It's very easy for foreigners to buy property and start businesses in Cambodia. I guess that's a good thing. It puts local people to work. I've grumbled to Mike and David about how clueless some of the locals in the service industry are. They try very hard but don't seem to get it. The Khmer Rouge killed 14 percent of the brightest people in Cambodia. Teachers, administrators, government workers, monks, farmers, factory workers were targeted. People wearing glasses were singled out. David has a theory. Maybe the gene pool has been affected.
There are dozens of NGO's trying to help Cambodia. Only 20 % of donated money goes to help. The rest is overhead. When a new guy comes to head an outfit, the first thing has to do is buy a big SUV, move into a big house, etc.
Families have to pay to send their children to school. Many are too poor so the children don't get to learn. The schools are so crowded kids go to school half day. They switch every month. Morning one month, afternoon the next. That would seem impracticle. Theres a reason. Afternoons are better for the chidren selling trinkets at the temples. They trade off so everyone gets a chance at the good selling time.
It was fun seeing Adam again. He carted us around for two days. Our last evening he joined us for drinks and pool at Mikeys bar. Mikeys is owned by an American named Doug. The bar is named after his son. He sold a successful Mikeys in Phenom Penh. The new owner fired all the staff, changed the name, and told Doug he didn't want his drunken friends coming in. In two years he was out of business.
There are no photos of Adam because I forgot to take any! Solly! I guess I'll have to go back!
Bye for now, Doablah
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