The Journey(s) of Ian

Visit to NOPAHAA  (Northeastern Orphan and People Affected with Aids/HIV Association) My annual birthday fast approaching I made the decision to do what I now normally do, throw a party for a group of deserving and poor students. This time I was in the small town (pop. 13,000) of Stung Treng (“Stung Dray”) in north eastern Cambodia, near the Laos border. This seemed a suitable time to do my birthday thing.           I spoke to my local tour guide James, an enterprising fellow, who, after some thought and discussion, advised me that the best group to visit would be ‘across the river’, which is to say on the other side of the river from Stung Treng. At a village named ‘Thalla’. This is a school and orphanage for orphans and those children harmed by HIV. We also discussed what I should provide to the students. We settled upon a personal gift, a plastic bag containing: a writing pad, pen, pencil, rubber, a ruler, and a confectionary. For the group, fo...

A growing movement, amongst the digital cognoscenti, those who have embraced the digital era in all its glory and shortcomings, is to do away, as far as possible, with the physical, and lead a digital nomadic existence. This means different things to different people, but essentially, computers have allowed us to do away with such things as photographs, books, CDs, DVDs, even writing material. Even work and making money can be done from in front of one's computer. This means that we don't need large houses or places in which to store our 'stuff'. I can add that from an environmental perspective people, such as myself, who have chosen to do away, as far as possible, 'stuff', are good citizens—reducing our environmental impact footprint. So what have I done to reduce my 'stuff'. Currently, I am replacing my Olympus e510 dslr with a compact point and shoot camera, possibly the Sony DSC HX5, ~us$400. I am also going through my two bags of gear and dispos...

The Central Market. 1930s art deco. A sight. I was last in Phnom Penh three years ago, in 2007. At that time the city seemed quiet, a little empty, quiet at times. How things have changed in only three years! There are more cars, more people, and more noise in the city than before. The river front is a busy and upmarket area. There is a great deal of construction going on in the city, which is also expanding. It is a good change. People working to make their lives better. The National Museum. The University of Cambodia. Lofty goals. The Silver Pagoda, in the Royal Palace complex. The Royal Palace. I plan to spend a week here in Phnom Penh, seeing what is to be seen and relaxing, and doing some waymarking. From there I want to revisit some part of the country I saw three years ago, and to see some new areas. Christopher Howes Rd, named for a de-miner, killed by the Khmer Rouge. The Independence monument, at night (obviously). The currently vacant ...