Sunday, July 06, 2008
One Dollaaahhh.......
"One dollar... One dollar..."
I went to Siem Reap in Cambodia and spent three days in the city. Wherever you go, there were kids asking for one dollar in exchange of postcards, drinks, fruits and even for just taking a photo of them. They were even selling Lonely Planet books for just 5 dollars! When we were passing through the floating village and there were small boats with moms carrying their kids (with a snake around them) and asking for one dollar. I didn't understand it clearly at the start only to realize they were having the same phrase as if singing a song.
After awhile you just get tired and try to avoid them, since they are in every temple you go to in Siem Reap. Then at one instance I just told the kid I'll come back for it, then she said "Lady, make sure you come back or else you make me cry." I couldn't help but laugh but be impressed on such unique statement, she will definitely go far among her friends. She's probably only 6-7 years old, studying in the morning then helping her parents in the afternoon. I guess the charisma of the kids make it easier for them to sell the items since your initial instinct will be to just buy whatever they have, it's just one dollar anyway. Then you start to think why at such a very young age they have to work instead of just enjoying their childhood and playing in the streets. Then again, at least they are still given the opportunity to study in the morning when their parents may actually demand them to just work all day.
That's just a bit of Cambodia that I experienced. Apart from the ancient temples and floating villages, the country has something more that you have to experience while interacting with the people and knowing more about their personal experiences.
I went to Siem Reap in Cambodia and spent three days in the city. Wherever you go, there were kids asking for one dollar in exchange of postcards, drinks, fruits and even for just taking a photo of them. They were even selling Lonely Planet books for just 5 dollars! When we were passing through the floating village and there were small boats with moms carrying their kids (with a snake around them) and asking for one dollar. I didn't understand it clearly at the start only to realize they were having the same phrase as if singing a song.
After awhile you just get tired and try to avoid them, since they are in every temple you go to in Siem Reap. Then at one instance I just told the kid I'll come back for it, then she said "Lady, make sure you come back or else you make me cry." I couldn't help but laugh but be impressed on such unique statement, she will definitely go far among her friends. She's probably only 6-7 years old, studying in the morning then helping her parents in the afternoon. I guess the charisma of the kids make it easier for them to sell the items since your initial instinct will be to just buy whatever they have, it's just one dollar anyway. Then you start to think why at such a very young age they have to work instead of just enjoying their childhood and playing in the streets. Then again, at least they are still given the opportunity to study in the morning when their parents may actually demand them to just work all day.
That's just a bit of Cambodia that I experienced. Apart from the ancient temples and floating villages, the country has something more that you have to experience while interacting with the people and knowing more about their personal experiences.
