The Radford University Study Abroad 2008 for Southeast Asia officially ended Sunday morning at 3 a.m. when I placed 11 students in cabs for the airport. Two students were flying to Phuket to end their stay here. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every student and I believe and hope they have learned a great deal about this amazing part of our planet.
I got up about 6 a.m. and took a trip to the Floating Market about an hour outside central Bangkok. It was really quite remarkable with all the canals and boats and shopping from your boat. Yes, it has become a bit overly commercial but it was still fun. Bought nothing but fried bananas, just enjoyed the scene.
I worry that a lot of these cultures in Southeast Asia are disappearing underneath a sea of tourists who are here for just a few days. The traffic in Bangkok is already terrible (I'm not kidding or overstating) and with the addition of all those tourists (like me) everywhere you go it gets overwhelming. I know that more traditional culture is to be found away from the big cities but there's so much Americana.
Well, I'll sign off for now and will post pictures upon my return. Over and out.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Last Day Bangkok
It's hard to give up Bangkok. It's so alive and vibrant. There's such a diverse culture and the politics are fascinating. Thai food is absolutely, hands down, the best. You could stay in Bangkok for two weeks alone and not scratch the surface.
The students leave at 6 a.m. in the morning, I follow Monday morning at the same time. It's hard to say goodbye after such an excellent learning experience, but we'll see each other again and I know that in some very good ways they are different people.
More reflections later.
The students leave at 6 a.m. in the morning, I follow Monday morning at the same time. It's hard to say goodbye after such an excellent learning experience, but we'll see each other again and I know that in some very good ways they are different people.
More reflections later.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
A Quick Word
We are in Bangkok and had a nice visit today at Young and Rubicam in Siam Towers. An interesting mix of pr, advertising, and marketing communication. This group has a strong client portfolio and I think the group was truly impressed by what they heard. Lots of talk about branding and "brand dna."
It was interesting to hear that the King of Thailand is the most credible brand in Thailand. I've been here three times, no big surprise. But can you imaging George Bush being the most credible person in the US?
A nice cheap lunch at MBK center near Siam Tower.
Tomorrow a visit to Bangkok University and my friend Peeraya to see their School of Communication and its facilities, faculty, and students.
Saturday is pure pleasure at the Tiger Temple near Burma. Sunday troops leave. People already getting sad about the departure. I'll miss them too. I leave Monday.
It was interesting to hear that the King of Thailand is the most credible brand in Thailand. I've been here three times, no big surprise. But can you imaging George Bush being the most credible person in the US?
A nice cheap lunch at MBK center near Siam Tower.
Tomorrow a visit to Bangkok University and my friend Peeraya to see their School of Communication and its facilities, faculty, and students.
Saturday is pure pleasure at the Tiger Temple near Burma. Sunday troops leave. People already getting sad about the departure. I'll miss them too. I leave Monday.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wet Market
Got up this morning and walked to the wet market a block away from Madam Cuc's 127 Hotel where we stayed. Love wet markets which is where people go to buy groceries for the day: fish, fruit, veggies, everything.
I really enjoy the smells and sounds of all of these goings on. One woman sells live fish which she summarily kills before she weighs for the customer. Another woman chases the eel that escaped her tub and slithers across the floor. Another person sells Durian, which I really really hate. In other places in the market people eat, talk, drink tea, etc.
Right this minute I'm in an internet place with some of the troops waiting to leave for the airport. Loud group, really loud.
I really enjoy the smells and sounds of all of these goings on. One woman sells live fish which she summarily kills before she weighs for the customer. Another woman chases the eel that escaped her tub and slithers across the floor. Another person sells Durian, which I really really hate. In other places in the market people eat, talk, drink tea, etc.
Right this minute I'm in an internet place with some of the troops waiting to leave for the airport. Loud group, really loud.
While I Am At It
Visited three things which put a new twist on US perceptions of Southeast Asia: War Remnants Museum, Renunification Palace, and Cu Chi (sp?) tunnels outside HCMC. I'll put pictures elsewhere but the thing that struck me was the difference in perceptions of what happened 1963-73.
Of course, you must understand that these places are run by the government of Vietnam which is socialist/capitalist . . . whatever. The message is clear. The US invaded where they shouldn't have, they were colonialist, we beat they, they left, it's over, let's move on. It's an interesting message which is, of course, full of silly propaganda and leaves the impression that hardly any Vietnamese were killed.
One museum portrays American atrocities and I have no doubt that some terrible things were done. What is not mentioned is all the atrocities committed by the Vietnamese against Americans and South Vietnamese as well as native peoples. In the end it becomes almost comic.
The thing is that the average Vietnamese person doesn't give a rip. They've moved on. They won, they're done. They like Americans, they seem glad we're here, they are quiet and polite.
Aside from the heat I really like Vietname and would like to spend more time here. It is hot here though and you wear out faster than you think.
Everyone here seems to have a cell phone and internet access is easy and cheap. Vietnames are a highly literate society (70%) and highly motivated to succeed. They want investment and things are growing here.
We met with TQPR who is, according to them, the first global pr agency in Vietnam. Their manager is Australian and they seem to be doing well with the right accounts. PR here is a new concept and one that would seem to contract a socialist perspective. I took them a while to get their license but that work well here within government restrictions. Yes, they arrest bloggers here too.
Media corruption is rampant. If you want a story placed there must be an envelope in the media kit. I am told that there are some fine Vietnamese journalism but some who aren't.
Off to Bangkok today, then home for students on Sunday, I leave Monday.
More later.
Catching Up
It's been a while since I've had the chance to sit down and write. This is why blogging is such hard work, requiring discipline.
We are in HCMC which I personally like better than Phnom Penh. It's cleaner here for one thing. It is, however, a city of 11 million people crammed with motor cycles of various sorts but not so many cards. I am told you can buy onw for about $400 USD and gas is twice as much as it was a year ago but the 125cc engines here sip rather than gulp.
You'll see entire families on them, going about their daily routine of shopping, work, and entertainment. There are parents with small children and people with older family members aboard. There is lots of horn honking and noise on the stree where so much of life is lived.
There's no room on the sidewalks because this is where people congregate, park their motorbikes, shop, eat, etc. It's a crowded, loud, vibrant mess.
I should write an entire blog on how to cross the street in Vietnam but won't . . . here goes. Approach the street and do not be intimidate by the fact that there are thousands of vehicles (motorcycles, buses, trucks, cards, bicycles, etc.) zooming in both directions and sometimes driving on both sides of the roads. Take no heed of the fact that they don't look at you or acknowledge your existence. Get over the fact that it appears they will run right over you without a thought. Take a deep breath and say a prayer. Are your earthly affairs in order? Step into traffice S-L-O-W-L-Y. Notice now that they really don't want to hit you and that they will move arround you. By moving slowly you give thim a chance to miss you, which they do. Keep moving and remain alert. Avoid buses, they don't slow down and honk a lot. Keep going and . . . you made it. This takes some practice and is not for someone who is hypertensive.
We are in HCMC which I personally like better than Phnom Penh. It's cleaner here for one thing. It is, however, a city of 11 million people crammed with motor cycles of various sorts but not so many cards. I am told you can buy onw for about $400 USD and gas is twice as much as it was a year ago but the 125cc engines here sip rather than gulp.
You'll see entire families on them, going about their daily routine of shopping, work, and entertainment. There are parents with small children and people with older family members aboard. There is lots of horn honking and noise on the stree where so much of life is lived.
There's no room on the sidewalks because this is where people congregate, park their motorbikes, shop, eat, etc. It's a crowded, loud, vibrant mess.
I should write an entire blog on how to cross the street in Vietnam but won't . . . here goes. Approach the street and do not be intimidate by the fact that there are thousands of vehicles (motorcycles, buses, trucks, cards, bicycles, etc.) zooming in both directions and sometimes driving on both sides of the roads. Take no heed of the fact that they don't look at you or acknowledge your existence. Get over the fact that it appears they will run right over you without a thought. Take a deep breath and say a prayer. Are your earthly affairs in order? Step into traffice S-L-O-W-L-Y. Notice now that they really don't want to hit you and that they will move arround you. By moving slowly you give thim a chance to miss you, which they do. Keep moving and remain alert. Avoid buses, they don't slow down and honk a lot. Keep going and . . . you made it. This takes some practice and is not for someone who is hypertensive.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Phnom Penh
Bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh was fine although I couldn't get comfortable. The highlight of our trip was a nice restaurant that quickly became a "no" because everyone there was eating rice and crickets. Students were further put off when the bus attendant stopped to buy grilled spider for everyone to try. Nope, I passed. You only eat the legs by the way.
A van was waiting for us at the bus station which was merciful. The bus station is unbelievable. Tuk tuk drivers literally try to grab your luggage, they certainly enjoyed trying to grab the girls. The girls handled themselves quite well.
Phnom Penh (PP) is an interesting study in contrasts and it's because of the Khmer Rouge. The city was evacuated in 1974 and was not repopulated until 1979. I thought I saw one building that was over three stories and it is under construction. The streets have that Asian smell which wears on me as much as I like it here. It's the smell of auto, tuk tuk, and bus fumes mixed with garbage, feces, urine, and spices from outdoor cooking.
The government can't seem to get anything done with water, sewage, and garbage control. So many people spend so much time on the streets and the stuff piles up.
You may wonder why I brought the students here. The answer is that they need to see how people in Southeast Asia in the 21st century and how a despot can destroy everything.
I really love the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. My experience here reminds me that those documents are some of the most profound ever written by the hand of man. Our freedom, our dignity, and our rights as humans are protected. Not so under Pol Pot who finally died in 1989.
I took the students to both the Killing Fields and S-21 memorials. There was a lot of chatter among the group until we got inside the Killing Fields to find Pagoda filled with skulls. It is estimated that 17,000 people were executed and buried at the Killing Fields. The property is littered with depressions that served as their mass graves. Signs indicate how many people were buried in them. Loud speakers and chemicals were used to cover the sound of peoply dying and the subsequent stench. There was no more talking.
S-21 is a former high school in downtown PP where Cambodians were interrogated and tortured. Some rooms have what was found in them, minus the bodies. Other rooms were filled with pictures of victims; men, women, and children. There were hundreds of manicles.
Half-way through S21 I had experienced about all I could handle. I felt strongly that the students needed to see this, me too. Yep, I'm a fan of the Constitution and Bill of rights. I may start humming that old Lee Greenwood song, "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free." Thank God.
Overall, I like PP and our place where we stay is excellent. This is a vibrant and alive place where the streets are crowded and people are trying to get on with their lives and find some success. I wish we could help them a bit more than we do.
Travelling here is tough and it wears on you. It's showing on the students. The heat, smell, different food, and moving around a lot takes it's toll. K. Decker and Neely Edwards had a rough day. But I think everyone has had times when it's been rough on them. I will say they've done a good job remaining happy and optimistic.
I think there are some changed people with me. Tonel Sap Lake really got to some of the students (Siem Reap area). The level of poverty unnerved them and they didn't like looking at it. I think they would all tell you that they've had a good time and learned much. I thought our girl Krissy Yapaolo expressed everyone's sentiments, they are glad the came, had a good learning experience, but it may be a while before they come back. However, I think Mike has gotten the bug and Declan has really really enjoyed himself. It's a lot to take in for everybody.
Next we travel by bus to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), then on to Bangkok, and then home a week from now. Everyone has remarked about how fast time goes.
A van was waiting for us at the bus station which was merciful. The bus station is unbelievable. Tuk tuk drivers literally try to grab your luggage, they certainly enjoyed trying to grab the girls. The girls handled themselves quite well.
Phnom Penh (PP) is an interesting study in contrasts and it's because of the Khmer Rouge. The city was evacuated in 1974 and was not repopulated until 1979. I thought I saw one building that was over three stories and it is under construction. The streets have that Asian smell which wears on me as much as I like it here. It's the smell of auto, tuk tuk, and bus fumes mixed with garbage, feces, urine, and spices from outdoor cooking.
The government can't seem to get anything done with water, sewage, and garbage control. So many people spend so much time on the streets and the stuff piles up.
You may wonder why I brought the students here. The answer is that they need to see how people in Southeast Asia in the 21st century and how a despot can destroy everything.
I really love the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. My experience here reminds me that those documents are some of the most profound ever written by the hand of man. Our freedom, our dignity, and our rights as humans are protected. Not so under Pol Pot who finally died in 1989.
I took the students to both the Killing Fields and S-21 memorials. There was a lot of chatter among the group until we got inside the Killing Fields to find Pagoda filled with skulls. It is estimated that 17,000 people were executed and buried at the Killing Fields. The property is littered with depressions that served as their mass graves. Signs indicate how many people were buried in them. Loud speakers and chemicals were used to cover the sound of peoply dying and the subsequent stench. There was no more talking.
S-21 is a former high school in downtown PP where Cambodians were interrogated and tortured. Some rooms have what was found in them, minus the bodies. Other rooms were filled with pictures of victims; men, women, and children. There were hundreds of manicles.
Half-way through S21 I had experienced about all I could handle. I felt strongly that the students needed to see this, me too. Yep, I'm a fan of the Constitution and Bill of rights. I may start humming that old Lee Greenwood song, "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free." Thank God.
Overall, I like PP and our place where we stay is excellent. This is a vibrant and alive place where the streets are crowded and people are trying to get on with their lives and find some success. I wish we could help them a bit more than we do.
Travelling here is tough and it wears on you. It's showing on the students. The heat, smell, different food, and moving around a lot takes it's toll. K. Decker and Neely Edwards had a rough day. But I think everyone has had times when it's been rough on them. I will say they've done a good job remaining happy and optimistic.
I think there are some changed people with me. Tonel Sap Lake really got to some of the students (Siem Reap area). The level of poverty unnerved them and they didn't like looking at it. I think they would all tell you that they've had a good time and learned much. I thought our girl Krissy Yapaolo expressed everyone's sentiments, they are glad the came, had a good learning experience, but it may be a while before they come back. However, I think Mike has gotten the bug and Declan has really really enjoyed himself. It's a lot to take in for everybody.
Next we travel by bus to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), then on to Bangkok, and then home a week from now. Everyone has remarked about how fast time goes.
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