Andy's Asia - Life in the Village

In the month of August, a fair number of my pictures from the past two trips will be on display at the Evergreen Public Library. This definitely gives me some hope that I may be able to market my photography at least to some extent. Recently I bought a new very high quality printer with the help of Sage and Doug Haughey, who are currently "on tour" with HP. This will help me to put together a varied portfolio. The next step is to look for additional venues for the pictures as well as perhaps the writing. Any ideas and/or referrals are welcome!! Expect more posts in the next few weeks as I am finally having some time to digest my trip and to look more closely at the pictures I took. As always questions, comments or suggestions to andym528@hotmail.com

On a different note: Cambodia has been ravaged by war for decades. First, during the Vietnam conflict in the 60’s and 70’s, then in more conflict with Vietnam and finally with the horrific Khmer Rouge mass killings Cambodia has had tremendous human casualties. Landmines have claimed thousands of lives and tainted thousands more. Although today many of the landmines have been found and removed, many more remain. The Cambodian Mine Action Centre ( http://www.cmac.org.kh/index.asp ) estimates that there are still millions of mines and unexploded bombs in Cambodia today. It is a regular occurrence to read of another undiscovered landmine maiming or killing an unsuspecting Cambodian. On the streets of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and indeed all over Cambodia one can see landmine casualties begging on the streets. In the vast Angkor complex outside of Siem Reap, there are several groups of landmine victims who play traditional Khmer music and sell their CDs and tapes to earn a living. This type of

Survivors of landmines play traditional Cambodian music in the Angkor complex. 

This landmine survivor is playing an instrument called a "takhe". 

Another landmine survivor playing the "tro sau" a two string bowed instrument. 

This survivor is playing a hammered instrument called a "khin tuch". 

This dude was playing a leaf and making some of the most amazing melodies imaginable. In front of him is the cassette this particular band had made and was selling of their music. Yes, I bought it!!! 

In the Angkor complex, I saw three different land mine survivor bands performing. All were, to my western ears, quite skillful. The man in the foreground is playing a "ching". 

Not exactly made in the shade. These landmine survivors play all day and many have learned to play their instruments since being injured by landmines. 

In this picture, you can see that these survivors are selling CDs, cassettes and booklets.

Another view of the same band. Here you see the sign identifying these 'victims'. I prefer to call them survivors. They are not allowing themselves to be victims. The gentleman in the foreground is playing a version of the "skor dai".