The Sreisaat Adventures in Cambodia

Wordless Wednesday 078: Rural cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:22:00 +0000

Joining the Wordless Wednesday meme again this week. Check out other Wordless entries here.

Shutterday 001: Going to the dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:46:00 +0000

Hi guys, it's my first time to join :)

That's our Joe, our 3month old puppy, checking out one of our friendly and shiny visitors.

Hujambo, Kenya!

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:49:00 +0000

My sister is flying to Kenya on Thursday!

I am so envious. And who wouldn't be?
She will be the first in the family, from either side, who will step foot in the African continent. How can I beat that! :)

She will take her post as a VSO Volunteer in Lukore in the Mombasa district of Kenya. For two years, she will be working with a Kenyan cooperative run mostly by women. As a VSO Volunteer, she is expected to focus on institutional and individual capacity building which will include trainings of cooperative officials, developing cooperative development strategies as well as laying down institutional/organisational systems such as financial and accounting procedures, marketing plans, and even By-laws. The tasks ahead of her are daunting and the conditions are, well, not the same as what she's used to, and I wish her all the best. She has a strong character and an excellent people-to-people skills and so we know she can rise, and she will rise, to the challenges that may come her way.

Her post in her blog today, Hujambo, Kenya!, is very touching. She tells of her son who seems to be okay about her going away. I can't help but feel for her. Two years is a long time, but I agree with her, time will just fly quickly.

Good luck, MamaGirl.
Take care of yourself while there. We'll take care of Joshua for you.

Pinoy mugs

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:54:00 +0000

I recently got in touch with a long-lost friend who just returned to PP and she gifted me with this:

What a perfect timing! Just last week, I dropped the last of our coffee mug and so we are back to using our old tiny cups as we didn't have time to get new ones. This mug is just the right size for R and I, not to small and not too big, perfect for our daily brew. The handle is large enough for easy grip as well. I also love the classic white body painted with the ubiquitous tricycle of our homeland. Oh how I miss our colorful tricycles! Thanks, F! Now whenever I get homesick, I'll just take this mug out of the cupboard and make myself a cuppa.

Would you like one as well? My friend has three more mugs left and she wants to sell them to anyone interested. Leave me a message.

Blog revamp

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:19:00 +0000

I am currently re-constructing my blog template so please excuse the clutter. Just a few more tweaks in the codes here and there, photo adjustments up there... and it'll be up and running in no time. I hope old friends will visit and see me blogging again, and if not, hopefully new ones will come find me here.

Litratong Pinoy #36: (taga-) LINIS (Cleaner)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:08:00 +0000

Humanga ako sa kalinisan ng kapaligiran, lalo na sa rural areas, sa Japan noong minsa'y nakabisita ako doon. Talagang seryoso nilang sinusunod ang pagiging clean and green. Sa syudad naman, napagawi ako sa Asakusa district ng Tokyo, kilala bilang entertainment district ng mga Hapon. Dito makikita ang maraming entertainment venues tulad ng mga parks, shopping arcades, pachinko parlors, traditional Japanese music and kabuki halls at meron ding Western opera, at iba't-ibang klaseng strip shows/seedy clubs. Sa gabi ay nagkikislapan ang iba't-ibang makukulay na ilaw at nakakabinging tugtog na nagmumula sa mga tugtog at barkers na nagsasapawan (halos mapigtas ang kanilang ugat sa leeg) upang manghikayat o mang-akit ng maraming customers.

Pagbalik namin sa umaga, ay ibang eksena ang bumulaga sa amin. Sarado ang halos lahat ng clubs at pachinko parlors, tahimik at may iilang turistang ang naglalakad at nagmamasid-masid.

Sa isang dako ay napansin ko ang mamang ito. Di ko akalain na ang siya pala ay taga-linis sa lugar na iyon. Parang Metro Aide sa atin. Ang kaibahan lang niya sa Metro Aide ay may pasan siya sa balikat ng dalawang drawer (gamit ang mahabang kahoy) kung saan nakalagay ang kanyang mga gamit-panglinis. Di rin halata ang kanyang dala-dalang walis at dustpan. Kung inyong mapapansin (please click to enlarge the pic) ay meron siyang parang prosthetic sa ulo para mag-mukhang nauupaw siya. Bahagi pa pala ito ng gimik sa Asakusa.

Litratong Pinoy #35: Karatula (Signs)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:52:00 +0000

Mga karatulang di-sinasadyang magpatawa subalit nakakatawa, sa kabila ng babala o mahalagang mensaheng ipinahihiwatig nito sa madla.

Seen while on my way to Kep:

And this one was spotted somewhere in Shenzhen, China years ago:

Litratong Pinoy #34: Almusal (breakfast)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:06:00 +0000

Hindi ako mahilig mag-almusal. Ewan ko ba kung bakit. Isa marahil ay ang pagiging malayo ko sa mga mapang-suring mata ng aking Ina nang ako ay nag-aaral pa sa unibersidad. Sa boarding-house kasi ako naka-tira, at, dahil wala ngang parental control, ay nakasanayan ko nang pumasok ng walang almusal-almusal.

Nakasanayan na rin naming mag-asawa ang di mag-almusal sa umaga. Kape lang ay okey na sa amin. Pero noong mga nakaraang taon na ako naka-base pa sa Kep, ay na-engganyo kaming tularan ang mga locals. Sabi nga, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Kaya naman ay tuwing umaga bago pumasok ay dumadaan kami sa mga kainan para mag-almusal ng kuy teav. Ito ay gawa sa rice noodles at sangkap tulad ng baboy o baka at piling herbs. Masarap ang sabaw na galing sa pinakuluan mga buto-buto.

Heto naman ang isang version ng noodle soup na paborito naming mag-asawa kapag kami ay nasa Kep:

Simpleng chicken noodle soup gamit ang instant noodles, laman ng manok at sari-saring gulay.

Noong pumunta naman ako sa Japan ay sinubukan ko rin ang traditional breakfast nila:

Tamago gake gohan ang tawag dito.

Paalam po, Tita Cory...

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Ang iniwan mong mga alaala ay mananatiling buhay sa aking puso at isipan.

Announcement from the Phil. Embassy in PP

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:43:00 +0000

ANNOUNCEMENT : DEMISE OF H.E. CORAZON C. AQUINO, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Phnom Penh regrets to inform the Filipino Community in the Kingdom of Cambodia that H.E. CORAZON C. AQUINO, former President of the Republic of the Philippines, passed away on 01 August 2009.

In this regard, please note the following:

01. A Condolence Book will be opened from 03-07 August 2009 during office hours.

02. The Samahan ng Mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI) will also offer a mass for the late President Aquino on Wednesday, 05 August 2009 at 06:00 p.m. at the Embassy. Those who wish to attend are requested to wear a yellow shirt or dress.

A period of national mourning for ten (10) days has been declared in the Philippines. During this period the Philippine flag will be flown at half-mast.

For information and clarification, please call the EMBASSY at Tel. No.
+855.23.215.145 or +855.23.222.304.

** Photo Credit: Originally uploaded by my dear friend Seralulalu's On My Palette.

Litratong Pinoy #33: Protektado

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:29:00 +0000

Ginamit ko na rin ang litratong ito sa nakaraang LP natin. Pero dahil sa angkop na angkop ang litratong ito sa tema ngayong linggo ay ipinasya kong ibalik ulit ito.

Wala nang hihigit pa sa proteksyon ng sraom anamay (condom). Nandito ang kwento.

Photo Hunt #40: Utensils

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:24:00 +0000

Wow, it's been more than 6months since I last posted an entry for Photo-hunt. I miss you all guys.... I hope old friends find me again here :)

Here's my entry for this week's theme:

It was, about two years ago, that I had one of the most delightful dining experiences of my life. With old-world Nepal setting the tone, food was served in antique, traditional bowls and heavy silverwares. Amazing. Come with me as I relive my old-world dining experience in Nepal.

Closer view:

Sunday laughs

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:49:00 +0000

Today I am breaking my self-imposed hibernation to bring you this hilarious piece I found from another blog. But first let me say that I am still very much alive and kicking in Phnom Penh. Contrary to what my friends think, I didn't fall in one of the many manholes in the city, nor was kidnapped by some wayward highway robbers while on field work. And no, I haven't abandoned this blog.

The truth is, I am currently doing two consultancy jobs at the same time. How courageous, isn't it? But hey, as long as the jobs keep me busy and moolah is coming in, I wouldn't mind the stress that goes with work. After all, I have long asked for this to keep myself from going bananas and from driving Rob further up the wall. Tee-hee-hee. The work arrangement is in my favor because I could both work at home and correspond to my bosses online, and do house-chores at the same time. I only go to the office near the Russian Market once a week, when needed. In addition, they phone me or send me text messages, much to my surprise since most Cambodians are not fond of sending text messages at all. They'd rather pick up their phones and call.

Which is so much different in the Philippines. Texting started out as a craze, especially for young people, but now, it is no longer a craze but a way of life. If you see a man or a woman, hunched in one corner, two hands gripping the cellphone and their knuckles almost white and body seemingly trembling. Well, don't fret folks... look again, because, more often than not, this person is merely writing a text message with great speed! Making a call is not a priority and ignoring someone's call is not a big deal. However, ignoring text messages is unspeakable. So you can imagine how many millions of cellphone messages are being sent by Filipinos everyday!

Just a thought... If God has a cellphone up there, have you ever wondered what kind of messages He would send us? And if you receive one of His messages, would you likely respond? How would you respond?

Anyways, while I was checking Max's blog today, I came across Tony, the funny guy behind the The Old Fart blog, who left a comment months ago. He probably thinks Max got eaten alive by ants by now because we'd never replied back. I was chuckling while I was reading his past posts, and one particular entry caught my attention because it just answered my question (see previous paragraph). Here's is one example of a message God would have sent to us had He got a cellphone up there:

1. no1 b4 me. srsly.
2. dnt wrshp idols.
3. no omg’s.
4. no wrk on sat.
5. ur m&d r cool.
6. dnt kill ppl.
7. :-X only ur m8.
8. dnt steal.
9. dnt lie.
10. dnt ogle ur bf’s m8 or ox or dnkey. myob.

M, pls rite on tabs & giv 2 ppl.

What a hoot! You should head over The Old Fart's blog for more funny takes on his daily life in the land down under.

***
Photos were also taken from Tony's blog.

Litratong Pinoy #32: Basa (wet)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:58:00 +0000

Nagbabalik po ako sa ating lingguhang Photo-meme. Pansamantalang inihinto ko muna ang pagba-blogging dahil ako po ay sinuwerteng nakasungkit ng dalawang raket na walang takot kong pinagsabay! Halata bang matindi ang pangangailangan? Hehehe.

Ang lahok ko sa linggong ito ay kuha nuong nakaraang Abril. Isinali ko na ito sa isang photo-meme pero isinali ko pa rin sa LP dahil angkop na angkop sa tema natin. Kuha ko ito nuong kasagsagan ng summer dito sa amin sa Phnom Penh. Subalit, imbes na matinding init ay nagraragasang ulan ang sumalubong sa aming tag-araw.

Sabi ng mga eksperto sa klima ay ito na raw ang climate change. Oh well, as long as it doesn't snow here yet, I guess I'll be alright.

Wordless Wednesday #77: Still messing about in the river

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:53:00 +0000

Sights along the Tonle Sap.
My entry for the Wednesday-Thursday edition of the Wordless Wednesday.

Still busy with my short-term consultancy. Deadline is looming so please excuse the lack of posts. Will be back to regular posting as soon as things slow down a bit.

Wordless Wednesday #76: Messing about in the river

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:40:00 +0000

Sights along the Tonle Sap.
My entry for the Tuesday-Wednesday edition of the Wordless Wednesday.

Wordless Wednesday #75: Climbing Angkor Wat

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:07:00 +0000

...a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the epitome of high classical style of Khmer architecture, and the highlight of every tourist's visit to Cambodia...

... with steep and very old stairs.

Definitely only for the flexible, agile, and fearless!

Wordless Wednesday #74: Freak weather

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:58:00 +0000

This is what summer looks like now in Phnom Penh.

Experts say this is climate change. Oh well... As long as it doesn't snow here yet, then I'll be ok.

Movie alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Dear Pinoy Friends in Phnom Penh... do you want to chase homesickness away, or, are you looking for something new to do this weekend? Then head over to Meta House tomorrow, Sunday, 3rd of May. Meta House will be presenting NU PHILIPPINE CINEMA, featuring not one, but two Filipino (Indie) films back to back:

7PM - CAVITE (2005, 80 min.)
The breathtaking feature CAVITE by Ian Gamazon/Neill dela Llana focuses on terrorists and proves its mettle and drawing power by its searing and intense representation of a cityscape in the clutches of violence, poverty and globalisation.

8.30PM - PI7ONG TAGPO (2007, 130 min.)
Director Rahyan Carlos puts together seven films about seven lives, seven struggles, seven decisions, seven realities — all shot in one take.

Don't let the rain spoil your weekend. Call all your friends now and set a date for tomorrow night. Let's watch Indie Pinoy movies at Meta House. See you there.

***
META HOUSE
Street 264, #6
Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daun Penh,
Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia

Meta-House is Cambodia's first art/communication/media center just a few minutes away from the riverside and Royal Palace. Know more about the Meta House and their work here.

Litratong Pinoy #31: Tulay (Bridge)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:27:00 +0000

Panay Bridge (Roxas City Bridge
Roxas City, Capiz
Philippine

Sa susunod na taon ay mag-i-isang daang taon na ang Panay Bridge, isa sa mga landmarks sa lungsod ng Roxas. Ginawa noong taong 1910, at ilang bagyo at lindol na rin ang dumaan ay nakatayo pa rin ito. Ito ang nagdudugtong sa residential streets patungo sa commercial district ng aming lungsod. Ito rin ang nagsisilbing gateway papunta sa mga iba't-ibang lalawigan ng Capiz.

Napag-usapan na rin lang natin ang mga lumang tulay, ipapakita ko sa inyo ang dalawa sa nakita kong tulay sa Angkor Wat complex. Kuha ito tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan. Actually causeways ito pero nagsisilbing tulay na rin. (Palusot pa!)

Pasensya na sa makulit na kapatid kong bumalandra para mag-pose (nasa kanan)

Bago makarating sa main entrance ng Angkor Wat Temple ay tatahakin mo muna itong may 500metrong causeway na gawa sa sandstone. Actually hugis-krus ang causeway na ito.

Yan lang po. Bow.

Litratong Pinoy #30: Gusali (Building)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit aliw na aliw akong maglakad sa Phnom Penh ay ang iba't-ibang eksenang nakikita ko. Katulad na lang ng mga gusali. Pinaghalong luma at bago, French colonial design o Khmer architecture, natatawag ang pansin ng sinumang bumisita sa syudad at di maiwasan ang humanga di lamang sa pagkakagawa sa mga ito, kundi pati na rin sa makulay na istoryang bumabalot dito.

Ang mga sumusunod ay iilan sa mga gusaling nakakatawag ng pansin sa Phnom Penh:

National Museum ng Cambodia (foreground)
Kuha ito mula sa gusali ng Foreign Correspondents Club, o FCC, dito sa Phnom Penh kung saan kami ay nananghalian minsan kasama ng aking asawa. Dati itong press club na ginawang watering hole/hotel na paboritong puntahan ng mga expats. Dahil sa dami ng tao ay sa may likurang bahagi ng restawran na kami nakaupo. Sulit naman ang pwesto namin dahil hindi man kami nakaharap sa riverfront ay nakatambad naman sa amin ang napakagandang pavilion ng National Museum of Cambodia. Ginawa ito noong taong 1917 sa tulong ng mga French colonialists. Kapansin-pansin na ang architectural design ay typical Khmer kahit na French ang nagpagawa ng gusaling ito.

Nakakatawag din ng pansin itong nabubulok na gusali sa may bandang kaliwa ng litrato. Isa ito sa mga mansyong naitayo noong panahon pa ng mga French na may istilong rococo. Pag-aari ng isang pribadong indibidwal, ngayon ay nabili na ito ng FCC upang i-restore at gawing isang luxury hotel at French bistro na magiging bahagi ng FCC.

My favorite place -- Phnom Penh General Post Office
Ito ang palagi kong binabalik-balikan at di ako magsasawang balikan. Labs ko kasi ang snail mail kaya palagi akong nagpapadala ng sulat at postcards at hindi ako umuuwing empty-handed :) Dito rin pala ang opisina ng Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

Phnom Penh Railway Station

Psah Thmey or Central Market

Royal Palace - ang tahanan ng kasalukuyang hari ng Cambodia

Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay ito ang (lumang gusali ng) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Malapit lang ito sa Royal Palace.

Buddhist Institute

Litratong Pinoy #29: Hardin (Garden)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:36:00 +0000

Naku, nahuli na naman ako. Nawili kasi ako doon sa embassy. Tumambay muna ako pagkatapos kong magpa-rehistro. Pangatlo at huling araw ngayon ng Khmer New Year pero bukas ang embassy para makapag-rehistro ang mga Pilipinong naka-base sa mga probinsya na nagbabakasyon ngayon sa Phnom Penh.

Maraming kaibigan ko ang nagtataka kung ano ang ginagawa namin sa Phnom Penh kapag walang pasok. Mangyari kasi ay walang masyadong pasyalan o libangan dito. May iilang sinehan nga pero di naman nagpapalabas ng mga Hollywood movies. E di ano pa ang magandang gawin kundi ang magbutingting...

Heto ang resulta ng aming pagbu-butingting:

Ang rooftop garden sa dati naming bahay sa Boengkengkang area noong 2006:

At heto naman ang aming hardin sa kasalukuyan; sayang at maliit lang ang espasyo namin:

Likas sa mga English ang mag-garden kaya nahawa na rin ako. Bukod sa mga bulaklak ay may tanim kaming sili, bawang, Thai basil, mint, lime at iba pa. Pagdating ng araw ng aming pagre-retiro ay balak naming bumili ng kapirasong lupa at maging farmers :)

Happy 2553!

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:22:00 +0000

I am finally breaking my self-imposed hiatus (err, more likely, procrastination) just so I could greet my Khmer friends and wish the whole Buddhist world a happy new year. It is now year 2553 in the Buddhist calendar and the year of the ox.

"New Year again?!?", my non-Buddhist friends responded to me incredulously, the same kind of incredulous response I get from them upon learning that after nine years, I am still here in Cambodia. But that's another story.

So yes, dear friends. Not all cultures celebrate the new year on January 1st, and one of them is Cambodia.

Today, April 14th, is the beginning of the Khmer New Year. It began around 1pm, according to the Buddhist astrology, and runs until Thursday, April 16th. Here, and in other Buddhist countries such as Thailand and Sri Lanka, among others, the new year is based on astrological calculations. When the old year ends and the new year begins, is also based on these calculations.

So today is the grand Maha Songkran, or the first day of the Khmer New Year. According to the Buddhist beliefs, angels known as apsaras or devatas come down to replace the old ones here to watch the earth. Read more about Khmer New Year traditions here.

The Khmer New Year is a big thing for the Cambodians and so the weeks leading to this event are pure madness with people shopping. Like yesterday, when we were on our way to the butcher's shop, we passed by Street 13, up to Psah Chah where the traffic was terribly horrendous. The market was overly-teeming with shoppers and sellers alike, spilling out to the pavements. Add to the shopping frenzy was the sea of cyclos, motos, tuk-tuks and cars of all models, competing to go ahead of others, all impatient, pushing and pushing, never to wait and give way. Some were just parked in the middle of the road. Along with the crazy traffic, the sun was at its hottest, and the excruciating sound of Khmer karaoke blaring from a nearby electronic store made the market scene all the more chaotic.

Look at how the tuktuk bullied its way into the traffic, making a U-turn in an already congested two-way road:

Look, a gap!

I know you're there but I'm not looking...

Nearly there...

... jeut-jeut...jeut-jeut... slowly... slowly...

... there... ahhhhh, the tuk-tuk driver smiles at himself proudly!

Can you imagine how pissed off we were behind him?

Wordless Wednesday #73: Postcards galore

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:25:00 +0000

After a two-week holiday, I came home to find a truckload of postcards and two parcels waiting for me. Total happiness!

Originally posted here.

Litratong Pinoy #28: Paboritong Litrato (favorite picture/s)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:58:00 +0000

Unang-una, ipagpaumanhin po ninyo ang di ko pagsali ng dalawang linggo dahil ako po ay umalis at nangibang-bansa kasama ang aking asawa. At sa aking pagbabalik, lubos ang aking tuwa dahil isang taon na pala ang Litratong Pinoy! Woo-hoo! Maligayang bati!

Natuwa din ako dahil marami akong paboritong litrato na gusto kong ibahagi para sa linggong ito. Tulad na lang ng mga ito:

... mga lugar na aking napuntahan/places I've been to:

... mga borloloy (pamangkin) sa pamilya/ family's little rascals (nieces and nephew):

Pa-cute moments

Gulp War

... at ng isa pang borloloy dito sa Phnom Penh/and another rascal with us here in Phnom Penh:

I ar da boss hir!

Da queen of our haws