So since I have shown you were I lived (video of my new place coming soon), I thought I would show you where I work. Today might not have been the best day to show you the office seeing as how many people were gone, but if I keep putting it off then I never get around to it. Anyways, it might not be too exciting but you'll get a little look where I work and see some of the people that I work with.
NOTE: Please take not of the new globe that goes from Sacramento to Phnom Penh. I thought it was pretty sweet!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thanksgiving in Cambodia
So as all of you know, last week was Thanksgiving. Being in Cambodia, I was wondering how I would be celebrating this year. Obviously Thanksgiving is very much an American holiday and so we actually decided to share the festivities with some Khmer people, just to show them what Thanksgiving is to us and some of the traditions that we have back home.
There is quite a big community of American's that are working for NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) here in Cambodia so we all collaborated to make a Thanksgiving feast with many of the typical dishes we would have at home. We actually had quite the feast including mashed potatoes, green beans, stewed carrots, stuffing, biscuits, corn, and chicken (in replacement of the turkey, which I wasn't complaining about). Dessert even consisted of pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread with ice cream. The mashed potatoes were my job, but since we didn't really have the means to make gravy, I made garlic cheese mashed potatoes which turned out to be a huge hit. I went over to Aimee's house to cook before the festivities began, which made it even better to have someone to cook with.
It was funny to watch some of the Khmer people try our food from home. Things like stuffing just were odd to them and many of them passed. We even had a hand drawn turkey on some butcher paper on the wall where everyone wrote what they were thankful for. Overall, it was a great replacement for Thanksgiving at home and it was a lot of fun to show the Khmer people some of our culture. Here are some pictures from the evening!
There is quite a big community of American's that are working for NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) here in Cambodia so we all collaborated to make a Thanksgiving feast with many of the typical dishes we would have at home. We actually had quite the feast including mashed potatoes, green beans, stewed carrots, stuffing, biscuits, corn, and chicken (in replacement of the turkey, which I wasn't complaining about). Dessert even consisted of pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread with ice cream. The mashed potatoes were my job, but since we didn't really have the means to make gravy, I made garlic cheese mashed potatoes which turned out to be a huge hit. I went over to Aimee's house to cook before the festivities began, which made it even better to have someone to cook with.
It was funny to watch some of the Khmer people try our food from home. Things like stuffing just were odd to them and many of them passed. We even had a hand drawn turkey on some butcher paper on the wall where everyone wrote what they were thankful for. Overall, it was a great replacement for Thanksgiving at home and it was a lot of fun to show the Khmer people some of our culture. Here are some pictures from the evening!
18 potatoes to peel, boil & mash..... with not really the right utensils = a daunting task & chunky mashed potatoes
Here are the potatoes in the process & yes that is Aimee's face barely making it into the shot
So earlier that day I had learned to drive a moto, and thanks to my roomate Maria in letting me use her moto, I strapped my pot of mashed potatoes to the back of my moto and was off to the Thanksgiving party. In Cambodia, strapping stuff on the back of your moto is very typical. I can't tell you some of the crazy things I've seen strapped on the back of motos!
Aimee & Pipor on their way to the party
Our feast.... on the ground of course!
Dessert!
So there you have it! That's what I did on my Thanksgiving! It actually made it much easier to not miss home (not to say that I don't miss you all). Hope everyone had a great holiday!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Things I've Learned
So in the past couple of weeks, I started to write down some things that I'm learning while I'm here. Some of them are simply funny. Just quirky things that happen here that are so opposite of what I know at home. Other things are closer to my heart and are becoming things that are impacting me stronger.
A lot of them are fragments and very "note like" because I would try and write them down quickly before I forgot them. I thought maybe I'd ellaborate on them, but then I figured that I think it gives a simpler, more raw perspective of what I was thinking. I don't think everything needs complex words.
- Stop lights are mere suggestions
- A little Khmer can go a long way
- Honking on the street is more of a, "Hey, I'm coming up next to you" and is never followed by the middle finger
- On the road, if your bigger..... you win..... bottom line
- Always get off a moto on the left side of the bike in order to avoid a burn on your leg from the muffler
- You don't really NEED hot water to take a shower
- It is perfectly acceptable to have the shower and toilet completely unseperated
- Even though they do drive on the right side of the road, you are really not limited to that
- Culture influences those who grow up in it in ways that you couldn't imagine, both good and bad
- It's easy to find things very normal here, even though in America the same thing might be absurd
- A more broad world view.... in general and in very specific ways
- There is so much about people's character that is just the same as the people back home. It's easy to look at people here as very different, but overall there are so many similarities.
- When something becomes so familiar, it is easy to become numb to it. There are things that go on here that people don't even flinch at anymore. It's become an everyday thing to them, and little do they know how it effects them.
Some things might need more explaining so feel free to ask. I always enjoy emails ;) hint hint!
A lot of them are fragments and very "note like" because I would try and write them down quickly before I forgot them. I thought maybe I'd ellaborate on them, but then I figured that I think it gives a simpler, more raw perspective of what I was thinking. I don't think everything needs complex words.
- Stop lights are mere suggestions
- A little Khmer can go a long way
- Honking on the street is more of a, "Hey, I'm coming up next to you" and is never followed by the middle finger
- On the road, if your bigger..... you win..... bottom line
- Always get off a moto on the left side of the bike in order to avoid a burn on your leg from the muffler
- You don't really NEED hot water to take a shower
- It is perfectly acceptable to have the shower and toilet completely unseperated
- Even though they do drive on the right side of the road, you are really not limited to that
- Culture influences those who grow up in it in ways that you couldn't imagine, both good and bad
- It's easy to find things very normal here, even though in America the same thing might be absurd
- A more broad world view.... in general and in very specific ways
- There is so much about people's character that is just the same as the people back home. It's easy to look at people here as very different, but overall there are so many similarities.
- When something becomes so familiar, it is easy to become numb to it. There are things that go on here that people don't even flinch at anymore. It's become an everyday thing to them, and little do they know how it effects them.
Some things might need more explaining so feel free to ask. I always enjoy emails ;) hint hint!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Khmer Rouge Trial
Today I went with a bunch of the Chab Dai staff to actually see part of the Khmer Rouge criminal trial. If you do not know, the Khmer Rouge was the "political party" that came to power in the late 1970s in order to establish Cambodia as a communist nation. In order to do this, they killed many people who either showed signs of intelligence or education in order to "even out" the Cambodian race. This is now known as Genocide and has been seen in Germany with the Nazis, as well as in other countries such as Rawanda, Africa. There is much more to the history of the Khmer Rouge, so if you get a chance, look it up and do some research. It is very interesting, especially seeing as how in America it is something that is not very widely taught in school or anything.
This week they are finishing up the first part of the trials, in which they are trying Khang Khek leu also known as Duch. Duch was actually the man that ran Tuol Sleng, a former High School that was turned into a prison during the Khmer Rouge reign where captives were taken, held, interrogated, tortured & then later killed. Only a few people survived Tuol Sleng, where almost 17,000 were admitted to the prison during the three year period. Duch worked under the Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot.
The trial was very interesting today. The court is comprised of both Cambodian and foreign judges as well as representation on both sides. They were in the closing arguments in order to determine the verdict for Duch. He faces anywhere from 5 years to life in prison. It was interesting to hear as the defense proceeded to explain how Duch was actually working under the command of other leaders and really had no choice but to proceed with the tortures and killings. The way that justice works is always very intriguing and often has a lot of twists in it.
It was almost an eerie feeling in the courtroom. You look at this man, and he really looks just like you and me. Clean cut and very put together. It's hard to imagine the atrocities that he committed and took part in. Nonetheless, this is a very historical time for the Cambodians here. Although these trials cannot bring back loved ones or undo the hurt and trauma some people are still dealing with, it is a sign that Cambodia is working to better their system of justice and hold people responsible for their actions. I won't say what I believe the sentence should be for this man, but I will say that I hope whatever it is, that it would be only the beginning to moving away from what Cambodia has been through.
The trial was very interesting today. The court is comprised of both Cambodian and foreign judges as well as representation on both sides. They were in the closing arguments in order to determine the verdict for Duch. He faces anywhere from 5 years to life in prison. It was interesting to hear as the defense proceeded to explain how Duch was actually working under the command of other leaders and really had no choice but to proceed with the tortures and killings. The way that justice works is always very intriguing and often has a lot of twists in it.
It was almost an eerie feeling in the courtroom. You look at this man, and he really looks just like you and me. Clean cut and very put together. It's hard to imagine the atrocities that he committed and took part in. Nonetheless, this is a very historical time for the Cambodians here. Although these trials cannot bring back loved ones or undo the hurt and trauma some people are still dealing with, it is a sign that Cambodia is working to better their system of justice and hold people responsible for their actions. I won't say what I believe the sentence should be for this man, but I will say that I hope whatever it is, that it would be only the beginning to moving away from what Cambodia has been through.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Just to catch you up on my life...
So there's been a lot going on since I last posted here. There will definitely be more details to come, but here is the gist of it:
- I have moved to a new place! It's a house that is big and I have lots of space, as well as my own privacy. I have a kitchen, which surprisingly I am very excited about. Before I was thinking I wouldn't care that I didn't have a kitchen, but now that I have one, I'm really excited about it.
- The lady that owns the house actually has a moto that she doesn't use and will be letting me use it. So once I get a little tutorial on how to control one of these things, I'll be out on the road. Really exciting!
- I have meetings every day this week with organizations that want to use my photography for their projects. This is really exciting! These meetings are going to be more pre-liminary to working with the organization (signing contracts, agreements, expectations etc.) Please pray that the organizations would trust me and see that I want to really respect their policies and would allow me to use the images when I get back home for the work I want to do there.
- I have received my first moto burn..... not such a positive thing :(
Anyways, there are some things that have been happening in the last few days! Hope all is well with everyone back home!
- I have moved to a new place! It's a house that is big and I have lots of space, as well as my own privacy. I have a kitchen, which surprisingly I am very excited about. Before I was thinking I wouldn't care that I didn't have a kitchen, but now that I have one, I'm really excited about it.
- The lady that owns the house actually has a moto that she doesn't use and will be letting me use it. So once I get a little tutorial on how to control one of these things, I'll be out on the road. Really exciting!
- I have meetings every day this week with organizations that want to use my photography for their projects. This is really exciting! These meetings are going to be more pre-liminary to working with the organization (signing contracts, agreements, expectations etc.) Please pray that the organizations would trust me and see that I want to really respect their policies and would allow me to use the images when I get back home for the work I want to do there.
- I have received my first moto burn..... not such a positive thing :(
You can't really tell where this is but it's right below my right calf. I got it when getting off a moto and burned myself on the exhaust.
Anyways, there are some things that have been happening in the last few days! Hope all is well with everyone back home!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Video Blog #5 - Khmer Lesson w/ Jeremy & Tania
So as I'm here in Cambodia, I'm trying to somewhat learn the language at least so I can communicate enough to get by. It's pretty difficult seeing as how I'm just learning on the streets, but I'm surviving. The language here is Khmer, pronounced Ka-mi. The -er is actually more of an "I". Anyways, here is a little lesson on how to speak Khmer.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Language Mix Ups
As I've been here longer, I try and get around on the motos and tuk tuks more by myself, which then forces me to try and communicate more with the people here. This often results in a great deal of hand motions and a prayer all the way to my destination hoping the driver understood where I want to go. The drivers tend to do the whole "smile & nod" thing even when they don't know what you mean, just so you'll hop on and go with them anyways. I've had some uncertain rides, but so far I have always arrived at my desired destinations.
One thing I find really humorous is my tendency to use any language familiar besides Khmer. For me, I often find myself using Spanish when speaking to a Khmer person. I think the turn of events in my brain is something like this (in a typical transportation situation):
Khmer Moto Driver: Moto?! Moto?! (Shouting towards the 6'2" white guy walking down the street)
Jeremy: (A simple nod & hand gesture saying "Yes, I do need a moto!")
Khmer Moto Driver: (Either a questioning stare or some jumble of Khmer I don't really understand but is undoubtedly asking "Where would you like to go?")
Jeremy: Jit Psa Totem Pong (The little Khmer I know saying, "Next to the Russian Market")
Khmer Moto Driver: (Smiles and nods and turns his bike so I can get on)
Jeremy: (I board the moto, with helmet on of course, and am confident he knows where he is going)
Here is where it starts to get tricky. There are two ways to get to the market from where I am staying. I would prefer to go one direction because it leads me closer to my destination. So let's fast forward to where we get to the fork in the road in which my moto driver can go either direction.
Moto Driver: (Gestures to the direction I desire to go, as if to ask me, "This way?")
Jeremy's Brain: This man does not speak English. He will not really understand my answer in English, but I have forgotten how to say "yes" in Khmer, so I will resort to any other language I know..... Spanish!
Jeremy: Si!
Jeremy's Brain: Crap!!! He doesn't understand that either! How embarassing!
Moto Driver: (Thoroughly confused at this point and still hesitant as to which way to go)
Jeremy: Uhhhhh.... ehhhhh.... uhhh...... BOT!!!!
Jeremy's Brain: That's right! That's how you say "yes" in Khmer!
Moto Driver: (Nods and continues on his way, I'm sure thinking "What in God's name did he even just say to me?")
This has definitely happened multiple times and has led to much embarrassment. Most of the time the Khmer person ignores it, but I'm sure there is stuff going on in their heads! It has happened with more un-subtle words as well. Whenever I'm saying something and don't really know the next word, something in Spanish will come out and I will fill in the gaps with the only other language I am fluent in.
I just thought this would be something fun to enlighten you all in as I continue to adjust here in Cambodia.
One thing I find really humorous is my tendency to use any language familiar besides Khmer. For me, I often find myself using Spanish when speaking to a Khmer person. I think the turn of events in my brain is something like this (in a typical transportation situation):
Khmer Moto Driver: Moto?! Moto?! (Shouting towards the 6'2" white guy walking down the street)
Jeremy: (A simple nod & hand gesture saying "Yes, I do need a moto!")
Khmer Moto Driver: (Either a questioning stare or some jumble of Khmer I don't really understand but is undoubtedly asking "Where would you like to go?")
Jeremy: Jit Psa Totem Pong (The little Khmer I know saying, "Next to the Russian Market")
Khmer Moto Driver: (Smiles and nods and turns his bike so I can get on)
Here is where it starts to get tricky. There are two ways to get to the market from where I am staying. I would prefer to go one direction because it leads me closer to my destination. So let's fast forward to where we get to the fork in the road in which my moto driver can go either direction.
Moto Driver: (Gestures to the direction I desire to go, as if to ask me, "This way?")
Jeremy's Brain: This man does not speak English. He will not really understand my answer in English, but I have forgotten how to say "yes" in Khmer, so I will resort to any other language I know..... Spanish!
Jeremy: Si!
Jeremy's Brain: Crap!!! He doesn't understand that either! How embarassing!
Moto Driver: (Thoroughly confused at this point and still hesitant as to which way to go)
Jeremy's Brain: That's right! That's how you say "yes" in Khmer!
Moto Driver: (Nods and continues on his way, I'm sure thinking "What in God's name did he even just say to me?")
This has definitely happened multiple times and has led to much embarrassment. Most of the time the Khmer person ignores it, but I'm sure there is stuff going on in their heads! It has happened with more un-subtle words as well. Whenever I'm saying something and don't really know the next word, something in Spanish will come out and I will fill in the gaps with the only other language I am fluent in.
I just thought this would be something fun to enlighten you all in as I continue to adjust here in Cambodia.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Cambodia Via my iPhone
So I've been taking some random pictures with my iPhone throughout my trip. Mostly things that were worth documenting but not really worthy of the big camera. Funny things. Quirky things. Basically whatever. By no means are these any representation of my work :)
I am a little behind at posting them because I was having a hard time transfering them from my phone, but here they are anyways.
I am a little behind at posting them because I was having a hard time transfering them from my phone, but here they are anyways.
Just about to board the plane from San Francisco
I asked for coffee ice cream..... this is what they gave me..... Genilson found it hilarious
Just some work before the Chab Dai mtg (more just proof we actually do work here)
G lookin fly!
My sweet Chab Dai Business card and it's cool carrying case from Sauk Sam
So I ordered an iced coffee from a cafe and this is what it came in.... please know that the cafe had nothing to do with Rabbits and it is nowhere near easter
Stay tuned because I am sure there will be more to come. Chom riep leah.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Some Photos... So Far
So a few people have been asking me to start posting some pictures of my trip so far. There are a few reasons as to why I have not posted many so far:
1. I really actually haven't taken many photos yet. Mostly because I'm still getting used to everything and everyone is still getting used to me quite frankly. It's somewhat odd to come into a third world country and just start snapping pictures and putting it for everyone to see. I think a lot of photographers do that, but as for myself I have made it a point to be sensitive to the culture and living environments.
2. In my agreement with Chab Dai, they must approve almost all pictures that I take, especially that are at all relative to trafficking and/or vulnerable individuals. Some subjects just might not be appropriate to be put on a blog, but will eventually be used in materials and/or my pieces when I return.
3. As selfish as it might sound, some things I want to be left as a surprise for when my project is completed and you can see the images in their entirety. It's hard for me to show you everything before it's exactly how I want you to see it.
With all that said, I will do my best to put up some photos I don't mind you seeing and are things that I have been doing here. Hope you enjoy them.
Perry & Levi were here this past week so we did a lot of touring around Phnom Penh. It was nice to have Levi here to get a few pictures that I'm actually in, seeing as how I am normally the one behind the lens.
1. I really actually haven't taken many photos yet. Mostly because I'm still getting used to everything and everyone is still getting used to me quite frankly. It's somewhat odd to come into a third world country and just start snapping pictures and putting it for everyone to see. I think a lot of photographers do that, but as for myself I have made it a point to be sensitive to the culture and living environments.
2. In my agreement with Chab Dai, they must approve almost all pictures that I take, especially that are at all relative to trafficking and/or vulnerable individuals. Some subjects just might not be appropriate to be put on a blog, but will eventually be used in materials and/or my pieces when I return.
3. As selfish as it might sound, some things I want to be left as a surprise for when my project is completed and you can see the images in their entirety. It's hard for me to show you everything before it's exactly how I want you to see it.
With all that said, I will do my best to put up some photos I don't mind you seeing and are things that I have been doing here. Hope you enjoy them.
Perry & Levi were here this past week so we did a lot of touring around Phnom Penh. It was nice to have Levi here to get a few pictures that I'm actually in, seeing as how I am normally the one behind the lens.
This is at Wat Phnom, a temple, where wild monkeys roam around. Don't ask me why I stood like this, I fully regret my decision to do so.
Wat Phnom
This is a Tuk Tuk, the equivalent to a Taxi I guess. We ride this around quite a bit, at least until I got my helmet to be able to ride a moto.
The Russian Market (Psa Toltum Pong): These are some pictures I took at the Russian Market the other day. It is one of the more popular markets in the area and also the one that was featured in the recent episode of The Amazing Race (they had to find the scarf and then find someone wearing the matching one). We go here quite often. I still get lost in it. There are definitely some interesting things here that they sell, especially in the food area. I'll just let you see.
Levi in the Market
So there you have it! Just a few pictures of what I see everyday here in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Hope everyone is well at home. Feel free to send me emails and ask me questions or tell me what you might want to see more of on my blog. I always love hearing from home!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Video Blog #4: Me & Levi
My friend Levi was in Cambodia for a few days, so we decided to make a blog.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
A Crazy Night in Cambodia
So here's just a little explanation of my first crazy night in Cambodia :)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Video Blog #2: Cribs Edition
So here's a little something I put together just to show you where I am staying here in Cambodia for at least the first 10 days. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
First Morning in My Home for 2 Months!
So I have arrived here in Phnom Penh, Cambodia safe and sound. It was a long ride but we made it fine. There's a lot to say about the culture and everything here but I will share more on another post. Here's my first little video post of the trip! Enjoy!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The Night Before it all Begins
So tomorrow is the big day!! I leave from San Francisco at noon on Sunday, and ready or not it is finally here! It definitely came up quick. I got all the support that I needed, actually over and above my $3000 goal!!! Praise God!
Anyways, tonight I had some people over while I was packing and we decided to have a little fun with the webcam on my computer. Enjoy and the next time you will be hearing from me I will be in Cambodia!
Anyways, tonight I had some people over while I was packing and we decided to have a little fun with the webcam on my computer. Enjoy and the next time you will be hearing from me I will be in Cambodia!
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