Vietnam is prosperous, healthy & growing. Cambodia is hanging on by the skin of its teeth. Why are these 2 countries, right next to each other, so completely different. Here are some obvious answers: Cambodia was bombed by the US during the war as part of the expansion even though it was not really involved. It was devastated and then as a result of the horrible conditions created by the bombing it allowed a world class homicidal maniac like Pol Pot, which is not a real name but stands for political potential, to come to power and kill several million fellow Cambodians. To this day I do not think that the Cambodians themselves really know why Pol Pot was able to convince so many Cambodians to kill their fellow countrymen. The Pol Pot regime was ended, not by the UN or the US but by Vietnam. So Vietnam, having resisted the colonial aspirations of China, France & the USA, was able to see that what was going on in Cambodia was a threat to its own security and was able to put a stop to Pol Pot and the Cambodian genocide. The Vietnamese people know they are winners, they were able to resist and throw out 3 major world powers.
Cambodia is a small country that has 2 major assets, Angkor Wat in a town called Siem Reap and Lake Tonle Sap which is a very large lake full of fish. Ankgor Wat is an amazing collection of beautiful temples, built about a thousand years ago, originally Hindu but converted to Buddhism by King Jayavarmann VII (the big J), the first Buddhist King of Cambodia. Whereas the temples in Thailand are covered with colored pottery, glass & stones, Angkor Wat is covered in carvings and bas relief figures & designs with very little color.
I do not know if these 2 assets are enough to support the country. The major problem faced by Cambodia is corruption, at every level of society.
Another asset that Cambodia has is Dr. Beat Richner, who has built 2 world class children's hospitals in Cambodia. He is also a cellist who gives free concerts to raise donations to support these hospitals, which treat all children for free. If ever there was a guy who deserves a Nobel Prize in Medicine, Dr. Richner is it.
Eleanor's comments
Cambodia was very difficult for me. I have never experienced such utter poverty and despair. On the one hand, there are the exquisite temples of Angkor Wat, and the five star hotels nearby; on the other hand there are people who try every day to cope with rampant corruption at every level of their society (Even the teachers are on the take). No one is paid a living wage, so everyone rips off everyone else to eke out a living. Seeing tiny children under 5 years old working on the streets selling postcards for one American dollar is very hard to take. We went to Dr. Richner's cello concert and learned that 75% of the children tested positive for pediatric tuberculosis. Dr. Richner runs the only hospitals for children in Cambodia. They are supported by donations. The big funders do not want to provide him with funding because the care in his hospital is above the standard of living of the population. He translates this as the powers that be want him to provide substandard care to the children and he will not do it. His personnel are forbidden to take bribes and are dismissed if they do. Dr. Richner is one of the unsung heroes.
At the memorial, skulls from the killing fields are on display, as are the names of some of the victims. But the more telling thing is the lack of understanding displayed by our guide and anyone around the site. It happened--either they know and aren't saying or they don't have a clue about what really happened. We see the result but not what led up to it--we are supposed to accept that it occurred without further explanation.
Juxtapose this information against the luxury found in the five star hotels. Tourists from all over the world come to Cambodia to view its treasures, which, in all candor, should not be missed--the temples are glorious. They stay in their hotels and probably never see the poverty right outside the door.
Our pictures reflect this dichotomy. The beautiful temples and the sad poverty. Remnants of a glorious past and the uncertain future. Should it keep you from going to Cambodia? I say "no." Angkor Wat should not be missed--it is truly a wonder of the world. The Cambodian people have little else. Their economy depends on tourism. Enjoy our pictures of the beautiful temples but they are tinged with sadness.
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| Good Luck, Cambodia |
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