Andy's Asia - Life in the Village

This young lady was selling all kinds of things 

Girl in Kompong Phluk 

Pointing the way to Kompong Phluk

Another carny rider 

Preparing the vegetables for lunch 

River homes in Siem Reap 

Three young ladies 

My new best friend, No, who found me at nursery schoool 

Nursery school dudes 

Khouen and Andy at monastery 

The barang gets a huge smile after the flag ceremony 

Socializing after flag ceremony 

This is the flag ceremony in Siem Reap

24-May-05 Early morning stroll near Peace of Angkor Villa. Lately I've been waking up early. I guess that means I've adjusted to the clock as I always wake up early in the USA. Today, I left the villa at 6:30 to do some foot exploration. After a short walk I came upon a monastery and school. What a scene! Even at 6:30AM, things were really rocking! I arrived in time for the special flag raising ceremony. This particular school is a primary school, so I'd guess all the children are five or six up to maybe 12, much like primary school in the USA. Both boys and girls are allowed to attend and appear to be in mixed classes. All the students are in uniform. The girls are all clad in plain white blouses and navy blue skirts usually knee length or somewhat longer. This not being Upper Manhattan, Cherry Creek or Bloomfield Hills, there is some latitude allowed. Some girls have denim skirts, some are more traditional. The boys are in white shirts as well with the younger boys in sho

Carnival ride - Khmer style. The carnival ride wasn't operating yet, but this young Khmer boy couldn't wait! 

Kids playing in their washbasin boat at Kompong Phluk 

This a shot of Kompong Phluk 

This is the monster catfish that jumped in our boat on Tonle Sap 

23-May-05 As many of you know, I am back in Asia. The reason for my trip this time is research for my book. Tentatively titled, Landmine Melodies , it will tell the story of the survivors of landmine explosions. The survivors have found ways to earn money, my focus will be on those who play music. One of my last posts had some pictures of these people. The book will tell their story. I mentioned in my last post the group called Angkor Association for the Disabled. The founder and leader of that group is a gentleman named Sem Sovantha. His group sponsors the musicians. I've already met with Sovantha and he is enthusiastic and eager to help me in any way he can. Good news! I'll meet with him and he will in turn arrange for my interviews with the survivors and anyone else he thinks is of interest. In the meantime, I took a trip out onto the huge lake called Tonle Sap. While the the total number of square kilometers is quite large, the volume of water is very low. Most of the lake