Archive for 2007

The Hurried Monk

Posted in buddhism, cambodge, cambodia on Nov 11th, 2007

Phnom Penh: I'm having an early afternoon bowl of noodle soup when a monk walks into the restaurant, plops this plastic 'amulet' on my table and tries to sign me up on his donations list. Apparently for the building of a temple. He doesn't respond to any Khmer language inquiries. Naturally ...

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My Halloween Costume

Posted in Other Goodies, stuff on Nov 10th, 2007

this year was a Yeak mask, based on the Lakhon Khaol designs. Yeaks tend to take the bad guy role in a lot of Khmer legends, and while they aren't inherently bad, they seem to have a predisposition to making mistakes and causing problems. This is a cheap paper maché version sold ...

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Cropped Top

Posted in buddhism, environment, photography, urbanization on Nov 9th, 2007

Why is this tree sporting an orange sash? Tree ordination is a way of sanctifying (and protecting) a tree, and is becoming a more common practice in Cambodia and Thailand. In cultures with deep animist roots, this also seems to be one subtle way for Buddhism to co-opt earlier traditions. Many ...

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Imaging ‘Ouk’

Posted in photography, visual art on Nov 8th, 2007

Here's prolific photographer Vandy Rattana at Sala Arts taking some pictures at the opening of 'Flow'. Tonight he has his own show at New Art Gallery, 'Chess'. More about Khmer Chess? Click for rules and computer game. Link More art stuff? Try 'What's On'. Tags:photo,photograpy,cambodia,khmer

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From Socialism to Environmentalism

Posted in information technology, more stuff, Other Goodies, signs, visual art on Nov 7th, 2007

Painted signboards are still in use in Cambodia today, and during the more austere socialist era of the 1980s, they were one of the more effective tools for public media. Today they are mainly used by nonprofits and the government. (Businesses use more slick photo billboards.) This particular sign bears the ...

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