[Faidenk]

Living In Cambodia Pt 1

Well, we’ve more or less settled in to some semblance of a ‘life’ in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. There are ways to go, with much obstacles along the path.

First, why, you may ask, am I even here? As I look at it, there are simply not many alternatives for me. If you are in your 40’s, you hate being called ‘Uncle’ by your neighborhood fishmonger’s wife, who may even be older than you! You feel you’re not old enough to be addressed so, and you’re certainly not focking related in any way. Well, I am at that age ‘uncle’ sounds a lot more acceptable than Ah Pek. And the girls in Singapore? You so out of the market it’s like you’re born old to them. Thankfully, bless their cute little hearts, Khmer girls hold no such prejudice.

Second, you’re out of the job market as well. A baby boomer and not a particularly motivated student, no degree, no specialized skills with the exception of years in the electronics components sales and marketing segment, several years living in Europe, Australia and China, these are no material for even a mediocre CV.

So, therein lies my predicament. Remain in Singapore and I’ll be looking at whatever is left of my productive life as a security guard or a taxi driver. I seem to fall through every crack in the government’s sieving machine for handouts, I don’t qualify to be included in that class of citizens the govt wants to ‘help’ with the increase in GST, living in a HDB 5 roomer; it’s a depressing state of limbo to be in.

A couple of years, a close friend (LN) I know from the NS stint, told me about Cambodia. He has some friends there. Always eager to see new places and since a visit is well within my meager budget, I asked to tag along on his next trip. We did the tourist thing, Angkor Wat, the beaches at Sihanoukville, the casinos before they closed, the nightlife. I left out the torture chambers and the Killing Fields, life is too short for such depressing monuments to death and human depravity. I acknowledge it, and hope such degeneracy happens not again.

I returned 4 more times. It’s a time I get away from the wife who is, understandably so, less than happy with my inability to hold down a job, and my pre-teen boy, who is starting to give me lips (reminds me so much of myself). Apparently some of the wife’s sentiments have rubbed off and he occasionally let slip, but he’s a good boy and I’m proud of him. OMG, I’ve become a bum. But I digress.