps the most beautiful space was the Hall of Great Women, located on the top floor of the dorm overlooking the city. Sokeang and the Foundation were truly inspiring. Sokeang described the environment in the dorm as very supportive. She told us that each girl learns from each other, as this is the first time any of them have lived on their own. Visiting was truly a wonderful experience, and as I heard Kate say, I don't think any of us will taking having a dorm to live in at college for granted after visiting. <br />
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Our afternoon was quite different. We began by spending time in the Russian Market and got to practice our bargaining skills. It was very overwhelming at first, because there was just so much stuff! It was hard to know where to begin. I found that wandering the market and observing the eclectic mix of goods (paintings to school supplies to car parts) was most enjoyable from the experience. After comparing purchases, I think we came to a consensus that Kate and Yijin made the best ones; they got Hello Kitty and Angry Birds manicures, something I was personally very jealous of.<br />
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Our last stop of the day was to the Sorya Shopping Center, an intimidating shopping mall that could probably rival any of the ones in the U.S. While the mall was filled with the usual amenities of fashionable clothing stores and restaurants, the highlight had to be the roller blading rink located on the top floor. Sabine, Rohan, Dan, and I were brave enough to try it. I really mean brave. People were whizzing around so fast, often without really looking, and there were lots of jumps and bumps to fly off of. There were also few hand rails, something I definitely could have benefited from. Rohan, Sabine, and Dan attempted to go down one of the ramps and over a jump, but Dan was really the only successful one. Sabine and Rohan had their share of falls, something the onlooking Cambodians got a kick out of.<br />
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Overall, our time in Phnom Penh has been incredible. Tomorrow we will head off to Preah Vihear, the province where our school is located! While I'm sad to leave such an exciting city, I can't wait to explore such a different part of Cambodia. This will be the last blog entry for a few days since where we are going will have no internet access, but we'll be sure to catch up in Siem Reap. Talk to you in a few days!<br />
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-HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10593198882980363127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-60789215567848344172012-02-24T08:00:00.000-08:002012-02-24T16:06:01.777-08:00Day 3 Reflection<div>
"Everyone needs music in their lives" -Arn Chorn Pond<br />
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My day started bright and early to Bobby McFerrin's Dont Worry be Happy in Khmer. Rohan and I ambitiously set the radio alarm for five in the morning, in hopes of catching the sunrise over the Mekong. We set up camp on the roof of the hotel. However, little did we know that it would be nearly a hour before we would get any glimpse of the sun.<br />
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However, our day was far from slow. By seven we were speeding down the highway in our massive bus that could fit 30, en route to the E.C.C.C. Apparently, the travel agency assumed that due to the average Americans weight, we wouldn't be able to fit into a normal 10 person van. The E.C.C.C. is the joint international and national court set up in 2007 to try senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge and those most responsible for the crimes committed between the years 1975-1979. A converted military complex, the E.C.C.C. facilities were state of the art, with live video conference and instantaneous translation into English, French and Khmer. Unfortunately, the court was not meeting in session today, but we were able to see where the accused Khmer leaders were being held, and listen to a presentation by a co-prosecutor. By 10.30 we were back on the road to meet Arn Chorn Pond, founder of Cambodia Living Arts (CLA).</div>
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Cambodia Living Arts is an NGO committed to keeping alive the rich history of music and art in Cambodia. During the three and a half year reign of the Khmer Rouge, nearly 90 percent of all artisans were killed. After surviving the genocide as a patriotic flute player and forced child solider, Arn Chorn Pond was able to escape to the United States were he attended high school and college. Despite a fear of ever returning, Arn was able to return to Cambodia and start the CLA. "The art saved me,"explained Arn, "and now I save the art." Arn charismatically led us through a slew of classrooms interspersed throughout the Bassac Slum, one of the poorest sections of Phenom Penh. Arn explained that for many of the students, especially the young girls, CLA is the only thing between them and the hundreds of prostitution rings that surround the slum. "Its life and death for them," explained Arn. After trying our hand at a Cambodian Xylophone, and being serenaded by an archaic two string guitar, we headed back to the hotel for a quick rest before dinner.<br />
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Arn had kindly invited us over to his house for homemade dinner. On the bank of the Mekong, Arn's beautiful home lies on the outskirt of Phnom Penh. Due to the small dirt roads we were unable to take our gigantic mega bus, and were forced to take three tuk-tuks. We bounced and bumped our way down the crazy streets of Phnom Penh in our motorized cart. Once at Arn's house we helped pick fresh morniglory and other greens for dinner. We then visited a bustling food market in the nearby town, where we we able to practice our Khmer with curious street vendors. As Arn's artist friend cooked the meal of fish and vegetable soup, we took a dip with Arn in the Mekong river. Jumping off the eroded river bank we crashed into the thick mud and warm water below. Careful not to open our mouths, we dunked our heads into the murky water where you could hear what Arn described as the singing fish. <br />
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At last dinner was ready as we sat around in a circle watching the sun set. Arn told us his story. Full of energy and passion Arn explained his goals for Cambodia. If only more people visited Cambodia; not for the prostitution but the culture and the art. The U.S. dropped thousands of pounds of bombs on Cambodia during the seventies, but where is the U.S. now. Each one of those bombs could of paid the 400 dollars necessary to send a girl to college for a year in Cambodia. But you dont make change with money said Arn, "but with relationships". Only through more cultural exchanges between our two countries can we create the necessary relationships for overcoming the devestating effects of war. Arn a Cambodian-American, believes in a promising future for both his countries, one full of music, art and laughter.<br />
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-Daniel Kunin</div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975023523850439924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-68706785749709705652012-02-24T06:18:00.000-08:002012-02-24T06:18:29.864-08:00Day 3 (Tribunal, Cambodian Living Arts, Visit to Arn Chorn Pond outside Phnom Penh, Swim in Mekong, Dinner)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMqKCYzkPctgmsuPABY_LvW1f4V9uDoYkZEanqqOn5KJzhP8cM3y6S-vmllwSQnfzQBx5jQbK94vrf8IEYy9f30DfSQrH0fRgc-Kst9-sPuvJyupjcmd17J7aZfUmuvlweJgB84J3j78/s1600/DSC_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMqKCYzkPctgmsuPABY_LvW1f4V9uDoYkZEanqqOn5KJzhP8cM3y6S-vmllwSQnfzQBx5jQbK94vrf8IEYy9f30DfSQrH0fRgc-Kst9-sPuvJyupjcmd17J7aZfUmuvlweJgB84J3j78/s320/DSC_0410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-1938541307500215842012-02-23T06:58:00.001-08:002012-02-23T06:59:38.046-08:00Day 2 (Tuol Sleng, Killing Fields, Children of Bassac Performance)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ejWmueC21mnSFTAVVA2_wUwUqVxQzVmIhaT01TS8vY1RXyt1TDFdOOmJSV4wGTjyACAfTh8u0J02M8CCc8H04kRKdJOIi2ptIgn8-e-HV7vCXrpw9BGrqiEs6VgoYSt_DPhayvgXt2A/s1600/DSC_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ejWmueC21mnSFTAVVA2_wUwUqVxQzVmIhaT01TS8vY1RXyt1TDFdOOmJSV4wGTjyACAfTh8u0J02M8CCc8H04kRKdJOIi2ptIgn8-e-HV7vCXrpw9BGrqiEs6VgoYSt_DPhayvgXt2A/s320/DSC_0220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-82763324363515874372012-02-23T06:24:00.002-08:002012-02-23T07:00:38.811-08:00Day 1 (Market, Royal Palace, National Museum, Cyclo Tour, Sunset Cruise on Mekong)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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</div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-29788917525501961892012-02-23T01:42:00.003-08:002012-02-23T05:56:11.606-08:00Day 2While yesterday was frivolous and fun, today was serious and contemplative. Though yesterday's tours of Phnom Penh's temples and markets weren't an inaccurate representation of Cambodian culture, we spent today educating ourselves about the darker elements of Cambodia's past and present.<br /><br />In the morning, we visited the Cambodian office of the Somalay Mom Foundation, an organization that rescues victims from sex trafficking in Phnom Penh, educates and councils them, provides them with free healthcare, and generally prepares them for a healthy and independent life. We spoke with several women who survived and escaped the world of human trafficking, with assistance from the Somalay Mom Foundation.<br /><br />I could detail the stories we heard or the facts we've learned, but that wouldn't properly communicate the reality of our experience. As several of us said as we were thanking the young women, talking about sex trafficking in an analytical way deprives the listener of the reality of these stories. I think it's safe to say that we all felt the true impact of the human trafficking epidemic in Cambodia, thanks to the brave survivors who shared with us this morning. Somalay Mom is fighting an uphill battle, but it's truly a worthwhile one.<br /><br />Our next stop was Tuol Sleng, former school turned Khmer Rouge prison. One could walk directly into different cells, practically untouched since the fall of the Khmer Rouge. As Sabine and I discussed on the benches after our self tour, this was the most raw genocide museum we had ever experienced; when you were inside one of the cement-walled rooms, looking at the original torture devices, it felt as though the Khmer Rouge had fallen just yesterday. One can't the full magnitude of Pol Pot's regime without a visit to a site like this.<br /><br />The next visit followed that same theme. We drove to Choung Ek, Cambodia's most well-known killing field on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Again, we self-toured at our own pace. I began with the memorial in the center of the site, commemorating the approximate 9,000 people found dead at this killing field's mass grave. Then I followed the dirt path around the site, reading the signs that detailed the daily function of the field during the Khmer Rouge rule. One particularly shocking moment was passing by what's known as "The Killing Tree," at which Khmer soldiers killed the babies of prisoners. Again, the reality of Pol Pot's rule wasn't truly impressed upon me through the book we read or the packets we were given; seeing the location of some of the Khmer's atrocities hit it all home.<br /><br />Luckily, our night activity was a relaxed one, which allowed us some time to process. We watched a dance performance from a Cambodian Living Arts troupe, complete with live music and ornate costumes. It definitely reminded us of the beauty of traditional Cambodian life. Though Pol Pot and his regime forever tainted the history of the country with tragedy, and the sex trafficking epidemic continues to undermine Cambodia's beauty, CFA and its productions are a testiment to hope and beauty in Cambodia.<br /><br />Kate (H.)Kate Hiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07038801433449989794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-85685324980180006942012-02-22T07:29:00.000-08:002012-02-22T07:29:04.379-08:00Day 1!After a whole day of Phnom Penh site seeing, I don't know where to start. Let's just say, it has been absolutely amazing, mind-blowing, and eye-opening.<br />
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I woke up early in the morning to the sounds of the bustling city below--it took a moment for me to remember where I was. After a western style breakfast, our lovely chaperones took us on a impromptu tour of the nearby market. The Cambodians start their day early in the morning. At 7 a.m., the vendors were all set up and ready to go for the day. Our first true taste of Cambodia, the tour of the market was already too much to take in. Endless was the variety of foods being sold. One woman chopped the head of a catfish, while another seller was busy tending to their fruit.</div>
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After breakfast, we met our tour guide/ translator, Lika. Our first stop was the Royal Palace, the residence of the current king and revered figure King Sihamoni. The extensive compound was breathtaking and gave the visitor a tangible idea of the rich culture and wealth the land of Cambodia possesses. The architecture alone told the fascinating story of the nation. A mixture of Hindu, Buddhist, and French, the buildings of the compound reflected the history of colonization in Cambodia. Where one could really understand the wealth of the land of Cambodia was the Silver Pagoda. The tiles of the house of worship each weigh about 1 kilo of silver. The pure gold statues were adorned with gleaming diamonds of impressive size. I personally am not a religious person, but being inside the Silver Pagoda turned out to be an out of body experience.</div>
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The nine of us traveled to our next stop by our tour bus which could probably fit twenty people. The National Museum, besides being a wealth of knowledge of Cambodian ancient art, also houses the largest bat colony in a public building. I didn't end up spotting any because most reside above in ceiling in the attic. The museum with an impressive collection of Khmer art provided a glimpse into the rich history of the complex empire.</div>
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For lunch, we ate at a nearby restaurant called Friends which is partnered with an NGO working with Cambodian street children, their families and communities to create creative projects that will help successfully integrate them into society.</div>
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We traveled the next leg of Day 1 by CYCLO--a fascinating vehicle. Basically, it is a bicycle with a basket seat for one person in front. Our friendly cyclo drivers brought us to the post office to pick out postcards. Afterwards, we stopped at the central market where you could find virtually anything--street foods, clothes, jewelry, bath products, anything.</div>
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At Wat Phnom, the Buddhist temple built by Lady Penh, we had our fortunes told. Inside one of the rooms of the temple, we were instructed to wish for good luck and then to shake a can of sticks until a single stick fell out. The numbered sticks indicated the your luck. I got the number twelve which meant good luck! Sabine, on the hand, had pretty bad luck. The shook the can four times and could not manage to receive a good fortune. After the fourth time, the fortune teller instructed Sabine to wash her face with holy water to cleanse herself of bad luck. In the main room of the temple, another man handed what looked like giant lima bean halves to Sabine. She had to drop them so one was face up and the other face down. In her third attempt, she succeeded!<br />
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The Independence monument was next on our list. A massive lotus shaped stupa in the center of a bustling rotary, the monument was daunting and a bit overwhelming to glance at. We took pictures with our cyclo drivers who were eager to get in the shots.</div>
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We rode along the beautiful river front, cooled by the breeze, a nice break from the oppressive humid 90 degree weather. Our next destination was a visit to the bridge where 351 people died in a stampede during a popular Cambodian water festival. A newly built bridge eerily contrasted the nearby remains of the bridge where the incident occurred. This was just one of the many examples of the mixture of old and new in the city of Phnom Penh.<br />
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We ended our day of site seeing with a sunset cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong River. Boat houses and fisherman boats lined the banks of the river. Sitting with our feet dangling above the water at the bow of the boat, the magnificent sunset was a perfect ending to our day in Phnom Penh.</div>
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For dinner, we ate at Khmer Surin where Rohan ordered mackeral fish paste with fresh vegetables. The waiter warned Rohan of the pungency, but he not ready to back off. It ended up not being <b>too</b> bad.<br />
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That's all for now!<br />
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Yijin</div>Yijin Yanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359541820086587966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-19231962487274615342012-02-22T07:12:00.002-08:002012-02-22T07:15:07.609-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Rohan Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336384842459419595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-16056990876431482502012-02-16T18:13:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:13:56.625-08:00Student Research TopicsEach student participant has chosen a research focus he or she wants to explore further while in Cambodia and upon our return to the United States. The goal is to have each student explore in depth an issue they interested in and passionate about. Upon return, students will have the opportunity to share their learning with the Brookline Community.Brookline Cambodia 2012http://www.blogger.com/profile/09010134307402838283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-24261433070374023152012-02-13T13:43:00.000-08:002012-02-19T18:32:04.376-08:00Yijin's Research TopicFor my topic of research, I have chosen to focus on women in Cambodian society before and after the Cambodia Genocide. The plight of women in third world countries has always been a topic that I have been interested in. During this trip, I hope to explore in depth the workings of the Khmer social hierarchy and where women fit in the system. I am especially looking forward to learning more about the educational opportunities of Cambodian women, involvement in politics and the issue of sex trafficking.<br />
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While visiting the different historical genocide memorials and museums, I hope to investigate the status of women in Cambodian society under the rule of Pol Pot. Has the status of women improved at all in the past few decades?<br />
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I am especially excited to visit the Harpswell Foundation and to speak to the women who benefit from the organization. The dormitory and leadership center for college women in Phnom Pehn houses women who come from rural areas to attend university in the city. They have been selected on the basis of intelligence, ambition and leadership potential. I am interested to hear their visions for the future of women in Cambodia and the country itself.Yijin Yanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359541820086587966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-10015117282479154482012-02-02T04:21:00.000-08:002012-02-16T04:59:28.127-08:00Environmental Affects of Bombings in CambodiaFor my topic of research, I've chosen to focus on the environmental impact of the American bombings in Cambodia. It's something I've always been interested in: whenever we discussed bombings of country or another in my history classes throughout the years, I wondered how many habitats the bombings destroyed, how many animals they killed, and how long it would take for the particular area to rebound. And it's speculated that Cambodia is the most-bombed country in history, so the environmental impact is most likely staggering.<br /><br />Additionally, this question is particularly relevant to Cambodia, whose beautiful flora and fauna (in some ways, similar to that of Thailand) would be ripe for a flourishing tourism industry. This topic will certainly be a challenge: very little research as been done in this area, and it's unknown exactly how many bombs were dropped. The United States has little incentive to discover just how much destruction we caused there, and Cambodian-based NGOs have enough on their hands. But I'll do my best with the information there is, and I'm excited to tackle this topic.<br /><br />Kate (H.)Kate Hiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07038801433449989794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-62840155229164466412012-01-30T19:57:00.000-08:002012-01-30T19:59:48.622-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Genocide Trials</b></span><br />
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I would like to read more about the trials happening currently in Cambodia. How has it taken over 30 years for charges to be pressed against the Khmer Rouge regime? What actions have been taken to help the country of Cambodia reconcile with their past? Physiologically, how can persecutors and victims live side by side? How will these trials impact the collective mentality of Cambodia? <br />
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In my opinion, the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 is comparable to the Cambodian genocide in the fact that neighbors and friends were killing each other. How has a place like Rwanda responded to a similar form of genocide and could this approach be used in Cambodia? What does the process of reconciliation in Cambodia say about the cultural values there?<br />
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I think I will try to watch the film "Enemies of the People" before we leave and read some articles on the current trials. I hope we can see the trials first hand while in Phnom Penh.Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975023523850439924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-40592407259115233202012-01-30T15:23:00.000-08:002012-01-30T15:23:45.762-08:00Hannah's Topic of InterestI was inspired by the national geographic article that Rohan sent us on the de-mining effort taking place in Cambodia. As we've learned, Cambodia was heavily mined during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Many of these mines remain in Cambodia's soils, and continue to injure those who unknowingly step on them. I'm very interested in learning more about what groups such as Aki Ra's are doing to not only help remove mines, but also to support their victims.<br />
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<br />Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10593198882980363127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702237911114133258.post-39388539319945311582012-01-30T15:17:00.000-08:002012-02-19T18:03:52.316-08:00Angkor Temples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn95njANTuVHNyz8yOCKIZHpNU2CUt54Zic04FBjdqgpC0s6iGk-338rUQ5SuV32GTh7r2IlxNgV6XSrSNMMSrTnqF3jzJIU_0FFfqObnsNLzShuBK2zkl7I1hc7XS62nqRjhn2FNFP0/s1600/Angkor-Wat-lotus-pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn95njANTuVHNyz8yOCKIZHpNU2CUt54Zic04FBjdqgpC0s6iGk-338rUQ5SuV32GTh7r2IlxNgV6XSrSNMMSrTnqF3jzJIU_0FFfqObnsNLzShuBK2zkl7I1hc7XS62nqRjhn2FNFP0/s320/Angkor-Wat-lotus-pond.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">After much thought, I have decided to focus my research topic on the Angkor temples. I have always loved exploring archaeological findings, and can't wait to visit Angkor Wat at sunrise.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century and was dedicated to the Hindu God named Vishnu. King Jayavarman II moved to the Angkor and turned it into the administration center of the Khmer empire. It was the capital of Cambodia until 1431, when the Khmers moved the capital to Phnom Penh and left Angkor unoccupied. The Angkor ruins were forgotten until 1920 when a French researcher discovered them once again.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"> I am curious about the history of the ancient temples. What caused the downfall of the Khmer empire? </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What were the impacts of French colonization? H</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ow did the Cambodian Genocide impact Angkor temples? What measures are being taking to restore and preserve this important archaeological site?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Sabine</span></span>Sabine Shaughnessyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00623759933460744687noreply@blogger.com0