Sunday, March 13, 2011

Siem Reap

Another trip to a school. This one in a wealthier village. The road to the village passes by the bones of a huge estate -- the Prime Minister is building himself a mansion. Interestingly, Dick (a German we met at Tomoko's dinner party) said that although he is a dictator, he is good because he keeps the warring factions of generals in check. He gives them all the money they want in exchange for keeping a lid on their war-like tendencies.

Anyhow, many of the girls wore jammies. More rotting teeth, but better.

We attended a ceremony at the Small Art School and met some of the older artists. Very fine work.

Afterwards we had a Japanese meal made by Tomoko-san (the founder of the art school). Ai (a Japanese friend) and Yuko were there as well as a German/Japanese couple who live in Siem Reap.

They gave us travel tips for our trip to southern Cambodia.

This morning we go to the school to help the students practice their English pronunciation and then to the Soap Factory!

The flowers in the pick were taken from the window outside the hotel. Jack and the Beanstalk vines growing up the entirety of the building.

Watching updates on situation in Japan. Naoko tells me I may need to cancel trip, but will wait a few more days.





2 comments:

  1. Thoroughly enjoying the reports, Julie. Keep it up, please. I watched Anthony Bourdain in Cambodia last night and got a good video feel for the surroundings you are in. I doubt if going into Japan in the near future is a good idea, though. Safe travels!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Two questions: 1) What was the soap factory like; any surprises there? 2) How can the kids with rotting teeth even eat? Seems like it would be so very painful.

    Thanks for the great commentary/pix!!!

    ReplyDelete