Cambodia

So far the fact finding mission to Cambodia has been fruitful. Right now in Kampot, a more of less abandoned French colonial enclave with wide boulevards and beautiful French architecture. A very laid back atmosphere, one that would suit future relocation considerations.

Sihanoukville was an odd place--sort of an array of accomodations, restaurants and bars that don't quite fit the surrounding area. A pleasant surprise is the Pyongyang Friendship restaurant that featured North Korean gals that served up the food and then provided a dinner show of song and dance. Very cute. The thing about socialist countries is the aesthetic tends to be pure and sweet (sappy for us cynical western folk). I recall in the mid-70s looking at art from the People's Republic of China and noticed the themes were quaint and somewhat wholesome--village scenes of guys and gals marching around waving banners. These real-life Apsaras from North Korea were real gems. It must be quite the thing to get the opportunity to work in Cambodia from North Korea, although the gals intimated they found Sihanoukville boring. The gals spoke broken English but it was passable. They were very charming indeed. Apsaras in the real sense-- objects of an idealized beauty. Divine!

We went up to Bokor for a nice view from the top of the mountain and the ruins of a French ballroom and casino. It must have been quite the place in its prime (probably from the 1930s to 1950s).

Tomorrow is onto Kep, which is a beach town like Vung Tau in Vietnam--a place where the well-heeled French colonialists kicked-back and relaxed in the heyday of French rule in Southeast Asia. This is another spot we want to investigate for relocation.