A Few Photos

You may click on these photos to enlarge them. ENJOY!



Independence Monument, only 4 blocks from my apartment. It commemorates independence from the French in 1953. At night it's quite beautiful, floodlit in red, white, and blue lights, the primary colors of the Cambodian national flag.
A street in Phnom Penh demonstrating disparities. Note the seemingly burned-out row houses in the back, with people living in every room possible. Contrast this with the Toyota Minivan in the foreground, with "Donated By" painted on its side. It was probably donated by a foreign NGO. Local and foreign welath shows its presence here and is a stark contrast to the deep poverty in which most Cambodians are immersed.

A view of the National Assembly. It is a truly beautiful piece of Khmer architecture (sorry for the tree obscuring the view!). My landlord works here (as a clerk, not as an assemblymen). His house and possessions speak to the utter corruption of the goverment--the family owns a Lexus SUV and many expensive house decorations and antiques.
Small fishing canoes coming in to dock on the banks of the Tonle Sap. The Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers converge at the center (north-south meaurement) of Phnom Penh and form the eastern border of the city. The Riverfront area, which has been developed as a grassy boulevard with trees and shrines along the river, and with restaurants, bars, and hotels across the street, is located just north of the convergence--right on the Tonle Sap. Many of the owners of these small boats eat, sleep, and live on them, even families of 4 or 5.


This is a great shot of the Riverfront Area, Sisowath Quay. The elephant's name is Sam Bo. He leads an interesting existence. During the day, he is tied up at the base of Wat Phnom, a park that consists of a hill (the only hill in Phnom Penh) with a pagoda on top. He gives rides, eats bananas, and poses for photos all day while being tied up most of the time. Then, at rush hour, he is led on a walk through rushhour traffic down Sisowath Quay to his home. I think his home is behind the restaurant La Croissette, or maybe he just wears their banner (the red cloth on his back and sides) as advertisement for fun!
Sam Bo crossing the street.

A morning view from the apartment I lived in for 1 day. The view was what sold me on the place. I moved out because I felt uncomfortable, because the floor was slanted, because it was up 5 flights of stairs, and because I thought there were bugs crawling all over me in bed the night I stayed there! Don't worry, I'm not totally insane, and I'm happy where I am now. The Khmer architecture in the foreground is a pagoda, and the Japanese (Friendship) Bridge is in the background.A balcony view of an alleyway and typical housing in Phnom Penh.

In the foreground is an outdoor concert space. It serves as a parking lot most of the week, but performances and concerts take place in the early evening on Saturdays and Sundays. In the background, the bell-like structure is Wat Phnom.


The speaking panel at the Convocation Meeting for the Review of the 2006 Work Plan and the Revision of NCHADS's 2007 Work Plan. It was a two-hour long, painfully boring ceremony--even though translation was not simultaneous (it was made after each statement or group of statements), they turned down the microphones on those speaking English so that the Khmer in the audience would focus more on the Khmer translation. I cannot understand the Khmer, and could barely hear the English.

From left, Nicole Seguy, WHO who works at NCHADS; Dr. Mean-Chhi Vun, Director of NCHADS; Lizzie Smith, the head of health programs in Cambodia for DFID, the British Gov's development agency; Dr. Mambun Heng, Secretary of State for Health; Jonathan Ross, Director of health programs for USAID in Cambodia; Tony Lisle, Country Director for UNAIDS; and a man from the CDC.

A celebration for the grand opening of a guesthouse. This is on a street about 2.5 blocks from my apartment now. Similar tents are set up for many occasions--grand openings, weddings, and celebrations to gather offerings and donations for pagodas. They block off half of or whole streets, depending on the number of guests invited. All are colorful, with ornate and bright decorations, flowers, ribbons, and food.