Stories in Cambodia Part 1
I manage to hear a variety of stories from people here. I don’t know why it is but people will stop and talk to me. I’ve managed to get a few different stories. A few from Khmer people that have felt they should tell me their life stories and a few expats that feel I should know theirs. I don’t know why it is. Maybe I am a good listener. It’s definitely not me telling them my story. I decided to start writing these up and will publish some every so often.
I will abstract some of the details and there are no photos of people since I respect their privacy. I won’t use their names but an initial just to help me write and to keep them anonymous.
S tells me her story
Today while sitting on a curb during my walk a rather attractive Khmer woman asked if she could sit with me. She said she had seen me sitting there before eating bread or mangos and felt drawn to tell me her story. She lives outside of Siem Reap in a province north of Siem Reap province. They come down to the city every so often so she can see her daughter and son-in-law. She is one of 10 siblings and has almost as many children herself. She’s had two Khmer husbands and both have gone. She told me that Khmer men for the most part have disappointed her. They seem not able to respect her, love her, be with her. She never wanted a rich person but a person that would live with her, love her, help her. She asked if that seemed unreasonable. Now she helps other people with issues feed their kids. Meanwhile, I think she is lonely and would like a person in her life. Khmer women are very dedicated and want a partner for life. The women often manage the family finances, take care of the house, do all the daily care of the kids and sometimes work as well.
S told me she felt disappointed with life and would like someone romantically involved with her that would give her love and respect. Be there for her no matter what. She also told me she was upset about politics here and how the government manages things. The whole border issue with Thailand bothers many Khmer people. They want to be able to cross the border and see friends and even family living across some abstract line drawn. She also complained about the American president and thinks he has no idea what he’s doing these days. I try to not be involved with Cambodian politics because I am a visitor and guest here and I have no right to complain or demean whatever happens here. I told her while I understood the problems many Khmer have with their government I had no real insight into things. I do however have feelings about the Thai government. The whole border crossing thing just hurts normal people that wish to cross and it’s a bargaining chip. I don’t trust the Thai government as far as I could throw them. I’ll never go back to Thailand and I blame the government and not the people. S agreed and said she wished the two governments would act like two families and just talk out their differences and stop shooting and closing things.
Her daughter then pulled up on her moto and we shook hands and she told me “akun” for talking to her and she wished me happiness in life. The daughter smiled and said hello and both had a lot of groceries to feed people in their province and S said they were leaving on the moto to go back.
This whole thing was rather troubling for me and I felt sad a person that seemed to have so much to do in life would have no partner to share it with. She had told me she would not complain about Khmer men but some seemed weak and irresponsible to her.
they left and I left
I waved as they drove away and some things seemed interesting and rather depressing to me. Khmer women want someone with them to share the burden, someone they can dedicate their lives to, a friend and partner. S seemed kinda sad when talking about her family and the work chores she had taken on to help different kids get food to eat.
I really enjoyed our 30 minutes or so talking sitting on the curb. She was a sensitive and smart person that just wants something in her life. She told me she felt my wife was lucky to have me. I don’t know about that part. I think sometimes I irritate and frustrate my wife with how I am.
Then I walked back to the house. Another walk that I loved done. I had finished my bread that cost all of $0.25 for a loaf. I ate a red dragon fruit half and decided I wanted to do some writing. I’ve been fortunate to meet some different Khmer and expat people.
continuing this...
I’ll figure out another person I want to write on. I remember more than a few I have met from a Khmer woman owning a coffee shack, to my friend M here, to a few expats. Life has been this rich unfolding of stories. My khmer family has their stories too. Some of that seems too close sometimes. I feel like most of that has no real ending. I have also met some Khmer people through my wife. Those times have been both interesting and trying. I’ve come away realizing that as close as many of the people are to my wife, I can never find the same or want to. Besides with my daughter here. I needed one person to talk my story to and my daughter here is the one person.