<p>My S called today saying he might spend next January interim in Cambodia. Last I heard he was talking about Australia. </p>
<p>We know almost nothing about Cambodia. So any tips? I don’t know which city the college goes to or anything yet. But I’m thinking about things like places to see or stay away from…that kind of thing. </p>
<p>TIA </p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>I spent a year working in a Khmer refugee camp on the Thai-Cambodian border 25 years ago. The Khmer Rouge notwithstanding, there are no more beautiful or gentle people on earth, and the Khmer language is relatively easy to learn to speak (although not write…I never learned to write it).</p>
<p>I haven’t been back since, but it is my understanding that the beautiful country, which was prosperous for many centuries before its troubles, is rebuilding. Nearly all the universities are located in Phnom Penh, the capital. I know it is natural to worry about a son going to a country you know little about…my own mother was less than thrilled with my trip. Why not start by learning as much as you can about Cambodia? Wikipedia is a good place to begin.</p>
<p>thanks 
I’m actually not really any more worried about him going there than I would be if he went to any other country I hadn’t been to.
I knew some people who were Thai (they owned a Thai restaurant I used to go to all the time in Seattle) and they had a couple employees who were Cambodian. I also worked with a high school kid who was Cambodian. Just in that limited experience I have to say they were always smiling, happy, friendly people.</p>
<p>Cambodia is lovely. Presumably, the college trip leader has a copy of the newest ‘Lonely Planet Cambodia Travel Book’. It has some great info on what to see and which areas to steer clear of. Also, it has important tips on culture (dress modestly, etc.) We went to Siem Reap and Phenom Penh last year (spring break), and it was the best vacation we have had in Asia. The temples of Angkor Wat (near Siem Reap) are something that everyone should see. We spent mornings touring the temples; after lunch, cooled off in the hotel pool (it is HOT); and afternoons back to look at more temples. They will have a great trip. True, Australia is also a wonderful place to visit, but he can go there on his own, another time. Cambodia is better seen with a knowledgeable tour guide, which the school is sure to have. What a great opportunity!</p>
<p>My d. was there two summers ago (whne she was 17), traveling on her own. She flew into Siem Reap (next to Angkor Wat) where there are dozens of wonderful hotels and restaurants, then traveled down river to Phnom Penh (she says to avoid the fried spiders sold along the trip unless you’re in the mood for something really crunchy.) My adopted brother is a child psychiatrist retraining the entire child mental health workforce with Caritas Cambodia, and my best friend from grad school runs AIDS hospices there.</p>
<p>In Phnom Penh, the best way to travel is to rent a bicycle. My d. says don’t change money - everyone prefers U.S. dollars.</p>
<p>thanks also to karen and mini! </p>
<p>I’ll pass the info on to S.</p>
<p>Not yet, but planning for July.</p>
<p>Well it appears the last time his school did an interim in Cambodia was 2005. I looked at their schedule for that session and they fly into Bangkok. They go to Phnom Phen, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat. The whole trip was January 5th-28th. I looked at their photos from the trip and they did a lot of touring! S said he could either take a history of the region class while there, or an engineering class (his major). </p>
<p>I wish I could go!!</p>
<p>I want to take the history of the region class! It is fascinating, and much of it is very sad. Oh, will the engineering class be on the construction of the Angkor Wat temples? That would be really interesting. We steered clear of the fried spiders and crickets, but it is a great use of resources - several crops from one field, plus the agriculture crop!</p>
<p>Cambodia is a great place to go - Angkor Wat is amazing - it will be a great trip and January is a great time to visit - we went in February last year. I’m sure the school will prepare them well - one thing we opted not to do that we probably should have is to take a malaria prevention medication. It is a malaria region but we had heard that there weren’t mosquitoes that time of year & the medications have side effects and were very expensive. Imagine my panic the first night when my kids’ legs were eaten alive by mosquitoes at the outdoor restaurant - from then on we sprayed with repellent but better to be safe.</p>