UPDATE needed.
my upper lip smells strongly of butter. thank you corn on the cob. corn off the cob?
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
i'm never alone with a lucky strike cigarette
All of my favorite places in Vietnam have all had to do with the war. Today after getting back from staying at some random family's house in the Mekong Delta, I hit up the War Remnants Museum. Most of the pictures portrayed the atrocities committed by the United States against Vietnam, but they managed to give a bit of perspective from America's side in war photography room. There they displayed photographs that ended up in various publications, such as those taken for Life Magazine by Larry Burrows. After, I ended up getting some of the GIs lighters, but was too uncomfortable getting dog tags or anything too personal like that after having been through the museum. I actually would have liked to get a hold of some of their clothing, but not possible. Walking away from the museum and army surplus market all excited with my findings, the most uncomfortable encounter I've had with a stranger occurred. I've seen some pretty down and out beggars in Asia in the past and have had to look children in the eyes and deny buying goods from them even though their parents make $60 a month for about 8 people. I know a lot of how I feel about this experience is completely one-sided and the man never intended for me to feel this way, but I can't help it after having JUST been through that museum and gathered more information on what happened here over 30 years ago. A man with no arms came up to me and asked where I'm from. "America" barely escaped my mouth as I realized he's missing his arms because of where I was born. I realize I hold no responsibility for what happened, but my country still involves itself in fucked up things, yet still expects the civilians of other nations to take responsibility for how their countries have conducted themselves. He then graciously asked if I wanted to buy one of the books he was selling, but really, I can't carry around another book, and I would rather support a large organization helping a lot of people than just one individual who can spend the money numerous ineffective ways.
I'm still processing a lot of what I saw right now and still haven't completely been able to think through the evidence of the Khmer Rouge, such as the Killing Fields and S-21 Prison. I'll have to get to all of this later, because really, it's a lot to take in. At least it's giving me a lot of perspective in the area of memory and how I can view some of the art from this area and start creating my own works of memory.
I'm still processing a lot of what I saw right now and still haven't completely been able to think through the evidence of the Khmer Rouge, such as the Killing Fields and S-21 Prison. I'll have to get to all of this later, because really, it's a lot to take in. At least it's giving me a lot of perspective in the area of memory and how I can view some of the art from this area and start creating my own works of memory.
like a crazy bunch of devils
hey you got girlfriend vietnam? mesohornymeloveyoulongtime.
riiight, so now that i'm in nam, i can't stop thinking about apocalypse now, full metal jacket, etc. i'm totally loving this socialist country and feeling the same glorious sun ho chi minh once did. after this, i won't be too surprised when customs pulls me aside on my way back into the US and another red scare gets going. i mean, obviously they know about my potential skills as a dictator and who better to start a revolution for something that hasn't worked in the past than a 5'0" white girl from the suburbs of california?
it turns out i'm on completely private tours for the whole of vietnam, so i'm on my own except in the mornings when i'm visiting places. finally, i can go where i want when i want, not have to walk so damn slow, and get attention by showing off my beaver.
i don't know how this trip can get much better than today. i got to play war at the cu chi tunnels!!! i may have been playing war with myself, but damn it was fun. i held a meeting with my fellow cu chi guerillas, avoided mines and bamboo traps, and totally owned my ak-47 (thank you soviets). before entering the tunnels, a video was put on that was made just after the war. it's about time i heard things from a different perspective. vietnam may have been the winners, but they didn't really write the history of the war as the winners tend to do. honestly, i think the war was mentioned briefly in a paragraph of my american history textbook and we mostly focused on john lennon and the hippies. then again, my american history class consisted of eating, going to starbucks for my teacher, and passing the smart kid's test around. oh yeah, the movie! hahahah "they were like a crazy bunch of devils, shooting pots and pans, the ground, even buddha statues!" "they wanted to see cu chi a dead city, but it will never die!" "she became an american killer hero" "we honor him for killing the most americans. he was the first american killer hero!" i know it's not funny that men died, but this movie portrayed everything in such an anti american fashion, i couldn't help but laugh. the other thing i appreciated about the tunnels is that i really had the opportunity to see why we lost. the tunnels are an absolutely brilliant system. the town survived entirely underground. there were schools, doctors, lounges, everything anyone could ever want. they went all the way to cambodia at one point and certain points emptied into the river for easy gettaways. in the off chance an american did find an entrance to a tunnel, he wouldn't fit inside or he would be caught in one of the brilliantly hidden traps. these guys would step on a pile of leaves and next thing they knew, they were impaled on bamboo sticks or getting their legs amputated from landing on a fish trap. not only were the vietnamese much more resourceful, but they were so damn determined. i think the film puts it best, "little girls became soldiers to seek revenge on the american enemies who killed their fathers." i did some other stuff today, but it all im'pales' in comparison to the cu chi tunnels.
i'm so in love with se asia right now. it might have to do with all the flattery that is surely an ego boost, even though it's only due to the fact that i'm really white and have blue eyes, neither of which i can control. seriously though, the people are incredible. everyone i've come across in these three countries is helpful, friendly, and always smiling. it feels good to be away from the anxiety of la freeways and in a place where people actually appreciate things. when i was riding through lao, kids would run out of their shacks on stilts and wave, yell hello, and put their little hands out for high fives. i may have an intense dislike for american children and yes, i still don't really like them anywhere overall, but it's hard not to smile when those little guys are beaming with excitement. even the adults would wave, smile, and make me feel welcome. i know i'm not all that sensitive, but it really just felt nice. ahh man, now i'm all weirded out i have this blog thing. whatevs, it keeps me from getting too homesick. woah, all these weird things i never feel! homesick, 'nice'?!?! i've never been homesick before, but i totally miss california and my friends. despite that, i'm not letting that get in the way of enjoying every single second here and taking advantage of every opportunity. off to the streets of ho chi minh!!
riiight, so now that i'm in nam, i can't stop thinking about apocalypse now, full metal jacket, etc. i'm totally loving this socialist country and feeling the same glorious sun ho chi minh once did. after this, i won't be too surprised when customs pulls me aside on my way back into the US and another red scare gets going. i mean, obviously they know about my potential skills as a dictator and who better to start a revolution for something that hasn't worked in the past than a 5'0" white girl from the suburbs of california?
it turns out i'm on completely private tours for the whole of vietnam, so i'm on my own except in the mornings when i'm visiting places. finally, i can go where i want when i want, not have to walk so damn slow, and get attention by showing off my beaver.
i don't know how this trip can get much better than today. i got to play war at the cu chi tunnels!!! i may have been playing war with myself, but damn it was fun. i held a meeting with my fellow cu chi guerillas, avoided mines and bamboo traps, and totally owned my ak-47 (thank you soviets). before entering the tunnels, a video was put on that was made just after the war. it's about time i heard things from a different perspective. vietnam may have been the winners, but they didn't really write the history of the war as the winners tend to do. honestly, i think the war was mentioned briefly in a paragraph of my american history textbook and we mostly focused on john lennon and the hippies. then again, my american history class consisted of eating, going to starbucks for my teacher, and passing the smart kid's test around. oh yeah, the movie! hahahah "they were like a crazy bunch of devils, shooting pots and pans, the ground, even buddha statues!" "they wanted to see cu chi a dead city, but it will never die!" "she became an american killer hero" "we honor him for killing the most americans. he was the first american killer hero!" i know it's not funny that men died, but this movie portrayed everything in such an anti american fashion, i couldn't help but laugh. the other thing i appreciated about the tunnels is that i really had the opportunity to see why we lost. the tunnels are an absolutely brilliant system. the town survived entirely underground. there were schools, doctors, lounges, everything anyone could ever want. they went all the way to cambodia at one point and certain points emptied into the river for easy gettaways. in the off chance an american did find an entrance to a tunnel, he wouldn't fit inside or he would be caught in one of the brilliantly hidden traps. these guys would step on a pile of leaves and next thing they knew, they were impaled on bamboo sticks or getting their legs amputated from landing on a fish trap. not only were the vietnamese much more resourceful, but they were so damn determined. i think the film puts it best, "little girls became soldiers to seek revenge on the american enemies who killed their fathers." i did some other stuff today, but it all im'pales' in comparison to the cu chi tunnels.
i'm so in love with se asia right now. it might have to do with all the flattery that is surely an ego boost, even though it's only due to the fact that i'm really white and have blue eyes, neither of which i can control. seriously though, the people are incredible. everyone i've come across in these three countries is helpful, friendly, and always smiling. it feels good to be away from the anxiety of la freeways and in a place where people actually appreciate things. when i was riding through lao, kids would run out of their shacks on stilts and wave, yell hello, and put their little hands out for high fives. i may have an intense dislike for american children and yes, i still don't really like them anywhere overall, but it's hard not to smile when those little guys are beaming with excitement. even the adults would wave, smile, and make me feel welcome. i know i'm not all that sensitive, but it really just felt nice. ahh man, now i'm all weirded out i have this blog thing. whatevs, it keeps me from getting too homesick. woah, all these weird things i never feel! homesick, 'nice'?!?! i've never been homesick before, but i totally miss california and my friends. despite that, i'm not letting that get in the way of enjoying every single second here and taking advantage of every opportunity. off to the streets of ho chi minh!!
Friday, June 27, 2008
ok lady, you buy??
sunburned, exhausted, and bruised like an overripe summer peach, i finally finished my tour de lao. 500 km in 6 days through the southern and least populated part of the country. after the first day and a half or so, that bike definitely became my shangri la-it was tough parting with my mobile paradise. having hours on end to sit with myself (albeit, huffing and puffing and spinning my legs over and over) was quite satisfying. riding through the forest, past waterfalls and rice paddies was the visual burst i needed after the dull massachusetts winter i survived and the sights of california ive been familiar with for 19 years. one strange afternoon, i focused my vision down the line i planned to ride and alighted on what looked like a butterfly graveyard. butterflies colored in every pattern imaginable were dead and flopping back and forth from the wind along a perfectly straight line. no one else on my trip seemed to notice this, even though it was quite apparent and overwhelming, at least to myself. i'm not sure what it means for me. despite the fact i tend to be in my own head most of the time anyway, there were no distractions along this ride and i had the opportunity to let my brain see what it wanted and for my thoughts to go every direction possible. for some reason (okay maybe it's the fact that i have an undying fascination with dictators and that ive been in potentially, formerly, and still sort of communist countries) i keep hallucinating little khmer rouge hats and scarves or castro berets on all the hardworking, benefitting trails of ants i come across. one such group had larger ants literally standing along the trail observing the workers, who will never gather to start a revoultion to the dismay of my fantasies, as they carried at least 10 times their weight back to the masses. my interest in revolutions and dictators and the sort definitely results from preschool habits. i attempted a coup or two in those days over the administration and was at least successful in running the playground. my authority was actually quite organized, unlike the damn khmer rouge that just went around all over the place causing destruction. if i wanted the tire swing, i got it and all the kids went by my rules on that playground with the big yellow slide.
the rest of my time in cambodia was well spent. it consisted of 2 days at the angkor complex looking at temples and creaming my pants in excitement from being surrounded by such art and architechture. the first day, i arrived at angkor wat in time to see the sunrise still quite drunk from having previously been at angkor what? bar in siem reap. even though i felt like shit, i was more than happy to be there to see the sunrise above the temple with the reflection of both rippling from a slight breeze in the pool of water situated perfectly before it. angkor wat may be the largest and most famous temple in the area, but my favorite was 30km away. carved from red sandstone and dedicated to the most advanced species on the planet, women, banteay srei is the pinnacle of khmer art and architecture to me. each carving is abundant in detail and the depictions of the kala, siva, and the sort seriously made me go crazy with excitement. i know, i know, i get too nerdy about this stuff sometimes. but seriously, who needs sex when you have se asian art almost in its entirety, right where its supposed to be all around you?!?! riiiight, most of you, huh?
well, i need to gather my things and head to the other airport here in bangkok to make my flight to vietnam. ahh, i can't wait to feel the spirit of ho chi minh all around me!!
postscript: the beaver is really having a fabulous time and looks forward to sharing pictures. more importantly, he might actually be getting a name! since he's not entirely mine (my other beaver is and always will be only mine to make the distinction clear) i have to check with the other owner. hmm, i think i have to let it slip. he might as well be named mr. beaverbrook. i mean, not a bad historical figure to be named after. plus, he was canadian, i'm canadian by association, beavers are pretty damn rampant in canada. he's also mentioned in the main song that got me through the tough parts of the bike ride. mr. churchill says made me figure that if those men could fight the battle to the bloody end, i could get my numb ass up a hill at the end of the day.
the rest of my time in cambodia was well spent. it consisted of 2 days at the angkor complex looking at temples and creaming my pants in excitement from being surrounded by such art and architechture. the first day, i arrived at angkor wat in time to see the sunrise still quite drunk from having previously been at angkor what? bar in siem reap. even though i felt like shit, i was more than happy to be there to see the sunrise above the temple with the reflection of both rippling from a slight breeze in the pool of water situated perfectly before it. angkor wat may be the largest and most famous temple in the area, but my favorite was 30km away. carved from red sandstone and dedicated to the most advanced species on the planet, women, banteay srei is the pinnacle of khmer art and architecture to me. each carving is abundant in detail and the depictions of the kala, siva, and the sort seriously made me go crazy with excitement. i know, i know, i get too nerdy about this stuff sometimes. but seriously, who needs sex when you have se asian art almost in its entirety, right where its supposed to be all around you?!?! riiiight, most of you, huh?
well, i need to gather my things and head to the other airport here in bangkok to make my flight to vietnam. ahh, i can't wait to feel the spirit of ho chi minh all around me!!
postscript: the beaver is really having a fabulous time and looks forward to sharing pictures. more importantly, he might actually be getting a name! since he's not entirely mine (my other beaver is and always will be only mine to make the distinction clear) i have to check with the other owner. hmm, i think i have to let it slip. he might as well be named mr. beaverbrook. i mean, not a bad historical figure to be named after. plus, he was canadian, i'm canadian by association, beavers are pretty damn rampant in canada. he's also mentioned in the main song that got me through the tough parts of the bike ride. mr. churchill says made me figure that if those men could fight the battle to the bloody end, i could get my numb ass up a hill at the end of the day.
Friday, June 13, 2008
news of the day-the cambodian king is gay
i have decided that a travel blog is pretty necessary for me right now. while this southeast asia excursion is probably my last big vacation for a while, it's pretty intense and there is so much to talk about, but no one to talk about it all with. this really is my personal experience in every way as only certain moments are shared with the random people i come across. also, a place to exhibit all of the photos of the beaver has been necessary for quite some time now.
in case you're unfamiliar with the beaver, it's a somewhat realistic beaver puppet that was given to my friend takuji for his birthday. somehow, he ended up going to concerts with us and then to india with me last summer for my himalaya trek and delhi belly experience. i won't be able to post pictures of his previous and current adventures for about a month, but be sure that they will not disappoint.
phnom penh has been realllyyyy weirdly interesting so far. the first few days i was constipated and just as i thought it was time to let it all out, i had to get up, turn around and let it out my entry only hole, my mouth. oh come on, you know you're used to my inappropriate oversharing by now and don't worry, everything has evened itself out. when i signed up for this portion of my trip, i thought i would only be doing about 2 days of bullshit volunteering, but it turns out i volunteered myself for 5 days of teaching english to children. at first i sort of had an issue with this as i've never been a fan of the white man spreading his ways and more pertient to myself, stealing art from other nations and selling it in fancy galleries for ridiculous amounts of money. right so galleries have nothing to do with teaching, but all in all, the white man usually does shitty things like bring syphillis to america. although, if you're jeffrey amherst bringing the syph to mass. you get one of the best colleges in the nation named after you. oh my digressions...the other issue was that i really and truly dislike children. what i do appreciate about them is seeing how their minds work creatively, their interpretations and views of art and life, and seeing how their minds can be shaped in so many different ways. thinking about that, i decided this could actually turn out to be an enjoyable experience as i could impart my senses on to them through drawing, etc. and see what they come up with. also, i came to realize that unfortunately, learning english is a truly valuable skill for them as it will allow them to get better jobs when they get older and hopefully help their families move away from the shacks they share with numerous other families. my previous volunteer experience has always been with the environment and animals as i feel that without either of those, there will be no children to help out.
on my way to the school the first day, i noticed that the living conditions seemed pretty terrible, but then i bothered to look inside a couple living quarters and noticed giant tvs, fancy stereo systems, and most importantly, happy and appreciative people. i'm running out of time, so without too much detail, working with these kids has been a great experience (despite the fact some kid took a dump on the floor 2 days in a row) and it's bittersweet that today is the last day. since memory is the main theme in my creative endeavours, all i can think about is the fact that these children, the drawings they made for me, and the experience i shared with them will stay with me for a lifetime, but in a couple weeks they will most likely forget all about me and be enthralled by their new teacher. i still have trouble addressing children, acknowledging the fact they're human beings, and usually end up using words such as 'it' and 'this one' to refer to them, but i can now appreciate and understand why they can be little assholes sometimes and not get so frustrated.
moving away from that experience, i have to brag about the fact that i ate tarantula last night. i was expecting crispy bits that did not necessarily resemble a spider, but was handed a plate with three giant tarantulas that looked as though they could get up and scurry away. taking a closer look, i noticed little hairs and fangs. to prepare them, the live spiders are simply thrown in a frier and served with some lemon juice with salt and pepper on the side. after the beaver took a bite, i decided it was my turn. picking it up had to have been the worst part, but since i had been so bold and announced to everyone the first day that i would eat tarantula, i had to eat it. after some breathing and a couple sips of my mangosteen daquiri, it was time to experience the delicacy. anyway, i 'eight' a tarantula, got the second and biggest bite on a film that is sure to be my 'leg'acy and i will put it on the 'web' later.
well, it's time to ride my bike to my last day at the school. lucky for me, i have the perfect soundtrack, brian wilson's original recordings for smile, making its way through my brain thanks to a friend.
in case you're unfamiliar with the beaver, it's a somewhat realistic beaver puppet that was given to my friend takuji for his birthday. somehow, he ended up going to concerts with us and then to india with me last summer for my himalaya trek and delhi belly experience. i won't be able to post pictures of his previous and current adventures for about a month, but be sure that they will not disappoint.
phnom penh has been realllyyyy weirdly interesting so far. the first few days i was constipated and just as i thought it was time to let it all out, i had to get up, turn around and let it out my entry only hole, my mouth. oh come on, you know you're used to my inappropriate oversharing by now and don't worry, everything has evened itself out. when i signed up for this portion of my trip, i thought i would only be doing about 2 days of bullshit volunteering, but it turns out i volunteered myself for 5 days of teaching english to children. at first i sort of had an issue with this as i've never been a fan of the white man spreading his ways and more pertient to myself, stealing art from other nations and selling it in fancy galleries for ridiculous amounts of money. right so galleries have nothing to do with teaching, but all in all, the white man usually does shitty things like bring syphillis to america. although, if you're jeffrey amherst bringing the syph to mass. you get one of the best colleges in the nation named after you. oh my digressions...the other issue was that i really and truly dislike children. what i do appreciate about them is seeing how their minds work creatively, their interpretations and views of art and life, and seeing how their minds can be shaped in so many different ways. thinking about that, i decided this could actually turn out to be an enjoyable experience as i could impart my senses on to them through drawing, etc. and see what they come up with. also, i came to realize that unfortunately, learning english is a truly valuable skill for them as it will allow them to get better jobs when they get older and hopefully help their families move away from the shacks they share with numerous other families. my previous volunteer experience has always been with the environment and animals as i feel that without either of those, there will be no children to help out.
on my way to the school the first day, i noticed that the living conditions seemed pretty terrible, but then i bothered to look inside a couple living quarters and noticed giant tvs, fancy stereo systems, and most importantly, happy and appreciative people. i'm running out of time, so without too much detail, working with these kids has been a great experience (despite the fact some kid took a dump on the floor 2 days in a row) and it's bittersweet that today is the last day. since memory is the main theme in my creative endeavours, all i can think about is the fact that these children, the drawings they made for me, and the experience i shared with them will stay with me for a lifetime, but in a couple weeks they will most likely forget all about me and be enthralled by their new teacher. i still have trouble addressing children, acknowledging the fact they're human beings, and usually end up using words such as 'it' and 'this one' to refer to them, but i can now appreciate and understand why they can be little assholes sometimes and not get so frustrated.
moving away from that experience, i have to brag about the fact that i ate tarantula last night. i was expecting crispy bits that did not necessarily resemble a spider, but was handed a plate with three giant tarantulas that looked as though they could get up and scurry away. taking a closer look, i noticed little hairs and fangs. to prepare them, the live spiders are simply thrown in a frier and served with some lemon juice with salt and pepper on the side. after the beaver took a bite, i decided it was my turn. picking it up had to have been the worst part, but since i had been so bold and announced to everyone the first day that i would eat tarantula, i had to eat it. after some breathing and a couple sips of my mangosteen daquiri, it was time to experience the delicacy. anyway, i 'eight' a tarantula, got the second and biggest bite on a film that is sure to be my 'leg'acy and i will put it on the 'web' later.
well, it's time to ride my bike to my last day at the school. lucky for me, i have the perfect soundtrack, brian wilson's original recordings for smile, making its way through my brain thanks to a friend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
