The Kingdom of Cambodia

            Immediately after my two days in Vietnam, I headed the next morning on a two-day Semester at Sea overnight trip to Cambodia.  The itinerary was packed, but it was full of very educational, moving, and historical sites.

            From Ho Chi Minh City we flew to Phnom Phen, Cambodia. Upon arriving we visited a museum, and an orphanage. The orphanage was short but sweet. I was surprised by how happy the children were, and how excited they were for us to visit. As soon as we walked through the door two little boys came and grabbed my hand, and took me on a tour of the place that they called home. One of my friends asked where they slept, and they smiled and pointed to the floor. As little as they had, they were happy as could be. At the end of the tour, they asked me for my shoes because they had outgrown there’s. Given the fact that the only shoes I had were the ones I had on, I took the two boys to a local shop to buy some flip-flops. They were so happy to have a new pair of flip-flops to wear to school, and they would no longer have to go barefoot. I asked them why they wanted to buy them two sizes too big, and they replied in broken English- they wanted them to last for years to come.

            4:00 am the next day, we begin our full day tour of Cambodia. First we visited the Sliver Pagoda and King’s Palace. Cambodia is classified as a Kingdom, and they have a King who acts as a figurehead for the Country, who lives in the Palace. The Palace is typical South East Asian architecture, with pointed roofs, brightly colored buildings, elaborated decorations and carvings. It was fantastic.

Kings Palace, Cambodia

            By 8:00am, we had already visited the palace, eaten breakfast, and were off to a Museum. However, this museum was not a typical building with typical artifacts. It was formerly a school until it was converted by the Pol Pot regime under Kumar Rouge, into a genocide and torture camp. It was called S-21, site 21, meaning that it was only one of too, too many. This site was particularly torturous and inhumane, and of 20,000 victims who passed through, only 7 survivors remained.  Our tour guide could barely hold back his tears as he discussed the systems of torture and tragedy. He broke into tears when one of the survivors walked by us, one of the 3 alive today, who visits the site almost every day to sell his book and story of his time at S-21.

            As we began to walk through the various quadrants of the compound, the tragedy of the situation, and devastation the country experienced, hit me. One of every four people was killed under the Pol Pot regime and the Kumar Rouge, that’s  ¼ of the total population of Cambodia. Most of the people killed were educated, and killed because their education was seen as a threat to the regime. The cells still had blood stained floors, and hundreds of pictures of the victims (pre and post torture) lined the walls. It was devastating. After the museum we visited the killing fields, where the victims were transported from the sites to be killed in what could only be described as a mass genocide. As we walked around the fields you could see pieces of fabric and clothing buried under the dirt, and bones and teeth surrounding the mass graves. What made it absolutely horrifying was the fact that the pieces of this tragedy still remained; the wounds of the country still open. The horror the people have faced, and the number of parents, siblings, and children who were victims is unbearable.

            Even given the tragedy of their past, the people of Cambodia carried with them such optimism and hope for the future. The population of Cambodia is very young and youthful, and it’s hard to find a person over the age of 35. Even so, they still carry on and continue to rebuild the country.

            My last day in Cambodia I visited Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom; two ancient cities built hundreds of years ago by two emperors. Angkor Wat was built first; and Angkor Thom was built second. The remains of the city are incredibly preserved, and it was both were two of my favorites sites I have visited so far. The architecture and detail at both of these sites is out of this world. To say I was astonished would be an understatement. Every inch of the walls are carved, every corner has a statue, and every hall and stairway brings both awe and wonder.  

      

                                                  

                                                              Bayon Temple Statue, Angkor Thom

                               

                               

                                      Angkor Wat 

Back in Nam

         When we first arrived in Vietnam I had no idea what to expect. The country has struggled through various wars, both domestic and international. I thought it would be a country left in devastation. When I arrived I was surprised at the level of development and positive attitude of the people given all they have been through.

            My first day I explored Saigon, which is the downtown area of Ho Chi Minh City. Walking around I began to understand the common perception that Asia is cheap and consumption based; three pairs of sunglasses for a dollar, shirts for two dollars, 3 bracelets for 50 cents. I was so overwhelmed that I whipped out my camera to capture the chaos in a picture, I tripped and fell, camera flying. It was slightly embarrassing and some of the locals laughed a little, but don’t worry dad; my camera is safe!

Ho Chi Minh City

            After a day of exploring and shopping, I headed to the Cu Chi Tunnels on my second day in Vietnam. I had been looking forward to going to the tunnels ever since I had found out Vietnam was on the Itinerary. I am not an expert on American history, but I knew that they played a huge role in the Vietnam War, which in Vietnam they refer to as the “American War.” The tunnels are an intricate system of underground passages stretching over 121 km long that underlie most of the country. The Cu Chi local villagers originally used them as a system of transportation from town to town so they could travel safely. They were later used and extended by the Vietcong, who developed them as an underground base. The tunnels connected various rooms, medical bases, military meeting points and kitchens. From these tunnels the Vietcong conducted various war efforts through the use of guerilla tactics. The tactics were extremely inhumane. The Americans had no idea where the traps were located, nor did they know how they were attacked in the middle of the night, with the Vietcong going un-noticed. Closed and camouflaged by leaves, the Vietcong set up various traps and land mines, which went undetected by the Americans. These traps would be underground, and once a soldier fell through, they would be speared or cut by the underlying spikes in the bottom of the hole. 

A little Scared, The Cui Chi Tunnels

Many of the Americans I toured the tunnels with found it extremely moving and sentimental, as did I, but from a more impartial viewpoint, I was more shocked by the tragedy experienced on both sides.

Two days in Vietnam was not enough. One of the draws of this semester is visiting so many countries in so few days, but one of the setbacks is not being able to see everything I would like. While I learned a lot in my short time in Vietnam, I hope to find an excuse or reason to visit again in the future.

Off to Cambodia!

The Lion City: Singapore

            Singapore is a stunning city. Many people are under the impression that all of Asia is underdeveloped and not as prosperous as the western world. Singapore is an absolute exception.

            When I first applied for Semester at Sea and realized that we would be visiting Singapore I was extremely excited. Being a business student, I often read about Singapore in case studies because it is a story of economic and social success.

            The government of Singapore centrally controls the City. While the government and its leader  are praised for their leadership in transforming Singapore from a British colony, to an Independent Nation, you can tell the people are held to extremely high standards. As one taxi driver said, “the government control everything, housing, business, even the taxi meter.” I noticed that as we past through the city streets there were checkpoints that looked like traffic lights, but instead they were fee checkpoints that automatically take away money off of a prepaid monitoring control system in the taxi/car. My taxi driver explained that you have to pay a $1 for every checkpoint, but if you don’t have any money left on your prepaid care you get fined $9. A hefty return on investment for the government of Singapore!

Some fun facts that make Singapore the “FINE” city are:

- $500 for not flushing a public toilet

- $1000 for urinating in an elevator (I didn’t know anybody did that?)

- $500 for chewing gum or spitting

- $500 for eating on the metro system

- $1000 for littering

Additionally:

- It is Illegal to Sell Gum

- Drug Trafficking is punishable by death

Singapore. The "Fine" City

            While the government maintains tight control over it’s people, you can see where some of the money has gone. The buildings are extremely modern, the streets of the city are the cleanest I have ever see, the transportation system is efficient, sterile, and extremely high-tech, and the shopping is high class. A friend described it as, “Rodeo Drive on Steroids.” One of the building I visited called the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, is a three towered building, with a 57^th floor stretched across all three of the building, containing a bar (which I enjoyed a local “Tiger,” beer at), three Olympic sized infinity swimming pool, and restaurants. It’s an absolutely incredible building and the best view of the amazing Island of Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel, 57th Floor

             I wish that we would have been able to stay in Singapore for longer than 12 hours, but we made the most of it. Four of my friends happened to be on a United Nations Conference there, so I was able to meet up with some familiar faces, which was nice too. It made me a little homesick, but I am already in the final stretch so I think I know to enjoy it while it lasts. Some of the day’s events included touring along the river and harbor, visiting the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel, Segqwaying in Sentosa Amusement Park, visiting the China Town Market, having a tiger beer at the bar. We also attempted to go see the Malion- the symbol of Singapore (Nicknamed the Lion City), but it was unfortunately under renovation.

Segwaying in Singapore with the Canadians

It is a very posh and modern city, and I hope to go back one day and visit for longer than 12 hours!

Next Stop: Vietnam and Cambodia. We have also changed our itinerary and are now going to Taiwan instead of Japan (April 4-7^th), due to the recent events.

When in India

In one word, India was a lot.

A lot of places

A lot of people

A lot of poverty

To describe it further, India was astonishing.  It is a place of cultural, historical, social, and economical significance. One of the most astonishing facts about India is that is the only country to obtain independence through non violent means. This is largely in part to the father of the nation, Gandhi; who believed in satyagraha meaning non violence. As he once wisely said:

“An eye for an eye only ends up

making the whole world blind.”

– Mohandas Gandhi

The first day I went on a service project to a Dalit village.  The Dalit’s are the lowest rank in the caste system, which still exists in modern day India. They are further divided into what is known as “touchables” or “untouchables.” The group we worked with were the “untouchables.” They were so happy to have our help. It’s ironic because the one’s who are considered to be “untouchable,” are the ones who need help the most.

            The second day I toured around Chennai. We travelled around in a rickshaw, also called a “tuck tuck,” and it’s probably the scariest method of transportation I have taken in a long time. It’s a three-wheeled vehicle; open sides, 4 passengers, but going the speed of all the cars and bikes around us. Crazy!

The last day I went on a three-day overnight trip to Varanasi, Agra, and Delhi, the Country’s capital. The first city we went to was Varanasi, the oldest city in the world dating back to over 2500 years ago. The city is most famously known for being the home of the Ganges Rivers. Walking towards the river was a surreal experience. As we walked through the old streets towards the river, we were surrounded by poverty.

I have never seen such extreme poverty in my life; kids crying, people missing limbs, or disfigured, grown men urinating on the side of the road . The sad part is that the ones who beg, who appear to be in dire need, are not at the bottom of the poverty scale. After being followed by a woman and her child, I decided to see what would happen if I gave her a granola bar, with a rip in the top. As I reached into my bag you could see her face light up. When she saw that I was holding a ripped package with a granola bar, she looked like I had just told her the world was going to end. All she wanted was money, a granola bar was worthless to her, not reselable because of the rip. The truly starving, who did not beg, would accept anything. I gave away bananas, half empty water bottles, and they accepted it all. The hardest part was choosing the right time and place to give, because if one child saw that another received something that they didn’t, it created animosity and tension. I saw them fighting over something so simple as a piece of bread.

Once we finally made it through the crowds to the river, we boarded a traditional river boat to set down the Ganges river by sunrise. We headed down the river, and I lit a candle to mark the journey, and placed it in the holy water. As we passed through the different Ghats you could see the shoreline flooding with religious ceremonies, and crowds running down to the water to bathe in the holy water. Even cremations take place on the Ganges river; it is a place for any holy ceremony. The water is sacred, even though it contains more dirt and filth than any body of water I have ever seen.

Ganges River, Candle Lighting

On the Ganges, Varanasi

The second highlight of the trip was visiting the fabled Taj Mahal, built in the 17^th century by an emperor of the Mughal Empire. The Taj is one of those things you read and fantasize about its beauty, but never think you will actually have the opportunity to visit. The fact that I did have the opportunity leaves me grateful. It is absolutely stunning, made entirely out of white marble; it truly is one of the wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal, Agra

India changed me, for the better. I am not exactly quite sure in what ways, or in what capacity, but I know it has made me a better person, more exposed to situations way different than mine. I have gained a new sense of appreciation.  Sometimes you feel so small and insignificant, and feel that no effort will have any impact at all. I have learned now, that the biggest mistake I can make is to think I cannot do enough, and end up doing nothing. I am beginning to understand, that any kind act can change a persons day, year, or life. 

Memories of Mauritius

Mauritius. Nothing more than a dot on the map between Africa and India; but a well worthwhile destination, and a good break from Sea. We only had the chance to visit the Island for a day, less than 12 hours, but it was a great day at that. Many people on Semester at Sea chose to go on catamaran’s, go to local beach bars, or just bars. Although fun, it sounded a little too Caribbean for me, and not an authentic enough experience.

            So what did I do instead?

                        …Canyoning

I didn’t know exactly what I had signed myself up for, and although it also begins with a “C,” I assumed it was far enough away from the catamaran experience. Once we arrived at port, the 14 of us headed to Tamarind Falls, and to the best of my knowledge we would be doing some type of repelling or climbing at the falls. Upon arriving, we had to sign a liability waiver, which was the first sign that what I was about to do, was not a standard activity. It wasn’t until I walked throught the forest, down the river, to the top of a Plateau looking out over the land below, that I realized I would be propelling down a 130 ft waterfall. They normally start beginners off with the 30 ft waterfall, but in the interest of time it was, “go big or go home.” And BIG it was. I have never been so terrified of heights in my life.

When it was finally my turn to “repel,” down the waterfall I turned to the man who sent us off and asked, “is it normal to be scared right now.” He replied, “Fear is a good thing, we would not live if it was not for fear. The only time fear is bad is when you let it take your mind over matter.” It seemed to be pretty rational advice, coming from a professional canyoner, so I made the descent down the falls.

In total it took me about 5 minutes to scale down,  and to break it down, the 5 minutes went like this:

0:01- I shouldn’t be doing this. Why am I doing this?

0:03- Why didn’t I Google “canyoning,” before signing up for Canyoning?

0:30- “Mind over Matter”

1:00- This is easy!

1:30- Oh look! There’s a 130 ft waterfall beside me.

4:45- Done already?

5:00- Well that was fun, but I think that’s a “been there, done that,” activity

Overall, It was a great experience, but my favorite part was zip lining from the bottom of the waterfall, another 40ft down, to the water basin below.

Canyoning Crew, Tamarind Falls

            At the end of the day, I returned to the ship with my canyoning crew with memories I could never forget, and I reunited with the catamaran crew, with memories they didn’t remember.

Next stop. India.